The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a warning to Nigerians about the potential consequences of electing what he describes as the "wrong candidate" in the 2027 presidential election. According to Ayodele, this could lead to severe economic hardship for the country. He made these remarks through a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin.
Ayodele predicts that if the "wrong candidate" is elected, petrol could rise to N2,500 per litre and diesel to N3,000. He also forecasts increases in electricity tariffs, examination fees, and the price of cement. Furthermore, he warns of worsening insecurity and economic pressures. The cleric's predictions have sparked concern among Nigerians, who are already experiencing economic difficulties.
The cleric further warned of the emergence of another terrorist group, which could compound Nigeria's security challenges. He also predicted that the West African Examination Council (WAEC) fee could rise to N70,000 and a bag of cement to N18,000. According to Ayodele, the poor would bear the brunt of the predicted economic difficulties.
Ayodele attributed the potential economic hardship to unfavourable policies, declining foreign reserves, and increased corruption. He urged Nigerians to scrutinise the candidates ahead of the 2027 election rather than making voting decisions based on immediate material inducements. The cleric emphasised that the 2027 election would determine a lot and that Nigerians must be cautious in their choice of candidate.
The cleric promised to disclose what he described as "God's choice" for Nigerians in the coming election. He will explain how citizens can identify the candidate he considers suitable, but ultimately, it will be up to the people to decide. Ayodele's warning comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to cushion transportation costs through alternative energy.
President Bola Tinubu has been working to reduce transportation costs through the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme. He directed state governments to intensify efforts to ensure that more Nigerians experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1. Tinubu cited existing reductions in transport fares in several states, including Borno, Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu, Plateau, and Niger.
Tinubu also rejected calls for a return to the petrol subsidy regime, arguing that it had exposed the economy to international oil-price fluctuations and consumed trillions of naira. The President reported that over 120,000 vehicles had been converted to CNG over the past three years, and Nigeria now has more than 400 certified CNG conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations.
Key points
- Primate Ayodele warns of potential economic hardship if the 'wrong candidate' is elected in the 2027 presidential election.
- Ayodele predicts significant increases in petrol, diesel, and other essential commodities if the 'wrong candidate' wins.
- President Tinubu is working to reduce transportation costs through alternative energy sources, including compressed natural gas (CNG).
