Ayodele to Tinubu: Dropping Shettima will backfire in 2027

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued another warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu regarding his 2027 re-election bid, cautioning him against removing Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

In a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, on Monday, Ayodele said that replacing Shettima would be politically disastrous and could cost the president vital support.

“Dropping Shettima will cause trouble for you. Those who want him out are enemies who don’t want you to succeed. Whatever grievances exist between you and Shettima, settle them. Removing him is a huge minus that will destroy your chances and attract unnecessary enemies,” the cleric said.

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According to Ayodele, Shettima poses no real threat to Tinubu, but internal divisions and northern opposition remain a significant challenge. He warned that influential northern leaders and traditional rulers could “gang up” against the president if he mishandles key political relationships.

The cleric further stated that the road to 2027 would not be easy, predicting international resistance to Tinubu’s second-term ambition. He specifically warned that the United States would work against his administration.

“America is not your friend. They are desperate to remove you and will do everything to see you out of power. You need to handle both domestic and international issues carefully to avoid self-inflicted problems,” Ayodele said.

He urged the president to focus on tackling Nigeria’s pressing economic and security crises, stressing that hunger and insecurity—not internal political maneuvering—pose the greatest threat to his government.

“Shettima isn’t your problem; hunger and insecurity are. Removing or adding people to your government won’t solve these challenges. Work on food security, address the suffering of Nigerians, and strengthen the fight against terrorism. If you fail, even without a strong opponent now, you will face serious difficulties in 2027,” the cleric warned.

Ayodele concluded by noting that although no individual has yet emerged as a formidable challenger, Tinubu risks being defeated if the country’s current trajectory remains unchanged.