“I See AU, UK, US Asking Atiku to Step Down for Jonathan in 2027” — Primate Ayodele

The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be urged to step aside for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele claimed that the move would be driven by external and local actors. He named the African Union, the European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom as part of the international interests allegedly involved, alongside Nigerian political figures including Theophilus Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar, and Olusegun Obasanjo.

According to Ayodele, Jonathan is expected to be persuaded to join a coalition formed to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027. He added that the plan would be for Jonathan to run for a single term.

“I see the AU, UK, USA, EU and some local actors asking Atiku to step down for Jonathan ahead of the 2027 presidential election, even within the coalition,” Ayodele said. “Jonathan will be compelled to join the coalition and given the ticket to contest against Tinubu. It will not be easy, but plans are already in motion.”

He further alleged that discussions on the matter began in late December and claimed that President Tinubu is unaware of the alleged plans.

Ayodele also repeated his earlier claim that the United States would play a major role in opposing Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“As I have said before, the US will be Tinubu’s strongest opposition,” he stated. “President Donald Trump wants Tinubu out of office, unless Tinubu makes a very bold political move. The international community will be involved in Nigeria’s elections, and the country must approach this with caution.”