Rita Odafe
Primate Elijah Ayodele, head of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has advised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to maintain Vice President Kashim Shettima as his partner for the upcoming 2027 elections.
In a statement from his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, the Primate urged the president to ignore external pressures regarding the vice president’s position but also warned him to prepare for a challenging confrontation ahead.
The prophet emphasized that the president’s attempt to secure re-election will exacerbate divisions in the north and generate significant turmoil, asserting that Shettima must remain as his partner to avoid blame.
“Tinubu’s quest for re-election will create divisions in the north, leading to considerable chaos. The president should refrain from the error of replacing Shettima as his running mate,”
“Nonetheless, he must brace himself for a tough battle with him, similar to the conflicts between Obasanjo and Atiku, where they faced serious disputes, but keeping Shettima in place is crucial for his survival.”
Elaborating further, Primate Ayodele mentioned that this conflict could lead to the vice president becoming less influential in his role, as the fallout would make their discord quite evident.
“This type of conflict may result in the VP distancing himself from his responsibilities, rendering him less significant because the strain will become overwhelming.”
Additionally, Primate Ayodele cautioned Tinubu to be wary of new members joining the APC from opposing parties to avoid complications in his campaign for re-election.
“Tinubu may face challenges from individuals transitioning into the APC at this time. Rather than bolstering his campaign, they might ultimately hinder his prospects. He needs to remain vigilant and cautious,” he concluded.
