By Comfort Asemota
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has no chance of winning a second term in the 2027 presidential election, citing worsening economic hardship and growing public discontent across Nigeria.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, December 15, Abaribe dismissed claims that Tinubu has never lost an election, insisting that Nigerians are increasingly politically aware and determined to vote against the current administration.
According to the senator, the level of suffering in the country has strengthened citizens’ resolve to reject Tinubu in the next general election.
“Everybody loses elections, and you will see when the time comes. He will lose in 2027 because I know what Nigerians are feeling outside,” Abaribe said.
The lawmaker also questioned the legitimacy of Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 presidential election, claiming the president did not genuinely win but was declared the winner regardless. He noted that while the opposition accepted the outcome at the time, it would be better organized and prepared in 2027.
“Tinubu never won the 2023 election, and everybody knows it. But he was declared the winner, and we accepted it. This time, everybody will be ready,” he stated.
Abaribe argued that future elections would not be decided through overnight announcements, stressing that Nigerians, opposition parties, and the masses are now more vigilant and prepared to defend their votes.
The senator further criticized the Tinubu administration over economic challenges and insecurity, questioning where the president would secure enough votes to justify a second term.
Reacting to the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abaribe ruled out any possibility of joining the party, saying such a move would only happen if no political party remained in Nigeria.
“If I ever defect to the APC, it would mean there are no parties left in Nigeria, including the APC,” he said.
He maintained that the influx of defectors would weaken rather than strengthen the APC by deepening internal crises and leadership struggles within the party.
Abaribe described the APC as a fragile political structure and expressed confidence that the opposition would capitalize on its internal problems ahead of the 2027 elections. He also reaffirmed his commitment to the opposition coalition, which has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform, dismissing claims that the move was solely to advance Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition.
According to him, the coalition is yet to finalize its internal guidelines but remains united in its objective of unseating the APC in 2027.
