Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing the Abia South Senatorial District, has stated that it will be impossible for President Bola Tinubu to secure re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
Abaribe contended that the President did not genuinely win the 2023 election, asserting that the current hardships faced by Nigerians have intensified their resolve to prevent Tinubu from returning to power after 2027.
In response to claims that Tinubu has never lost an election, Abaribe, who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, remarked, “I do not believe that to be the case. Everyone loses elections, and you will see it when the time comes. He will lose in 2027 because I understand what Nigerians are feeling out there.”
He continued, “Tinubu never won the 2023 election; everyone knows it. However, we acknowledged him as president after he was declared the winner, but we will meet him on the field, and I am curious to see how he will piece together a victory again.
“It won’t succeed because this time everyone will be prepared. It won’t be an announcement at 3 a.m. before people awaken. This time, the public is ready, we are ready, and the masses are even more prepared.”
The senator remarked that the economy has collapsed under Tinubu’s leadership and expressed doubt about where he would find the votes to win in 2027.
### ‘I’ll Never Defect to APC’
Regarding the defection of some opposition leaders to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abaribe firmly stated that he would never join the trend, asserting he would be the last person to do so.
He opined that rather than strengthening the APC as a party, these defections would exacerbate internal divisions and fuel leadership disputes.
“If anyone is going to defect to the APC, I believe I should be the very last one. By the time I defect, it would mean there are no parties left in Nigeria, including the APC,” he commented.
“I have a straightforward theory regarding defections. I think it is beneficial for us in the opposition that these defections are occurring. The APC is merely absorbing all the issues it will face; they are already within the party. Consider what is happening in all the states where defections are taking place.”
The lawmaker characterised the APC as a giant with feet of clay, asserting that the opposition would target its vulnerabilities during the election, leading to its downfall.
### ‘ADC Not Working for Atiku’
Abaribe, reaffirming his commitment to the opposition coalition, stated that there is a consensus among opposition leaders to unite in order to unseat the APC from power.
The coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for the 2027 elections, but many have suggested that this move is a strategy to elevate Atiku Abubakar and compel all opposition members to support him.
However, Abaribe disagreed, asserting that the party has yet to release its guidelines and other arrangements in preparation for the 2027 elections.
