The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that Nigerians could face deeper economic hardship if they elect what he described as the “wrong candidate” in the 2027 presidential election.

Ayodele, in a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, predicted that petrol could rise to N2,500 per litre and diesel to N3,000 under such a scenario.

The cleric also forecast increases in electricity tariffs, examination fees and the price of cement, alongside worsening insecurity and economic pressures.

“If Nigeria votes for the wrong candidate in 2027, petrol will rise to N2,500, and diesel will go to N3,000. There will be economic hardship, and insecurity will increase,” Ayodele said.

He further predicted the emergence of another terrorist group, warning that the development could compound Nigeria’s security challenges.

“Another new terrorist group will come up, and electricity tariffs will rise. WAEC fee will rise to N70,000, and a bag of cement will rise to N18,000 regardless of whatever Dangote does,” he said.

According to the cleric, the poor would bear the brunt of the predicted economic difficulties, while unfavourable policies, declining foreign reserves and increased corruption could further worsen conditions.

“The poor will suffer it greatly, and everything will change. There will be wrong policies, our foreign reserves will go down, corruption will increase,” he added.

Ayodele urged Nigerians to scrutinise the candidates ahead of the 2027 election rather than making voting decisions based on immediate material inducements.

“Nigerians must open their eyes before voting for any candidate in the forthcoming election. This election will determine a lot, and if care isn’t taken, Nigerians will move into another round of hardship,” he said.

The cleric said he would in the coming months disclose what he described as “God’s choice” for Nigerians and explain how citizens could identify the candidate he considers suitable.

“In the coming days, I will reveal God’s choice for Nigerians in the coming election. I will let the people know how to identify the best candidate, but it’s left to them to decide what they want to follow,” he said.

Ayodele’s warning comes amid ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to cushion transportation costs through alternative energy, particularly compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric-powered public transport.

President Bola Tinubu, in an update on the National Affordable CNG Transit Programme on Saturday, directed state governments to intensify efforts to ensure that more Nigerians begin to experience measurable reductions in transportation costs from October 1.

Tinubu said the initiative followed his August 27 meeting with the 36 state governors, after which an implementation committee was established under the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, chaired by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The President cited existing reductions in transport fares in several states, including Borno, Oyo, Adamawa, Enugu, Plateau and Niger, which he attributed to CNG and electric-powered transport schemes.

Tinubu said more than 120,000 vehicles had been converted to CNG over the past three years, while Nigeria now has more than 400 certified CNG conversion centres and over 90 CNG refuelling stations.

He also rejected calls for a return to the petrol subsidy regime, arguing that it had exposed the economy to international oil-price fluctuations and consumed trillions of naira.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to be distracted by the tactics of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Oyintiloye advised the President to focus on governance and tackle head-on security threats identified by security agencies.

The APC chieftain made the call while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, against the backdrop of a recent intelligence alert by the Department of State Service, DSS, over possible attacks on vulnerable locations, especially in the southern part of the country.

“The President must urgently support security agencies to intensify surveillance, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property amid emerging security concerns.

“Security agencies should be reinforced through heightened vigilance, improved intelligence gathering and coordinated preventive action nationwide,” he said.

The former lawmaker also called on all relevant security agencies to work closely together, share intelligence and strengthen surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.

He urged increased security around schools, places of worship, NYSC facilities, parks, garages and other vulnerable locations, especially with schools in session.

The APC chieftain also called for an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation into the recent killings in Osun State.

He urged security agencies to identify all persons suspected to have participated in, sponsored or facilitated the violence and ensure that anyone against whom sufficient evidence was established was prosecuted in accordance with the law.

He appealed to all stakeholders, including transport workers, community leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders, to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist investigations and prevent further violence.

“Security should be strengthened through intelligence, adequate training, equipment and resources to enable security agencies to forestall, prevent, detect and respond effectively to attacks by armed groups.

“If necessary, service chiefs should review and adjust their operational strategies without hesitation, as time is of the essence,” he added.

He also called on state governors to complement the President’s efforts by providing adequate support and resources to security agencies within their jurisdictions.

While acknowledging the President’s constitutional role as Chief Security Officer of the nation, Oyintiloye emphasised that governors and local government chairmen are closer to the grassroots and must take proactive measures to strengthen local intelligence and maintain peace.

He stressed that no nation could achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that economic growth, infrastructure development, investment, and social services thrive only in a peaceful environment.

“A nation with a strong and effective security system is better positioned for accelerated development, economic prosperity, and sustainable social services,” he said.

He urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information, and continue to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.