The Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has urged President Bola Tinubu to prioritise winning the support of the North for his second-term ambition.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele said the northern region of the country has yet to endorse Tinubu’s re-election bid, warning that the president is being misled about the level of backing he currently enjoys there.
According to the cleric, many people are deceiving Tinubu about the political landscape in the North ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He advised the President to ignore false assurances and face the realities on the ground, noting that the North remains largely opposed to his second-term plans.
“Concentrate more on the North. Don’t let them deceive you. They have not captured the North yet for you. The northerners will instigate many sensitive issues, and while they often unite behind one candidate, Tinubu’s election will create divisions. He has a lot of work to do in the North, and must engage directly with northern leaders”, Primate Ayodele said.
He further cautioned that relying on Seyi Tinubu, or the City Boy movement alone, will not secure sufficient support in the region. “Seyi Tinubu cannot do so much for the president in the North; he needs capable hands. The City Boy movement will also be limited in impact.
“They have already started preparing those who could cause unrest, so the president must work closely with Emirs, political leaders, and religious figures in the North”, the cleric added.
