Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a stark and urgent warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to do everything in his power to prevent the United States government from releasing certain documents held by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Ayodele warned that the disclosure of these records could trigger major political and economic consequences, potentially ending Tinubu's second-term ambition and even leading to the formation of an interim government in Nigeria.
In a statement that has sent shockwaves through political circles, the cleric, who spoke in a video circulating on social media since August 31, 2026, stressed that his warning was not born of political bias but of a deep concern for Nigeria's stability and progress. "For the sake of Nigeria to be moving forward, for Nigerians' parity, for Nigeria progress, Tinubu, do everything, everything! Don't let America expose that document," Ayodele declared. He further cautioned the President against complacency, alleging that individuals within and outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) were working against him. "Do everything! I beg you, sir. Do everything! Don't sleep," he pleaded.
The documents in question are at the centre of a long-running Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit filed by American transparency activist Aaron Greenspan. Greenspan has sought records from the FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) concerning Tinubu, including the president's FBI file and interview records connected to a 1992–1993 Chicago investigation into a suspected heroin trafficking ring. While Tinubu was never criminally charged and has consistently denied any involvement in drug trafficking, the investigation led to the civil forfeiture of approximately $460,000 linked to an account associated with him.
The FBI has sought to withhold some records, citing exemptions related to law-enforcement techniques, privacy, informants, and the potential safety of individuals. Some documents have already been processed and partially released with redactions, while others remain under seal for the court's review. Tinubu has intervened in the case through his lawyers, arguing that further disclosure could violate his privacy rights.
Ayodele's warning adds a prophetic and politically charged dimension to an already sensitive legal and diplomatic issue. He suggested that the documents have the potential to bring down the government and that America could "end this government" by calling for arrests. He also claimed that the release of the documents could lead to an interim government and have a serious effect on the 2027 election. "If America is ready, they will release it, and that's why I said America is one of Tinubu's problems," Ayodele stated.
The cleric had previously predicted in his July 2026 publication, Warnings to the Nations, that American officials would use documents against the president and engage with Nigeria's electoral authorities ahead of the 2027 elections. His latest comments have sparked intense debate online, with some questioning the cleric's motives and others debating the possible implications of the alleged documents.
As of September 1, 2026, the FOIA litigation remains before Judge Beryl Howell in Washington, D.C., and the court has yet to order a full public release of the contested records. Tinubu's supporters, including former presidential aide Reno Omokri, have maintained that the president has no criminal conviction in the United States and that investigative records do not establish criminal guilt. However, opposition figures and civil society voices have continued to call for the release of non-exempt records, citing public interest in the matter.
Primate Ayodele's warning serves as a stark reminder of the high stakes surrounding the legal battle in the United States. As the 2027 election approaches, the potential release of these documents could profoundly impact the political landscape in Nigeria. For now, the President faces a growing chorus of voices urging him to act decisively to prevent what could be a turning point in his administration.
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