Primate Elijah Ayodele, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has prophesied that former Vice President Abubakar Atiku will be pressured to step down in favor of former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele revealed that international powers, including the African Union (AU), European Union (EU), United States of America (USA), and local influential figures such as TY Danjuma, Abubakar Abdulsalami, and Olusegun Obasanjo, will play a key role in orchestrating the shift.

Ayodele predicted that Jonathan will join the opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu. He further stated that Jonathan would be positioned to challenge Tinubu in the 2027 presidential race, although he would serve only one term if successful.

“I see the AU, UK, USA, EU, and some local actors like TY Danjuma, Abubakar Abdulsalami, and Obasanjo asking Atiku to step down for Jonathan ahead of the 2027 presidential election, even within the coalition,” Ayodele stated. “They will push Jonathan to join the coalition and ensure he secures the ticket to contest against Tinubu in 2027. It’s going to be a tough move, but it is already being planned.”

According to the clergyman, the planning for this shift began in late December 2025, but President Tinubu is reportedly unaware of the developments.

Primate Ayodele also reiterated a previous prophecy about the United States’ involvement in Nigerian politics, claiming that US President Donald Trump—if he returns to power—would aim to challenge President Tinubu’s leadership. He warned that the international community would have a significant influence on Nigeria’s upcoming election and urged caution.

“As I have said before, the US will be Tinubu’s greatest opposition,” Ayodele continued. “Trump wants to see Tinubu out of office, unless the president makes a bold political move. We must be mindful of the international community’s involvement in our elections.”