Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has made another bold political statement, suggesting that an invitation extended to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by the United States could have serious implications for President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.
In a video shared on social media, the cleric spoke about potential political developments that could shape Nigeria’s future, particularly in relation to international influence and upcoming elections. His remarks have since attracted attention, with many Nigerians reacting to the strong claims.
Ayodele stated: “If they invite Atiku to America, then Tinubu should forget a second term — 100%.”
Atiku Abubakar is currently among the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidates preparing for the party’s primaries, as political alignments continue to take shape ahead of the next election cycle.
The statement suggests that such a development could signal a shift in political dynamics, especially regarding global perception and support. While the cleric did not provide further details to support the claim, his remarks have added to ongoing discussions about the role of international relationships in Nigeria’s political landscape.
In recent years, interactions between Nigerian political figures and global powers have often attracted scrutiny, with observers analyzing their potential impact on domestic politics. Ayodele’s comments appear to reflect this broader concern, suggesting that external factors could influence electoral outcomes.
Reactions to the statement have been mixed. Some Nigerians see it as a reflection of the importance of international recognition in politics, particularly in shaping public perception and diplomatic relations. Others, however, have dismissed the claim as speculative, arguing that electoral outcomes are determined primarily by internal factors such as governance, policies, and voter sentiment.
