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By Jelili Gbadamosi
A former ally of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Segun Showunmi has urged opposition politicians contesting the 2027 presidential election to learn from the experience of the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and avoid declaring themselves winners before the official announcement of results.
Showunmi gave the warning in a video circulating on Saturday, cautioning presidential candidates against attempting to announce their own results ahead of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He argued that politicians seeking to challenge the outcome of the election must operate within the provisions of the law rather than take actions that could expose them to legal consequences.
Referring to the 1993 presidential election, Showunmi said the circumstances surrounding Abiola’s declaration of victory should serve as a lesson to politicians preparing for the 2027 contest.
Abiola, the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, was later detained by the military government of General Sani Abacha after declaring himself President in 1994.
Showunmi maintained that none of the presidential hopefuls had the same standing as Abiola to justify taking similar action.
“Anybody who attempts to declare himself will be taken for treason,” he said.
The former Atiku ally stressed that INEC remained the legally recognised body responsible for declaring the winner of a presidential election.
He also warned opposition politicians against making statements suggesting that they would reject the official results and announce alternative figures.
Showunmi said he was offering the advice ahead of the election to prevent politicians from making decisions that could have serious consequences when the contest eventually takes place.
He urged all presidential candidates to respect the electoral process and allow INEC to discharge its responsibilities in accordance with the law.
