Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, has warned of a coordinated plan to deploy fake polling units and voting booths across Nigeria to compromise the 2027 general elections. In a statement released on Sunday, August 23, 2026, signed by his media aide Osho Oluwatosin and made available to Legit.ng, Ayodele said unsuspecting voters could be misled by fraudulent setups equipped with electoral materials to appear legitimate.
Alarm Over Fake Polling Units
Ayodele directed his warning at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urging the body to treat the threat urgently. He said, "For the upcoming election in Nigeria, I am seeing a lot of fake things regarding the election which the INEC must take seriously. I am seeing fake polling units and booths spread across the country to weaken the votes of some individuals and rig some people out."
The cleric stressed that public awareness is critical to tackling the problem, warning that if INEC fails to educate voters and act decisively, the rigging plan would succeed. "The commission must ensure they take this very seriously because it will have a negative effect on the election. Let the commission work hard in this area and ensure people are well-informed; if not, it will happen successfully," Ayodele said.
Concerns Over INEC's Readiness
Beyond fake polling units, Ayodele expressed concern about what he called a lack of visible readiness from the electoral commission as the 2027 election approaches. He described the expected presidential contest as unprecedented in intensity and said INEC's current posture was insufficient.
"INEC hasn't shown readiness for this coming election. They don't know what is coming, but I want to urge the chairman to put his house in order and deliver a credible election because there will be issues if he doesn't. He will be affected personally. The election will be very tough, unlike the ones we have had in the past," he said. Ayodele directed his caution to INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan, warning that failure to deliver a credible election would affect him personally.
Previous Prophecies on 2027
Ayodele has previously made a series of political prophecies concerning Nigeria's 2027 electoral landscape, including warnings and calls for key political figures to take specific actions ahead of the polls. Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ayodele issued a strong warning about President Bola Tinubu, claiming the Nigerian leader is operating under a spiritual spell that is causing him to reject sound advice and push away well-meaning people. Ayodele alleged that those closest to Tinubu are not acting in his best interest, and that the president's inability to heed good counsel will cost him dearly.
The statement's impact centers on Ayodele's call for INEC to act decisively and inform voters, as he warned that inaction could allow the alleged rigging plan to succeed. The cleric's claims remain prophetic commentary, and readers are encouraged to form their own conclusions.
