2027: I Pity Tinubu, They’ll Say He Rigged After Winning — Sowunmi

Former Peoples Democratic Party spokesperson, Segun Sowunmi, has expressed concern that President Bola Tinubu could face allegations of electoral manipulation even if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Sowunmi made the remarks on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday while discussing the President’s prospects in the next presidential election.

The PDP chieftain said the major challenge facing Nigeria after the election would not necessarily be determining the winner but ensuring that candidates and their supporters accept the outcome.

“I pity him (Tinubu) because after he wins, they’re going to start saying he rigged,” Sowunmi said.

According to him, political parties and their supporters must be prepared to respect the choice of voters, regardless of whether the outcome favours their preferred candidates.

He argued that rejecting an election result without exhausting legitimate avenues for redress could threaten national stability and create unnecessary tension.

“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,” he said.

Sowunmi stressed that elections could produce results different from what individual candidates or political parties expected.

“Because if you do an election and people can vote for you, they can vote for your rival,” he added.

He warned that when a candidate loses and refuses to accept the outcome, continued accusations and agitation could create an unusual situation in which an elected leader becomes a target despite receiving the votes of the electorate.

“And if they do happen to vote for your rival and he wins, if you insist that all you are going to be doing is screaming up and down and instigating the society, how does the winner become the victim of the votes people gave him?” Sowunmi asked.

He urged political actors to prioritise Nigeria’s stability over partisan interests and allow voters’ decisions to prevail.

Sowunmi also encouraged candidates who believe an election was compromised to pursue established legal and constitutional channels rather than resorting to actions capable of destabilising the country.

His comments come as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major political parties and presidential hopefuls already positioning themselves for the contest.

He maintained that peaceful acceptance of credible electoral outcomes would be essential to preserving Nigeria’s democratic stability after the 2027 polls.