Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has explained why the South-West may be a difficult terrain for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, warning that the contest may not be as easy for the president as expected.
Primate Ayodele said Tinubu would need to work harder in South-West, particularly in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states, where he predicted a tough contest despite the president’s political standing in the South-West.
In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the cleric said Tinubu should not assume that the election would be a ‘bread and butter’ affair in the region.
‘Tinubu must work hard in some states because it won’t be easy. Even in Lagos State, it will be hot; he shouldn’t think it will be bread and butter. The election will be a very tough one for him; even in Oyo and Osun, it won’t be all that smooth in the South West.
‘He also needs to work on Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Benue and Abuja; all these states are still shaking. It may not be easy for the president in these places. He must work very hard and perfect all that is needed.’
Ayodele also attributed part of the potential challenges to concerns surrounding the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that the issue could create religious tension if not properly managed.
He urged Tinubu and his team to exercise caution in their campaign around the ticket, saying some people were unhappy with the arrangement and could react violently.
‘Let us be cautious against a religious crisis because of this Muslim-Muslim ticket. What I see is trouble if this is not well handled. A lot of people are in pain, and people are ready to go violent if this isn’t well taken care of.
‘This won’t be about the presidency alone, it will also move to the states that are presenting the same ticket format. They must be careful not to create a religious tension that will go across the nation. Tinubu must show wisdom otherwise, a lot of things will come out from it.’
The cleric further listed Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Niger, Bayelsa, Imo, Enugu, Delta, Benue and Abuja among other areas where he said the president would need to intensify his efforts ahead of the election.