Atiku to step down for Goodluck Jonathan in 2027 election

Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has revealed a controversial plan concerning Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. In a statement relayed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Ayodele claims that former Vice President Abubakar Atiku will be asked to step down in favor of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He says the move is backed by the international community—including the African Union, the European Union and the United States—alongside local actors such as TY Danjuma, Abubakar Abdulsalami and Olusegun Obasanjo. According to the clergyman, Jonathan will be persuaded to join a coalition against the current administration and serve as president for a single term.

Ayodele asserts that discussions about the plan began in late December, while President Bola Tinubu remains unaware of the developments. He also reiterated an earlier prophecy that the U.S. President will pose a significant challenge to Tinubu’s administration. Although involvement of international organizations and local stakeholders in Nigeria’s electoral process is not unprecedented, the reported scheme to compel Atiku to withdraw in favor of Jonathan raises serious questions about the country’s democratic integrity and the potential for external influence.

Nigeria’s history of complex presidential elections features numerous candidates and shifting coalitions, often accompanied by allegations of external interference and political maneuvering. As the 2027 elections approach, the international community and domestic actors continue to show keen interest in the outcome. It is essential that the democratic process be respected and that the will of the Nigerian people be upheld.

If the plan to support Jonathan’s candidacy materialises, it could trigger a major shift in Nigeria’s political dynamics, with significant consequences for both the current administration and the opposition. As the situation unfolds, close monitoring is required to ensure that democratic norms are protected and that any developments are transparent and legitimate.