2027: I pity Tinubu because they’ll say he rigged after he wins - Sowunmi
Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised concerns about potential controversies surrounding the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria. During a discussion on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday, Sowunmi suggested that even if President Bola Tinubu secures victory, he may face allegations of electoral manipulation.
Sowunmi indicated that the aftermath of the election may be equally significant as its outcome, particularly regarding how rival candidates and their supporters react to the result. “I pity him (Tinubu) because after he wins, they’re going to start saying he rigged,” Sowunmi stated.
The PDP chieftain emphasized the importance of political party leaders and their supporters accepting the election results as crucial for maintaining national stability. He noted that the electorate possesses the power to choose their leaders, urging politicians to respect the democratic process, regardless of whether the outcome is favorable to them.
“The biggest challenge for the stability of this country going forward is not so much who will win or who will lose, but how they will accept outcomes,” Sowunmi said. He highlighted that results can differ from candidates’ expectations and warned against using those results as justifications for accusations of fraud or social unrest.
Sowunmi explained that if voters choose a rival candidate, continual denial of the election outcome can lead to the elected official facing unwarranted scrutiny and agitation. “If you insist that all you are going to do is scream up and down and instigate society, how does the winner become the victim of the votes people gave him?” he asked.
He urged political figures to prioritize Nigeria’s stability over partisan interests by acknowledging voter decisions and pursuing legitimate avenues to address disputed election results.
