Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued fresh warnings to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning him against the introduction of state police and the creation of new states in Nigeria.
In a prophetic message from 1:03, the cleric described the concept of state police as a “good idea” but one Nigeria is not ready to manage effectively. According to him, poor governance structures and political interference would compromise its success.
“State police is good, but the management will be bad. Nigeria cannot handle state police. Tinubu, don’t try the state police now. It’s a good thing, good concept, but you will not succeed,” Ayodele said.
He further warned that attempts to establish state police would breed conflict between federal and state authorities. “There will be conflict of interest. We are not mature for state police. It’s a warning,” he declared.
The issue of state police has been widely debated in Nigeria, with advocates arguing it would strengthen security in a country battling terrorism, banditry, and rising violent crime. Opponents, however, fear that state governors could abuse such powers for political gain, turning the force into a tool of oppression. Ayodele’s message aligns with concerns over the country’s preparedness for such a reform.
Turning to the matter of state creation, the prophet also cautioned Tinubu against entertaining political pressures to create new states. He warned that such moves, often motivated by political considerations, would destabilize the government rather than strengthen unity.
“State creation, don’t create states. Hold on. You create states, you think you are using it for politics. It won’t work. You can create local government, FCDA, whatever. But states, Tinubu, don’t create that. That’s serious. It’s going to affect your government,” Ayodele said.
Nigeria currently has 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but agitation for additional states has remained persistent, particularly among ethnic groups and regions seeking greater political representation. While several constitutional amendments have proposed new states, successive administrations have hesitated, citing financial strain and governance challenges.
Ayodele’s warning comes at a time when the Tinubu administration is grappling with economic hardship, insecurity, and calls for restructuring. Analysts note that the push for state police and state creation could become defining issues of Tinubu’s presidency, particularly as pressure mounts from different regions.
The cleric’s intervention reflects his long-standing role as a prophetic voice in Nigerian politics, often issuing messages to leaders about policy choices and their consequences. While some dismiss his warnings as religious rhetoric, others view them as expressions of public concerns over governance and stability.
Ayodele emphasized that Tinubu’s government should instead focus on consolidating existing institutions, strengthening local governance, and addressing insecurity through reforms that would not jeopardize national unity.
“Don’t create more problems for your government,” he cautioned. “Focus on stability, use wisdom, and Nigeria will move forward.”
