Flamingos’ Victory Shows Tinubu Will Win Re-election – Akpabio

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described Nigeria’s historic victory at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco as a sign that President Bola Tinubu will win re-election in 2027.

Akpabio said the Flamingos’ triumph ahead of the 2027 general elections was symbolic, expressing confidence that Nigerians would similarly vote massively for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and return Tinubu for a second term.

He spoke on Wednesday when he received members of the victorious Flamingos at the Senate wing of the National Assembly in Abuja.

“Perhaps, the prominence in choosing this hour for your triumph, just as we are about to go for the 2027 election, you brought this World Cup to us, which means that we have won the next election. It is the same way Nigerians are going to choose us in January 2027,” he said.

The Senate President further said that Tinubu’s receipt of the World Cup trophy from the players indicated he would also emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election.

“And for the President to be a President that receives this World Cup from you, it means he’s also going to receive a bigger trophy of his re-election into office as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So, continue the good work and continue to make us proud. The transformative spirit is already touching every sector of our economy,” Akpabio said.

The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027, according to the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC has cleared 18 presidential candidates and their running mates to participate in the election, following the conclusion of political party primaries and the publication of its final list of candidates on 12 September.

The candidates include Tinubu of the APC, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

Others are Sandy Onor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Omoyele Sowore of the African Action Congress (AAC), and Adewole Adebayo of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are scheduled for 6 February 2027.

Nigeria defeated Japan 2-1 in Saturday’s final at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco, to become the first African country to win the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Awawu Bashiru opened the scoring in the 39th minute before Oluebube Umejiaku doubled Nigeria’s lead shortly after the restart. Japan’s Fuki Ito reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but the Flamingos held on to secure the historic title.

The Nigerian side had lost its opening group-stage match 2-1 to Poland but recovered to win six consecutive matches and lift the trophy, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to lose its opening fixture and subsequently win the tournament.

They defeated Puerto Rico 2-0 and defending champions Korea DPR 3-1 in the group stage before overcoming Mexico 2-1 in the round of 16.

The team subsequently edged Venezuela in the quarter-finals and defeated Brazil 3-1 in the semi-finals to reach its first-ever final.

The victory also made Nigeria the first African country to win both the men’s and women’s FIFA U-17 World Cup titles.

In recognition of the historic achievement, the Senate on Tuesday announced a donation of N100 million to the team.

At Wednesday’s reception, Akpabio presented the cash donation to the players.

He urged the team to remain united and encouraged the technical crew, including the coaches, to sustain their training and development programmes to prepare the players for promotion to the Super Falcons, Nigeria’s senior women’s national team.

Editorial reminder: Verify the election dates, INEC candidate list, political affiliations and Akpabio’s direct quotations before publication.