The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be cautious of some political associates, alleging that several individuals surrounding him may not be genuinely committed to his re-election bid.
On Friday, October 16, 2026, Ayodele issued the warning in a statement by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, following the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
The cleric questioned the sincerity of some individuals who attended the inauguration, alleging that their public displays of support might not reflect their actual intentions towards the President.
“The majority of the people at the inauguration don’t wish you well, Tinubu. They are just there for fun and to celebrate with bitterness,” Ayodele said.
He urged Tinubu to distinguish between genuine supporters and politicians who, he alleged, were primarily motivated by personal interests. Ayodele further cautioned the President against assuming that public endorsements and expressions of solidarity necessarily translate into genuine political commitment.
According to the cleric, some individuals within Tinubu’s circle could turn against him shortly before the 2027 presidential election. He also alleged that certain associates might prevent the President from receiving honest advice by pushing away people who genuinely want him to succeed.
Ayodele therefore urged Tinubu to pay closer attention to the intentions of those around him and identify individuals whose interests may conflict with his political ambitions.
The warning followed the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council by Tinubu on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The inauguration marked a significant step in the ruling party’s preparations for the 2027 general election, bringing together party leaders, governors, legislators and other political figures tasked with coordinating the President’s re-election campaign.
During the ceremony, Tinubu called on members of the council to demonstrate unity, discipline and commitment to the party’s electoral objectives. The President also challenged campaign council members to deliver votes in their respective wards, stressing that their contributions would ultimately be measured by their performance at the polls.
In his statement, Ayodele expressed reservations about the growing number of politicians defecting to the APC, warning that their arrival should not automatically be interpreted as an advantage for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He argued that some defectors could become a burden rather than strengthen the President’s electoral prospects.
“Even those defecting to the APC will be a burden on your re-election bid. Don’t celebrate it. It’s a means to cover your sight,” the cleric said.