Abaribe Predicts Tinubu’s Defeat in 2027, Cites Hardship and Insecurity

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has declared that President Bola Tinubu will not secure re-election in the 2027 presidential contest, insisting that the President Tinubu never genuinely won the 2023 election. According to the Abaribe, the prevailing economic hardship and deepening insecurity across the country have strengthened public resolve to prevent Tinubu’s return to office after 2027.

Speaking on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television, Abaribe argued that Nigerians are increasingly dissatisfied with the Tinubu administration’s performance. He maintained that this dissatisfaction would translate into electoral defeat for the President Tinubu, regardless of claims that Tinubu has never lost an election. The senator Abaribe said the realities on the ground, rather than political mythology, would determine the outcome in 2027.

Abaribe emphasised that while the opposition recognises Tinubu as the declared winner of the 2023 election and accords him the legitimacy of office, this recognition does not erase public sentiment. Abaribe stated that the next election would be markedly different, with voters and opposition forces better prepared to protect their votes.

Tinubu Administration:Hardship, Insecurity, and the 2027 Outlook

Abaribe linked his prediction of Tinubu’s defeat directly to the current economic conditions faced by Nigerians. He described the economy as having collapsed under the present administration, noting that rising living costs, unemployment, and general hardship have left citizens frustrated and disillusioned.

He further criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, arguing that persistent security challenges across various regions have undermined public confidence. According to him, these unresolved issues raise serious questions about where the President Tinubu would source the popular support required for another electoral victory.

The senator dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s political history guarantees success in 2027. Abaribe maintained that elections are ultimately decided by the electorate’s lived experiences, adding that “everybody loses elections” when public trust erodes. In his view, the mood of Nigerians outside political circles signals a strong desire for change.

Abaribe Rejection of APC Defections and Party Realignments

Addressing the recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abaribe firmly ruled out joining the trend. He stated that he would be the last person to defect to the APC, arguing that such a move would only make sense if no political parties were left in the country.

Rather than strengthening the APC, Abaribe contended that the defections would worsen internal divisions and intensify leadership struggles within the ruling party. He described the APC as a “giant with feet of clay,” asserting that the influx of defectors merely imports unresolved conflicts into the party’s structure.

According to the senator, the opposition views the situation as an opportunity. He argued that the internal contradictions created by defections would weaken the APC ahead of the next general elections, making it easier for the opposition to target its vulnerabilities.

Opposition Coalition and ADC Platform

Abaribe reaffirmed his commitment to the opposition coalition formed to challenge the APC in 2027. He confirmed that the coalition has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform, describing the move as part of a broader strategy to unite opposition forces.

However, he rejected claims that the ADC adoption is a scheme designed to impose former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on the opposition as a consensus candidate. According to him, the party has not yet released its guidelines or outlined the procedures that would determine candidacies for the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the coalition’s primary objective is to build a credible, unified front capable of dislodging the ruling party. Abaribe stressed that decisions regarding candidates would follow due process and internal agreements, rather than being dictated by any single political figure.