Yoruba Union Blasts Senate President Akpabio As Stooge Of Tinubu, Accuses Him Of Plot To Manipulate 2027 Elections

Ikeja,  Lagos State– The Yoruba Union, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has condemned Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, accusing him of being a forger and a stooge of President Bola Tinubu, and alleging that his actions are a deliberate attempt to sabotage Nigeria’s electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Union further alleged that Akpabio unilaterally rejected the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) Result Viewing Portal (IREV) — a move the Union asserts is intended to manipulate the 2027 general elections in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Union’s Convener, Olusola Badero, and released by its Home Director, Princess Balogun, said Akpabio and his cohorts have prioritised their selfish interests over the welfare of over 200 million Nigerians.

“The Senate has knowingly undermined the integrity of elections and opened wider the doors for manipulation, rigging, and disenfranchisement of the Nigerian people,” Májékóbájé Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said.

The Union recounted the history of electoral violence and malpractice in Nigeria, highlighting how citizens have been victimized for exercising their voting rights.

“For long, Nigerians have been brutalised, killed for standing to see how their votes are being counted. But the same people at the National Assembly who claim to be lawmakers, when they see that their opponent seems likely to emerge victorious, send thugs to disrupt the entire voting process. Many times, they even steal ballot boxes,” the Union said.

The Union referenced specific incidents of violence, including the assault of a female voter in Lagos and the killing of a PDP women leader in Kogi after she defeated APC candidates in her ward, noting that such acts have historically led to the manipulation of election outcomes.

“Yet because of manipulation, while they know Nigerians are tired of them, Akpabio, working under the instructions of the President, wants to stop electronic transmission of election results through the backdoor — even after a majority of senators voted in support of electronic transmission,” Yoruba Union said.

The Yoruba Union also questioned the purpose of lawmakers if not to serve the people, accusing Akpabio of using his position to make laws that benefit himself and his allies, rather than the nation.

“While the world is going digital, Nigeria is lagging behind because those saddled with responsibility have failed the country. They make laws that favor themselves,” the statement added.

The Union also criticised President Tinubu, accusing him of hypocrisy and failed leadership.

“Tinubu claims to be a democrat but is using the National Assembly to take the country backwards instead of competing with other developed nations as a giant of Africa. He wants to reclaim his seat by fire and force after Nigerians have rejected him due to his failed leadership,” the Union said, highlighting the country’s current challenges, including insecurity, poverty, lack of access to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and other basic amenities.

The Yoruba Union called on Nigerians to rise and demand accountability, warning that the only weapon citizens have is their vote.

“Akpabio and Tinubu should not be allowed to tamper with that weapon. We must demand transparency and accountability from Nigerian leaders, irrespective of their party or affiliation. The country belongs to us, and we should not allow them to destroy it,” the Union added.