FCT Elections Show There Will Be A Lot Of Litigations In 2027 – Reuben Abati

Veteran journalist and former presidential media aide Reuben Abati has predicted that Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will likely be followed by numerous legal battles in the courts.

Abati made the submission on Monday while speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show when he reviewed the outcome of the 2026 local council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He urged political parties to restrategize ahead of the 2027 elections, adding that it may be too much to hope that the amended electoral act, recently signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, will reduce rigging, or the influence of money in Nigerian elections.

Abati said, “It looks like in Abuja the vote has been won and lost. In Kano, APC won in the two by-elections, which will indicate that Governor Abba Yusuf, on the surface of it, has shown that he too can deliver the APC in Kano state.

“But generally, we have also seen that there may be a lot of litigations in 2027.

“Already the People’s Democratic Party is jubilating that, “oh, this is evidence of the resurgence of the PDP”. It is also saying that it won not just in Gwagwalada, it won in Kuje and also two local councils. and Dr Paul, I think that’s his name, Amos Paul, who is a candidate for the Abuja Municipal Council, said he’s going to go to court.

“So there will be a lot of litigation. If anyone thought that electoral 2026 will simplify and reduce rigging, reduce the influence of money and all of that, well that will be too much to hope for.

“We just hope that all the stakeholders, including the ADC that put up shows in Abuja and got nothing will learn from this and all the parties will restrategize. What that will imply in the future is something we cannot say.”