The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has criticised Nigerian bishops who endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, accusing them of acting out of personal interests.
Ayodele, in a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, alleged that the bishops’ decision was motivated by their desire for personal benefits rather than divine direction.
The cleric urged Tinubu not to be carried away by the endorsement, describing it as insincere and warning that it would not guarantee his re-election in 2027.
“Bishops endorsing President Tinubu are hungry and looking for what to eat. They didn’t do that endorsement because they love Tinubu but because they need some things from him,” Ayodele said.
He further alleged that the bishops were using God’s name to advance their interests, insisting that their decision was not based on any divine instruction.
“They are not doing it based on divine orders or God’s direction; there is no way God would give such direction. They are only lying on God’s name because of food,” he said.
Ayodele also extended his criticism to politicians who have openly endorsed Tinubu’s bid for another term, arguing that many of them were driven by self-interest.
According to him, some of those currently supporting the President could quickly switch allegiance if their expectations were not met.
“Even politicians who are singing the praises of President Tinubu and endorsing him for a second term are not doing it for the love of the president; they are all doing it for selfish interests.
“If President Tinubu doesn’t give them what they want, they will be the first people to turn against him and endorse another person,” he said.
The cleric advised Tinubu to focus more on his performance in office and the welfare of Nigerians than endorsements from political or religious figures.
He maintained that the President’s achievements and impact on citizens would ultimately determine his chances of securing another term.
“President Tinubu must know that endorsements cannot get him anywhere near a second term if he doesn’t perform well for the people. Endorsements mean nothing; it is only his activities that can either secure or make him lose a second term in office,” Ayodele said.
Politics Nigeria understands that the comments came two days after the Charismatic Bishops Conference of Nigeria endorsed Tinubu for a second term.
The President-General of the conference, Archbishop Leonard Bature Kawas, announced the endorsement on Wednesday during the organisation’s 2026 synod.
Kawas said the decision followed the bishops’ assessment of Tinubu’s administration, particularly what he described as the President’s inclusive approach to appointments despite the controversy surrounding the Muslim-Muslim ticket under which Tinubu contested the 2023 presidential election.
He also credited Tinubu with supporting the emergence of Christian governors in the country and praised the President’s wife, Oluremi Tinubu, for publicly demonstrating her Christian faith.
“He did not only appoint at the national level; he also supported the emergence of Christian governors to be the majority in Nigeria. He has stood with Christianity alongside his wife,” Kawas said.
