Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) should be questioned if there were any irregularities in the conduct of the 2023 presidential election.

Sule made the remarks during an appearance on Mic On Podcast, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, an Arise TV anchor, while responding to questions about allegations surrounding the 2023 presidential election and INEC’s handling of the process.

The governor noted that INEC was the body that conducted and declared the election, saying: “INEC declared that I won the election in 2023. INEC that determined the election.”

SEE ALSO: 2027: Tinubu Has Done Enough Good To Win Re-Election — Gov Sule

Speaking about claims that both Labour Party’s Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar believed they won the 2023 presidential election, Sule questioned how the APC could have manipulated the election against both candidates.

He said: “So who won the election between Peter Obi and Atiku? Take President Asiwaju out. So who now rigged each other between the PDP and then the Labour Party? Because you are saying that Peter Obi said he won, Atiku said he won—”

On concerns over glitches on INEC’s Result Viewing (IReV) portal during the presidential election and allegations that “something fishy” may have happened, Sule said INEC should provide answers if there were any irregularities.

He stated: “Well, if something fishy went down, it is INEC herself that would be asked that question.”

Sule also referred to subsequent elections conducted under the current INEC leadership, including the Osun and Anambra governorship elections.

According to him, APC lost the Osun election without similar complaints, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) won in Anambra.

He said: “You know, and so far, all the elections… he held the election in Osun, and they didn’t say there was anything wrong with that one, because APC lost. We had an election in Anambra, there was no problem about that one, because APGA won.”

“You know, so it is anywhere APC won now that there is a problem. It doesn’t… life doesn’t work that way.” the governor added.

Human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take preventive measures to protect former Anambra State governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Ejiofor raised concerns over Obi’s safety ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that any harm to the presidential candidate could have serious consequences for Nigeria’s political and democratic environment.

READ MORE: 2027: Peter Obi ‘Unfit’ To Govern Nigeria — Onanuga Declares

In a statement issued in Abuja, Ejiofor said Obi’s recent expression of concern about his personal safety should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric.

He said when a presidential candidate publicly expresses uncertainty about his safety ahead of an election, the appropriate response should be “vigilance, sober inquiry and preventive action.”

“Nothing must happen to Obi,” Ejiofor said, calling on Tinubu to act now to protect the former Anambra governor and the democratic space.

The lawyer also cited recent developments surrounding the 2027 political season, including Obi’s complaints about difficulties faced by opposition politicians campaigning in some states and the controversy surrounding the obstruction of his convoy during a visit to Benue State.

According to Ejiofor, the circumstances require greater attention from government institutions, security agencies, political parties and other stakeholders.

He warned that if anything happened to Obi, the consequences could extend beyond the individual and potentially affect Nigeria’s already delicate electoral environment.

“If anything should happen to Peter Obi—God forbid!—the consequences would extend far beyond the individual concerned,” he said, describing the possible consequences as “disastrous and devastating.”

Ejiofor urged the Federal Government, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and state authorities to ensure that presidential candidates can campaign peacefully and that voters can freely hear competing political views.

He also called for political disagreements to be settled through the ballot and the law rather than intimidation, coercion or violence.

“Prevention is wiser than mourning,” Ejiofor said, stressing that Nigeria should not wait for a tragedy before taking steps to address concerns surrounding the 2027 political environment.

He further appealed for an electoral atmosphere where every legitimate contestant can campaign, political parties can organise peacefully and citizens can freely listen to and support candidates of their choice.

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure re-election in the 2027 presidential election, saying the administration has done “enough good” for the country through its reforms and other activities.

Sule made the statement during an interview with journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where he was questioned about the confidence of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections.

The governor said he had no ambiguity about his position on Tinubu’s political future, insisting that the President would return to office in 2027.

SEE MORE: 2027 Presidency: Otti Backs Labour Party Candidate, Says He Won’t Oppose Tinubu

“By the grace of God, President Tinubu is coming back as the president in the year 2027,” Sule said.

When reminded that he was only one voter among more than 200 million Nigerians and could not determine the outcome of the election, the governor said he was not alone in holding the view.

“So many other Nigerians say the same thing. I’m not the only one saying it,” he said.

Sule further predicted that Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima would return to office and be sworn in for another term on May 29, 2027.

“So, Insha’Allah, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, with his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, are coming back in 2027. They will be sworn in again on May the 29th, 2027, Insha’Allah,” he said.

The Nasarawa governor acknowledged that political outcomes were ultimately beyond the control of politicians, stressing that even an individual’s future could not be guaranteed.

“Even if you’re alive, you can’t determine,” Sule said, adding that such matters were “all in the hands of God Almighty.”

Asked about opposition figures and their determination to challenge the APC in 2027, Sule said he preferred not to engage in direct attacks against personalities including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

He instead focused on what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

“I do the best I can not to get involved with talking directly against people like His Excellency, you know, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, or maybe Kwankwaso, or maybe Peter Obi, or maybe that, because I try to avoid personalities,” he said.

“But what I’m trying to tell you clearly is the fact that this government has done enough, enough good, you know, for this country. From the reforms, from all the activities to get re-elected. And that’s why I say by the grace of God, the government will be re-elected.”

Sule also cited recent bye-elections as part of the basis for his confidence in the APC, pointing to elections conducted in states including Bauchi, Gombe and Kano.

He argued that the results demonstrated support for the ruling party and rejected claims that the elections were rigged.

“You know, so you hear all these statements, and they were not rigged. Because you say rigging, rigging, rigging… All those elections were not rigged,” he said.

The governor’s comments come as political activities and preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC and opposition parties positioning themselves for the presidential contest.