Wike and Atiku
Paul Ibe, media aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has questioned comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declaring victory for President Bola Tinubu before the 2027 election is held.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Ibe argued that only the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has the constitutional authority to announce official election results.
He said Wike’s statement raises concerns about the credibility of the electoral process and the principle of equal treatment under the law.
Ibe asked, “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 questioned why security agencies had remained silent over the minister’s remarks, adding, “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.”
Ibe further stated, “If Wike can proclaim victory before voting, nobody should intimidate citizens for publishing verifiable polling-unit figures afterwards. The heavens will not fall!”
He added that, “this election is too consequential to be left to the whims and caprices of Wike and the APC anti-democratic forces.”
Ibe insisted that “There cannot be one law for Wike and another for everyone else.”
INEC has consistently maintained that it is the only body empowered by law to conduct elections and officially declare election results, while political parties and stakeholders have repeatedly called for a transparent and credible electoral process ahead of the 2027 general election.
