Primate Elijah Ayodele, founder of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has made a prophecy that Vice-President Kashim Shettima may take over from President Bola Tinubu before 2031. According to Ayodele, Tinubu's health will require prayers if he is to complete his current tenure and secure another four years in office. Ayodele described his statement as a warning based on divine revelation, rather than a curse against the President.
Ayodele referenced the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, who died in office in 2010 after a prolonged illness, as a possible precedent for Tinubu's situation. He stated that if Tinubu wins a second term, he will not finish it, citing a divine revelation. Ayodele's prophecy has sparked debate about Tinubu's 2027 ambitions and Shettima's potential role in the government.
The prophecy comes amid renewed debate over Tinubu's 2027 ambitions, his absence from Nigeria, and Shettima's recent trip to the United States. Tinubu departed Nigeria on August 30 for a three-week working vacation, which was later extended. He is currently in France, while Shettima travelled to New York on September 20 to represent Nigeria at the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The simultaneous absence of the President and Vice-President has prompted questions about who is constitutionally empowered to exercise presidential authority. Senate President Godswill Akpabio dismissed the suggestion that he was acting President, saying Tinubu remained in control of the government. Akpabio rejected claims that the situation had created a constitutional vacuum.
Akpabio stated that President Tinubu was still in power and running the affairs of Nigeria, despite being on a working leave. He argued that with modern technology, instructions could be given from anywhere, and therefore, there was no vacancy in the presidency. His remarks followed demands from opposition figures and political organisations for the National Assembly to determine whether the constitutional provisions on presidential absence had been satisfied.
Opposition figures, including Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress presidential candidate, have called for the National Assembly to act under Section 145 of the Constitution. Sowore argued that the expiration of Tinubu's initial 21-day period raised questions about who should exercise presidential authority. The African Democratic Congress has also criticised the continued absence of Tinubu and Shettima.
The ADC argued that attending official events on behalf of the President does not amount to exercising presidential powers. They questioned whether the phrase "working vacation" addressed the constitutional requirements governing presidential absence. The party also questioned the role of Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume in representing Tinubu at official engagements.
Key points
- Primate Elijah Ayodele predicts VP Kashim Shettima may succeed President Bola Tinubu due to health concerns.
- The prophecy has sparked debate about Tinubu's 2027 ambitions and Shettima's potential role in the government.
- The simultaneous absence of Tinubu and Shettima has prompted questions about who is constitutionally empowered to exercise presidential authority.
