Akpabio says opposition will claim rigging if Tinubu wins in 2027

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said on Wednesday that opposition parties will accuse the government of rigging if President Bola Tinubu wins his second term in 2027.

Akpabio spoke while hosting members of the City Boy Movement, a group that supports Tinubu, during their visit to his office at the National Assembly in Abuja.

As the Grand Patron of the movement, Akpabio urged them to step up efforts to mobilize support for Tinubu’s re-election. He believes that despite any criticism from the opposition, the President will win again.

He assured the group that they would make sure Tinubu has agents in every polling unit. This would help prevent a repeat of the issues during the 2023 election where some votes were reportedly not counted.

“The City Boy Movement is like a wind blowing across the nation. You may not see it but you can feel it. Every political party in Nigeria is already feeling the impact of the City Boy Movement.

“Never again shall we have a situation in any polling unit in Nigeria where Mr President will not have an agent because we have the City Boy Movement. In the last election, if your Movement had existed, many of our votes that were not counted in many polling units would have been counted.

“I want you to have it in mind that you have come up at the right time and I do know that you are all poised to ensure maximum victory come 2027. But when the victory of President Bola Tinubu will be announced, you will hear people saying it is rigged. That they did this or that. Ignore all those things and remain focused,” he said.

Akpabio also encouraged movement members and Nigerian youths to stay focused. He warned against cultism, drug abuse, and other social problems. He said they have a chance to shape the country's future by getting involved in politics and supporting Tinubu’s government.

He stated, “It is not a tragedy when a nonentity whimpers through life and ends up a failure in the grave. But it is a tragedy when a potentially achieving young man or woman, out of a flaw in his or her character, becomes a failure and ends up in the grave.

“Where you are now, you are privileged to work for the future of your country. You are privileged to tow the right path that has nothing to do with cultism or terrorism.

“You are privileged to chart the path of the next administration. You are also privileged to belong to the incoming government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in 2027. It will be a tragedy for any of you to derail. We assure you that here we are 100 percent with you.”

Earlier, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Francis Shoga, mentioned that the visit aimed to strengthen ties between the National Assembly and their group before their nationwide mobilization efforts.

He said, “We seek your continued guidance and support as we expand our programmes across the country, deepen civic engagement among the young Nigerians and contribute meaningfully to national development.”