2027 Election: Seun Okinbaloye Explains ‘Rigging’ Remark, Says Warning Was Not Against Any Party

Popular Channels Television journalist and broadcaster, Seun Okinbaloye, has defended his controversial warning that Nigeria’s 2027 general election was already being rigged, insisting that his remarks were not targeted at any political party, candidate or individual.

Okinbaloye made the clarification on Sunday during Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, following widespread reactions to his closing remarks on Friday’s edition of Politics Today.

The broadcaster explained that his warning was specifically about alleged irregularities in the voters’ register and the possibility of manipulating the electoral process before election day.

He said he neither mentioned any political party nor accused any presidential candidate or identified any individual as sponsoring the alleged manipulation.

“In my warning, I didn’t name any political party, accuse any candidate, and identify any sponsor. I only said 2027 election is already being rigged through fake voter register,” he said.

The clarification followed public debate over his earlier declaration that the 2027 election was already being rigged, with some Nigerians interpreting the statement as an accusation against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while others believed it was directed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

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Why Okinbaloye Raised the Alarm

During Friday’s Politics Today programme, Okinbaloye warned that electoral manipulation did not necessarily begin on election day, arguing that the process could be compromised much earlier through the manipulation of the voters’ register.

He urged INEC to urgently investigate suspected irregularities, including fake voter registrations, underage entries, duplicate records and other questionable information in the electoral database.

The journalist maintained that allowing an inaccurate voters’ register to remain unchecked could undermine the credibility of the 2027 general elections, regardless of the safeguards introduced on election day.

INEC’s Admission Fuels Electoral Concerns

The controversy comes against the backdrop of revelations by INEC‘s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Lawrence Bayode, that some registration officials allegedly used their official login credentials to introduce questionable records into the commission’s preliminary voters’ register.

Bayode reportedly disclosed during an interview on Arise Television that the commission discovered suspicious entries, including photographs suspected to have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI).

He explained that the irregularities were detected through INEC’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), adding that some questionable records were also linked to poor registration procedures.

INEC had acknowledged that the preliminary voters’ register was undergoing verification and that the public display, claims and objections exercise was intended to enable Nigerians to identify and report inaccuracies.

The commission is expected to complete its verification and data-cleaning exercise before certifying the final Register of Voters.

Okinbaloye Calls for Urgent Action

Okinbaloye insisted that Nigerians should be more concerned about addressing the alleged irregularities than engaging in arguments over his choice of words.

He stressed that electoral credibility must be protected long before voting begins, warning that weaknesses in the registration process could create opportunities for electoral malpractice.

He also called for a comprehensive investigation into the suspicious entries, an independent audit of the voters’ register and accountability for anyone found to have deliberately manipulated the registration process.

According to him, the responsibility of protecting the integrity of the 2027 elections rests not only on INEC but also on political parties, security agencies and Nigerians generally.

He maintained that his warning was not intended to favour or attack any political interest but to draw attention to potential threats to the country’s electoral process.

The development has renewed conversations about the credibility of INEC’s voters’ register and the need for transparency ahead of the 2027 general elections.

2027 Election: Seun Okinbaloye Explains ‘Rigging’ Remark, Says Warning Was Not Against Any Party

Tinubu Approves SUVs for FCT Traditional Rulers, Four Buses for Youths, says Wike

President Bola Tinubu has approved the purchase of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), following the recent upgrading of their traditional stools, Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed.

Wike also announced presidential approval for the provision of four buses to support youth mobilisation across the territory ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The minister made the disclosures on Saturday at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Rally and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.

The development was contained in a statement issued by the Deputy Director, Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Rabi Musa Umar.

Wike said the provision of official vehicles was part of President Tinubu’s recognition of the traditional institution and its contributions to maintaining peace, preserving cultural heritage and promoting stability in the FCT.

He noted that the President’s approval of the upgrading of traditional stools in the territory, after 27 years of neglect, demonstrated his administration’s commitment to strengthening traditional institutions.

“Mr President has said that you cannot just answer royal fathers by mouth. You cannot just answer royal fathers by entering Keke Napep. You cannot answer royal fathers by entering Okada. All of you, by the grace of God, before December, you will go with your SUV cars,” Wike quoted the President as saying.

The minister added that traditional rulers in the FCT deserved adequate recognition and support, given their strategic roles in their respective communities.

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“If there is any traditional institution that needs to be treated well, that needs empowerment, it’s the traditional institution of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

The rally, which attracted traditional rulers, chairmen of the six area councils, indigenous community leaders, youth and women groups, as well as political leaders, also witnessed a joint endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

The gathering equally endorsed Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North Federal Constituency and Hon. Danladi Chiya for Abuja South Federal Constituency.

Leaders of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the FCT were among those present at the rally.

Wike, however, warned political supporters against taking electoral victory for granted, insisting that the endorsements must translate into votes at the grassroots.

He charged party leaders and supporters to ensure victory in their respective polling units, wards and area councils, declaring that individual contributions would be critical to the outcome of the January 16, 2027 election.

“Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state,” he told the gathering.

He cautioned against celebrating collective victories when individual political leaders failed to secure their polling units.

“I don’t want to hear: I lost my polling unit, but we won. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say we won because you never contributed to the victory. So, everybody go home, it’s an operation to deliver your polling unit,” he said.

The minister also expressed confidence that Senator Aduda would emerge victorious in the 2027 election, arguing that the former senator had maintained a closer relationship with his constituents.

“We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. When you realise a mistake, you correct it. To God be the glory, come January 2027, Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda will be elected because he identifies with you and cares about you,” Wike declared.

He questioned the performance of the incumbent senator, asking whether he had convened meetings with constituents or sponsored legislation addressing the interests of the FCT.

In a further push to strengthen youth participation in the forthcoming elections, Wike disclosed that Tinubu had also approved four buses for young people in the territory.

He announced November 10 for an interactive engagement with youths from the six area councils, promising that the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss their concerns and participation in governance.

The minister also pledged a separate engagement with persons with disabilities, stressing that physical challenges should not be a barrier to participation in public life.

“Disability does not mean you do not have capacity,” he said.

Tinubu Approves SUVs for FCT Traditional Rulers, Four Buses for Youths, says Wike