The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has predicted that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will come under intense pressure to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race in favour of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric claimed that the move would be driven by the international community, including the African Union, United Kingdom, United States and European Union, alongside influential local political figures.
According to Ayodele, the plan is for Jonathan to be drafted into a broad coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu, with the understanding that he would serve only one term if elected.
He said the strategy is already taking shape behind the scenes, noting that Atiku step down Jonathan would be central to the coalition’s calculations ahead of the 2027 general election.
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“I see that the AU, UK, USA, EU and some local actors like TY Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo will ask Atiku to step down for Jonathan,” Ayodele said, adding that Jonathan would be compelled to accept the ticket to challenge Tinubu.
The cleric further claimed that consultations on the plan began late last year, insisting that the intention is to strengthen the opposition’s chances in 2027 through a united front. He stressed that the arrangement would make Atiku step down Jonathan a strategic decision rather than a personal sacrifice.
Ayodele also reiterated his earlier prophecy that the United States would pose the strongest external opposition to President Tinubu, warning that international interest in Nigeria’s next election would be significant.
“The international community will be involved in our election, and we must be careful,” he said, adding that political pressure from abroad could shape alliances and outcomes.
He concluded by insisting that Atiku stepping down for jonathan would be a defining development in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election.