By Israel Bulus, Kaduna
The Alliance of Northern Development (AND) has risen in defence of the newly elected national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, dismissing a prophecy by Primate Babatunde Elijah Ayodele as “baseless political gossip.”
Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, had recently predicted that Yilwatda would not secure electoral victory for the ruling party. But AND, in a statement on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to disregard the cleric, describing him as a preacher with a “record of failed political predictions.”
The group in a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Chairman, Comrade Nasiru Jagaba, listed several past prophecies by Ayodele which never came to pass, including his declaration that former President Goodluck Jonathan would remain in office until 2019, that Atiku Abubakar would win the 2023 election, and that Boko Haram would bomb parts of the South-West.
“He even went as far as declaring Ifeanyi Ubah winner of the Anambra governorship election, but the people rejected him at the polls,” AND added.
According to the group, Yilwatda’s leadership qualities, rooted in his academic background, administrative experience, and grassroots connections, would determine the APC’s future, not Ayodele’s pronouncements.
“Professor Yilwatda commands respect across the North, especially in the North-Central. He is also a youth mobiliser who understands digital campaigns and coalition building across regions and faiths,” the statement said.
The group called on Nigerians to “ignore attention-seeking declarations” and focus instead on leaders with vision and credibility.
