Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has warned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that President Bola Tinubu is fully involved in the upcoming governorship election and is determined to see him removed from office. In a statement released on Tuesday, August 11, through his media aide Osho Oluwatosin and sent to Legit.ng, Ayodele dismissed any notion that the president has stepped back from the contest.
Ayodele Rejects Claims of Presidential Disinterest
The cleric's warning follows speculation among politicians in Osun State that Tinubu had lost interest in the election, partly fueled by the president's directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to lift a freezing order on the state's accounts. Some interpreted this as a sign of goodwill towards Adeleke, but Ayodele urged the governor to disregard such narratives.
"Tinubu is fully involved and interested in Osun state. Adeleke shouldn't allow anybody to deceive him that the president isn't interested in it. He is closely monitoring the election and wants Adeleke out of power," Ayodele said.
Stakes High for Adeleke
Ayodele stressed that the stakes for Adeleke extend beyond losing the governorship seat, warning that defeat could bring serious difficulties. "Adeleke must do everything he knows to ensure he stays in power because if he loses, it won't be an easy journey for him. It will even be difficult to get anything from the court. The APC wants to perform magic, but he must not allow them," he added.
The election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, and political tension in Osun State has been heightened as the date approaches.
APC's Five-Pronged Strategy
Primate Ayodele claimed to have received prophetic insight into the All Progressives Congress (APC) strategy for the election, describing it as a five-pronged approach. "The APC will use money, influence, power, forces, and the presidency. It won't be easy at all; it will be very serious," he said.
The cleric did not indicate which candidate he believed would ultimately prevail but made clear that Adeleke faces a formidable challenge and must take the contest seriously. Legit.ng has previously reported on the heightened political tension in Osun State, including reactions from other political figures.
Earlier, Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo, responded to comments made by Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, over the forthcoming election. Uzodimma told the singer to prepare to sign his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, as a dancer after the poll. Adeleke is a chieftain of the Accord party, which he joined in 2025.
