Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a strong caution to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to refrain from interfering in the upcoming governorship election in Osun State. In a statement released on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, through his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric warned that any attempt by the Presidency to manipulate the electoral process could have grave consequences not only for the state but for the entire nation.
Primate Ayodele emphasised that the Osun State election is firmly in God's hands and must be allowed to reflect the genuine will of the people. He cautioned the Presidency against forcing any candidate on the people of Osun through illegal means, noting that such an act would ultimately backfire. According to the cleric, any effort to stop the will of God and that of the people from coming to pass in Osun State will negatively affect the entire country, including the President's own political ambitions.
In his statement, Primate Ayodele specifically linked the Osun governorship poll to the broader national political landscape, particularly the 2027 presidential election. He warned that meddling in the Osun election could trigger a national crisis that would ultimately harm President Tinubu's own aspirations for re-election. "President Tinubu must know that this election has a lot to do with the 2027 presidential election, and influencing it will create a national crisis. It's better to avoid it by staying away and let God's will be done," the statement read.
The spiritual leader urged the President to resist every temptation and counsel that might push him to have a hand in the outcome of the election. He stressed that it would not end well if the will of God and that of the people were influenced or changed through unlawful means. The warning comes as political activities intensify across Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. The All Progressives Congress has already constituted a 276-member National Campaign Council led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma to spearhead its campaign. The election is considered one of Nigeria's key off-cycle governorship polls and is being closely watched as a potential bellwether for future political battles.
Beyond his warning to the Presidency, Primate Ayodele also called on security agencies, particularly the Inspector-General of Police and the military, to deploy adequate personnel to Osun State to maintain peace and order. The cleric predicted that the election could be accompanied by serious violence, alleging that certain individuals and groups have already concluded plans to cause trouble during the poll. He warned that if not properly handled, the situation could degenerate into severe bloodshed. "Our security operatives must be on the ground during the election because I foresee serious crisis and violence. Some groups have decided and concluded plans to cause trouble in the course of the election, and this can lead to bloodshed if not well handled. The people must be protected at all costs; enough security operatives must be deployed," he said.
Turning his attention to the candidates, Primate Ayodele advised Governor Ademola Adeleke to prepare adequately for what he described as a fiercely contested election. He warned the Governor that the election would be characterised by money, violence and manipulation, and that his opponents were ready to take him out of the race. While expressing confidence that Adeleke was the right person for the people of Osun, the cleric cautioned that complacency could jeopardise his chances if he did not remain vigilant. "Governor Adeleke must prepare well; the election is going to look like war because his opposition is ready to take him out of the race. It will be an election of money, violence and manipulation. If he doesn't stand well and stay on alert, even though he is the right person for the people of Osun, he may be rigged out," he said.
For the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Primate Ayodele advised against engaging in dirty politics or violence. He stressed that no governorship seat was worth anyone's blood and appealed to the APC candidate and his followers to avoid violence during the election. "The governorship seat isn't a must; he shouldn't involve himself in violence or his followers because of the election. No life is worth being wasted because of the governorship position. Whatever the outcome is, take it in good faith," he said.
Primate Ayodele's intervention reflects his pattern of issuing faith-based guidance and warnings on major national events. Earlier this month, on July 5, 2026, he released the 32nd edition of his annual prophecy book, "Warnings To The Nations," in which he predicted that Governor Adeleke would win the Osun election but warned him to remain on top of the election process to prevent rigging. The Osun governorship election has drawn significant attention as a potential bellwether for future political battles in Nigeria. Governor Ademola Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party recently adopted President Bola Tinubu as their candidate for the 2027 presidential election. However, a faction of the Accord Party led by Prof. Chris Imumolen has reaffirmed its support for President Tinubu's administration while insisting that the decision does not amount to a merger with the APC. Primate Ayodele has made it clear that any attempt to interfere in the electoral process could have far-reaching consequences for the nation and for the President's own political future.
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