Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, who represents Abia South in the National Assembly, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not truly win the 2023 presidential election and will lose the 2027 election if he seeks re-election.
Abaribe made the remarks during a political interview on Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye. The interview has since generated widespread reactions across the country, especially on social media, due to the strong claims made by the senator.
During the program, Abaribe questioned the popular claim that Tinubu has never lost an election in his political career. When the presenter suggested that history shows Tinubu has always won elections, Abaribe disagreed.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “Everybody loses elections. Everybody.”
When asked directly whether he believes Tinubu will lose in 2027, the senator responded confidently, saying the President will be defeated.
“You will see. He will lose 2027,” Abaribe said.
Asked what gave him such confidence, the Abia South senator said his belief is based on the mood of Nigerians across the country and growing public frustration.
“I know what Nigerians are feeling outside,” he said. “Tinubu never won the elections of 2023 and everybody knows it.”
Abaribe explained that while President Tinubu was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and sworn into office, many Nigerians were unhappy with the process and outcome of the election.
“But we said no problem,” he added. “He has been declared winner, no problem, we acknowledge him as President.”
President Tinubu was declared winner of the February 25, 2023, presidential election after INEC announced he secured the highest number of votes and met the constitutional requirement of spread across states. However, the election was followed by serious controversy.
Opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), rejected the results. Their candidates, Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, challenged Tinubu’s victory in court, citing alleged irregularities, voter suppression, and problems with the electronic transmission of results.
Although the courts later upheld Tinubu’s victory, public debate over the credibility of the election has continued. Many Nigerians complained about delays in announcing results, technical failures, and lack of transparency by INEC.
Abaribe referred to these issues when he spoke about the 2027 election, warning that the same approach would not work again.
“In 2027, we are going to meet him in the field,” he said. “And we will see that thing that he will couple together that will make him win again. It won’t work.”
One of the strongest parts of Abaribe’s statement was his reference to how election results were announced in 2023. He criticised what he described as late-night declarations of results.
“It will no longer be an announcement at 3am before people will wake in the morning and they will say ok,” he said. “This time, it will not work anymore.”
During the 2023 election, INEC announced some results late into the night and early morning hours. This fueled suspicion and anger among voters who felt excluded from the process.
Abaribe said Nigerians are now more aware and determined to protect their votes.
“This time, people are ready,” he said. “And we are ready. The masses outside are even more ready.”
The senator argued that if an election were held today, the outcome would be very different from 2023 due to public dissatisfaction with the current economic situation.
“If you do an election today, you know what will come up,” he said.
Since taking office in May 2023, President Tinubu has introduced major economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market. While the government says these reforms are necessary to fix Nigeria’s economy, many Nigerians have felt the impact through rising fuel prices, high transport costs, inflation, and increased cost of living.
Food prices have risen sharply, and many households are struggling to cope. Labour unions, civil society groups, and opposition politicians have repeatedly criticised the government, accusing it of failing to provide enough relief for ordinary citizens.
Abaribe’s comments reflect a broader sentiment among opposition figures who believe public anger could affect Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
Senator Abaribe is a long-standing figure in Nigerian politics. He is a former Deputy Governor of Abia State and has represented Abia South in the Senate for several years. He is known for his outspoken views and strong opposition role in the National Assembly.
He has also been a vocal critic of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu’s administration. In the past, Abaribe has raised concerns about governance, security, and economic hardship.
Supporters of President Tinubu have dismissed claims that he did not win the 2023 election. They point to court rulings that affirmed his victory and argue that economic reforms take time to yield results.
The presidency has often defended its policies, saying current hardship is temporary and necessary for long-term growth. Government officials have also highlighted investments in infrastructure, social welfare programmes, and security improvements.
Despite these assurances, many Nigerians remain impatient. With rising unemployment and inflation, public confidence in the government remains mixed.
Abaribe’s reference to “3am announcements” has struck a chord with many voters who felt disconnected from the 2023 election process. It has renewed calls for INEC to ensure real-time transmission of results and better communication with the public.
Civil society groups have also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful but vigilant during elections. They stress that protecting democracy requires both strong institutions and active citizen participation.
As 2027 approaches, it is clear that the debate over the legitimacy of the 2023 election will continue to shape political discussions. Opposition figures like Abaribe believe the ruling party will face a tougher challenge next time.
For many Nigerians, the focus is not just on who wins the next election, but on whether the process will be transparent, credible, and truly reflect the will of the people.
As Abaribe put it, “This time, people are ready.” How that readiness translates at the ballot box in 2027 will be one of the most important tests of Nigeria’s democracy in the years ahead.