Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a grave warning to the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigerian electorate, alleging that a coordinated plan is underway to deploy fake polling units and voting booths across the country during the 2027 general elections to manipulate results in favour of certain candidates. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, and made available to journalists on Sunday, August 23, 2026, the cleric claimed that unsuspecting voters could easily be misled by these fraudulent setups, which he said would be equipped with some electoral materials to appear legitimate. Ayodele warned that the rigging plans had already been formulated, with the establishment of fake polling units and booths, as well as the use of counterfeit electoral materials, allegedly forming part of a broader strategy to weaken the votes of targeted individuals and rig them out of the electoral process.
Primate Ayodele directed his message squarely at INEC, urging the electoral body to treat the threat as a matter of urgency before the situation spirals out of control. "For the upcoming election in Nigeria, I am seeing a lot of fake things regarding the election which the INEC must take seriously. I am seeing fake polling units and booths spread across the country to weaken the votes of some individuals and rig some people out," he declared. He warned that failure to address the development would negatively impact the credibility of the election and that public awareness would be critical in tackling the problem. "The commission must ensure they take this very seriously because it will have a negative effect on the election. Let the commission work hard in this area and ensure people are well-informed; if not, it will happen successfully," Ayodele cautioned.
The cleric also expressed deep concern about what he described as a lack of visible readiness from the electoral commission as the 2027 election draws closer. He described the expected presidential contest as unprecedented in its intensity and said INEC's current posture was insufficient for what lies ahead. "INEC hasn't shown readiness for this coming election. They don't know what is coming, but I want to urge the chairman to put his house in order and deliver a credible election because there will be issues if he doesn't. He will be affected personally. The election will be very tough, unlike the ones we have had in the past," Ayodele stated. His words carried a pointed message for INEC Chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, warning that failure to ensure a transparent election would carry personal consequences for him. "There will be issues if he doesn't. He will be affected personally," he said.
Ayodele's warning on fake polling units is the latest in a series of political prophecies he has issued concerning Nigeria's 2027 electoral landscape. Earlier in August 2026, he predicted that President Bola Tinubu would come under pressure to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the elections. He has also warned that the presidential election will be determined by INEC and the judiciary, while cautioning the INEC chairman against allowing himself to be used as "a sacrificial lamb" to favour anyone in the 2027 presidential election. In April 2026, Ayodele warned that the 2027 polls were capable of "ending" Amupitan's name.
The cleric's warnings have sparked reactions from political observers and civil society groups, with some expressing concern over the alleged plans to manipulate the electoral process. The increasing monetisation of Nigeria's elections and the potential misuse of state institutions have already posed serious threats to democratic integrity, and Ayodele's latest prophecy adds to the growing anxiety over the credibility of the 2027 polls. As of the time of this report, INEC had yet to publicly respond to Ayodele's allegations, though the commission has previously faced criticism over its preparedness for elections.
The warning on fake polling units comes amid broader concerns over the integrity of Nigeria's electoral process, with civil society organisations and opposition parties expressing alarm over what they describe as systematic attempts to undermine democracy. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project has also given INEC a seven-day ultimatum to disclose political contribution limits and campaign finance rules, highlighting the growing scrutiny of the electoral process. As the 2027 election season gathers momentum, Ayodele's warning serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria's democracy and the urgent need for INEC to strengthen its preparations and reassure Nigerians of its commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
The question now is whether INEC will take Ayodele's warnings seriously and take proactive steps to prevent the deployment of fake polling units and voting booths, or whether the commission will wait until the allegations become reality before acting. For millions of Nigerians who have lost faith in the electoral process, Ayodele's prophecy is a chilling reminder that the battle for the soul of Nigeria's democracy is far from over, and that the forces of darkness are already mobilising to rig the 2027 elections before a single vote is cast.
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