Primate Ayodele Warns Nigerians: “Don’t Die or Fight for Politicians”
The leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned Nigerians against fighting or putting their lives at risk because of politicians, saying politicians often use their supporters for political purposes and abandon them after elections.
Ayodele gave the warning in a video posted on TikTok on Monday, as he urged Nigerians, particularly young people, not to allow politicians to deceive them or use them to perpetrate violence during elections.
According to the cleric, politicians across different political parties often maintain cordial relationships with one another despite the fierce confrontations that may occur between their supporters.
He specifically pointed to the relationship between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, arguing that political differences between their supporters should not become a reason for Nigerians to fight or harm one another.
“Especially you Nigerians, don’t die because of politicians. Tinubu and Atiku are friends. You are the ones who fight each other, fight each other and kill each other.”
Ayodele Warns Against Election Violence
The warning comes as political activities and preparations for future elections continue to generate debates and concerns about political violence.
Ayodele urged Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used by politicians to carry out violent acts, stressing that supporters are usually the ones who suffer the consequences when such confrontations become physical.
He particularly warned young people against accepting money from politicians in exchange for participating in dangerous political activities.
“Don’t kill yourselves. The election is coming soon. Don’t allow them to use you because of N1m or N500,000 they will give you. If you lose your life, if they shoot your leg, kidnap you or do anything to you, you are the one who will have to face the problem.”
The cleric said financial inducements offered during political campaigns or elections should not be allowed to outweigh the value of a person's life and safety.
“If You Lose, Your Family Also Loses”
Ayodele further warned that political supporters should consider the impact that injury or death could have on their families before allowing themselves to become involved in political violence.
He argued that politicians who appear to be bitter political opponents may eventually reconcile after elections.
Using political figures in Osun State as another example, he referred to Ademola Adeleke and Gboyega Oyetola, saying political disagreements do not necessarily mean that politicians will remain enemies permanently.
“If you lose, your family also loses. Adeleke and Oyetola, they will also greet each other. They will again do what friends do.”
His message was therefore directed at political supporters who may allow temporary political disagreements to destroy relationships or expose themselves to unnecessary danger.
“Politicians Use People and Abandon Them”
The INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church leader also cautioned Nigerians against allowing political differences to turn them into permanent enemies.
He maintained that politicians may use supporters when they need their support but later abandon them after achieving their political objectives.
“Stop fighting each other or dying because of these politicians. Politicians use people and then abandon them. They are full of ingratitude.”
Ayodele's warning was particularly aimed at people who may become emotionally attached to political parties or politicians to the point of putting their own lives and relationships at risk.
He encouraged Nigerians to understand that political competition should not automatically translate into personal hatred or violence among ordinary citizens.
Warning to Religious Leaders
Ayodele also extended his warning to religious leaders, saying politicians could equally use pastors and other religious figures for political purposes before abandoning them afterward.
According to him, religious leaders should also exercise caution when becoming involved in political activities and should not assume that political relationships will necessarily remain permanent.
“They will only use you, and afterwards they will abandon you. They also use people like us pastors, and they will abandon us too. There is no problem with that.”
His comments suggest that the warning is not limited to ordinary political supporters but also applies to influential individuals who may become involved in political campaigns or political alliances.
“Would They Send Their Own Children to War?”
The cleric also questioned whether politicians would willingly expose their own children or family members to the same dangers that some of their supporters are encouraged to face.
“Can they send their children to war or put anyone in their family in war? Yet, they will not help you.”
Ayodele said this should make political supporters think carefully before accepting instructions that could place their lives in danger.
He questioned why ordinary supporters should be willing to face violence on behalf of politicians when the politicians themselves may be unwilling to expose members of their own families to similar risks.
Message to Nigerian Youths in Politics
The cleric specifically appealed to young Nigerians who are becoming increasingly involved in political activities to be cautious.
He urged them not to blindly praise or defend politicians without considering their own safety and wellbeing.
“You are only praising them. Can they send their children to war or put anyone in their family in danger?”
Ayodele's message was that political loyalty should not require anyone to sacrifice their life or physical safety.
He encouraged young people to understand the difference between participating peacefully in politics and becoming involved in activities that could lead to violence, injury, arrest or death.
Political Differences Should Not Destroy Relationships
The cleric also urged Nigerians to avoid allowing political differences to destroy friendships, family relationships and community ties.
He argued that politicians can disagree strongly during elections and later find ways to work together or maintain cordial relationships.
For this reason, he said ordinary Nigerians should not allow themselves to become permanent enemies because of political competition.
His warning also focused on the reality that the consequences of political violence often remain with the victims and their families long after an election has ended.
Ayodele Calls for Caution Ahead of Elections
Primate Ayodele ultimately urged Nigerians to place the value of their lives above political loyalty and financial inducements.
He said politicians may prioritise members of their own political organisations when opportunities and benefits are being distributed, making it important for ordinary Nigerians to avoid putting themselves in situations where they could suffer serious consequences.
The cleric therefore appealed to Nigerians, particularly young people, to participate in politics peacefully and avoid being manipulated into violence.
He maintained that no political disagreement should be strong enough to justify losing a life, suffering a permanent injury or destroying one's future.
Primate Elijah Ayodele's warning is that Nigerians should protect their lives, reject political violence and avoid allowing politicians to use them as instruments of conflict, particularly when the consequences of such actions will ultimately be faced by the supporters and their families.