Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lose the 2027 presidential election, insisting that the mood of Nigerians is already turning against the current administration.
Abaribe made the assertion on Monday while speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a political affairs programme aired on Channels Television. His comments were monitored by New Daily Prime.
According to the senator, electoral defeat is an inevitable reality in politics, stressing that President Tinubu would not be an exception. He argued that public sentiment across the country suggests growing dissatisfaction with the federal government, which he believes will ultimately reflect at the ballot box in 2027.
“Everybody loses elections,” Abaribe said. “You will see that Tinubu will lose the 2027 election because I know what Nigerians are feeling outside.”
The outspoken lawmaker further claimed that President Tinubu did not genuinely win the 2023 presidential election, although he acknowledged that the president was officially declared winner and is currently recognised as Nigeria’s leader.
“Tinubu never won the election of 2023 and everyone knows it. He was declared winner, no problem. We acknowledge him as president, no problem,” Abaribe stated.
Despite this acknowledgment, the senator maintained that the opposition would challenge the ruling party more effectively in the next election cycle. He expressed confidence that lessons had been learnt from previous polls and that both political actors and voters would be better prepared to protect their votes.
“But we are going to meet him in the field, and we will see how he will couple together that thing that will make him win again; it won’t work,” he said.
Abaribe also criticised the conduct of the 2023 presidential election, particularly the announcement of results, suggesting that the process undermined public trust. He warned that such a scenario would not be repeated in 2027.
“Because this time, everybody will be ready. It will no longer be an announcement at 3 am that before people wake up in the morning, he’s been declared winner. No, it won’t work anymore,” the senator added.
He emphasised that Nigerian voters, whom he described as increasingly politically aware, would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the next presidential election.
“This time, we are ready and the masses are even more ready,” Abaribe said.
The remarks have sparked renewed political debate, coming amid growing discussions about governance, economic challenges and the direction of the country under the Tinubu administration. As 2027 approaches, statements such as Abaribe’s are expected to intensify political discourse and set the tone for what many observers believe will be a highly competitive presidential contest.
