By Jelili Gbadamosi
Segun Showunmi, A former ally of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned presidential candidates in the 2027 election against announcing themselves as winners before the official declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Showunmi issued the warning in a video that circulated on Saturday, stressing that the responsibility for declaring the winner of a presidential election rests with the electoral commission.
He said candidates or their supporters should not attempt to announce alternative results or declare victory independently, warning that such actions could have serious legal consequences.
Showunmi cited the events surrounding the 1993 presidential election, noting that the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola was imprisoned after declaring himself President following the election.
He argued that the political circumstances surrounding Abiola’s case should serve as a warning to politicians ahead of the 2027 poll.
“Anybody who attempts to declare himself will be taken for treason,” Showunmi said.
He urged opposition politicians and other presidential candidates to respect the electoral process and allow INEC to perform its statutory responsibility of declaring the results.
Showunmi also dismissed what he described as plans by some politicians to reject official results and announce their own figures, urging them to reconsider such actions before the election.
He maintained that the law provides the electoral commission with the authority to declare the winner of the presidential election and warned politicians against actions that could undermine the electoral process.
The former Atiku ally advised presidential candidates to conduct their campaigns and participate in the 2027 election within the limits of the law, rather than attempting to assume the powers of the electoral commission.
