Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has once again weighed in on the state of the nation, urging Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu rather than dwell on constant criticism. The cleric, known for his outspoken prophecies and political commentary, declared that Tinubu’s performance so far has been stronger than that of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking during an address to his congregation, Ayodele clarified that his comments should not be mistaken for political bias. “I’m not supporting anybody. Trust me,” he said. “To be honest, Tinubu has performed more than Buhari. He deserves prayers. He deserves our support.”
According to the prophet, Nigerians often underestimate the weight of leadership, forgetting how difficult it is to govern millions of people with diverse backgrounds and interests. “Look at it,” Ayodele said. “You cannot rule one person or three, talk more of two hundred and twenty million people.”
While acknowledging the hardship citizens are facing under Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly subsidy removal and inflation, the cleric urged Nigerians to reflect on the root causes of the current crisis. “Continue to blame, paying, paying, paying,” Ayodele observed. “Why can’t you ask where did the pain start? Who caused it? They protected Buhari. There are these persons that wanted to try his best. No. They wanted to try his best.”
His remarks suggested that some of the economic and social troubles currently plaguing Nigeria predate Tinubu’s administration, but the burden of responsibility has now been placed solely on the president.
Ayodele argued that while criticism is natural, citizens must also recognize that leaders need encouragement and spiritual support to succeed. “This is not about politics, it is about the survival of the nation,” he stressed. “We must stop the cycle of curses and condemnation. Instead, let us lift him in prayer so that he can take the right steps.”
The cleric’s comments come amid widespread discontent over rising living costs, with many Nigerians struggling under the weight of inflation, fuel price hikes, and unemployment. Tinubu’s policies have sparked protests in parts of the country, with opposition voices arguing that the president has failed to provide immediate relief.
Still, Ayodele insisted that Nigeria’s problems cannot be solved overnight and that the president should be given time. “Tinubu may not be perfect, but he has shown more effort than Buhari in addressing critical issues,” he said. “Nigerians must be patient and prayerful if we truly want to see results.”
Primate Ayodele concluded his message with a call for unity, warning that constant negativity could destabilize the country further. “Let us not destroy our own house with our tongues,” he urged. “Every leader has weaknesses, but with our collective prayers and support, Nigeria can still rise again.”
By urging prayers for Tinubu while drawing comparisons with Buhari, Ayodele has reignited debate on Nigeria’s leadership performance and the role of citizens in shaping the nation’s future.
