The media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, has criticised FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over his declaration that President Bola Tinubu had already won the Federal Capital Territory ahead of the 2027 election.
Ibe in a post on X on Tuesday, said only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the legal authority to announce election results. He questioned why Wike made such a declaration before Nigerians had cast their votes.
Ibe wrote, “INEC says it alone can declare official election results. Yet Wike has already proclaimed victory for Tinubu in the FCT: ‘We have won.’ Who appointed him Returning Officer before a single vote was cast?” He also criticised the silence of security agencies, saying, “Had an opposition leader said this, would security agencies not be scrambling to issue invitations? Mum has been the word in the circle of security agencies.”
According to him, “If Wike can proclaim victory before voting, nobody should intimidate citizens for publishing verifiable polling-unit figures afterwards. The heavens will not fall!”
He further argued that, “This election is too consequential to be left to the whims and caprices of Wike and the APC anti-democratic forces.”
“There cannot be one law for Wike and another for everyone else.”
His comments come as political activities continue to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general election, with INEC maintaining that it is the only institution empowered by law to conduct elections and officially declare winners.