Rabiu Kwankwaso, Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned governors who believe they can manipulate the 2027 elections through state machinery to secure their re-election that they will be disappointed.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, said growing political awareness among Nigerians, coupled with dissatisfaction over insecurity, poverty, unemployment and declining public services, could work against incumbent governors seeking another term on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He spoke on Sunday in Abuja during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series.
His warning came as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians across the major parties already positioning themselves for the contest.
Kwankwaso’s comments also followed a recent wave of defections to the APC, with several political figures seeking to strengthen their chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
He insisted, however, that political calculations and control of state institutions would not necessarily translate into electoral victory, stressing that the ultimate decision rested with the electorate.
According to him, some governors who have failed to address the concerns of their constituents are now defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly believing that joining the party would give them access to the political machinery required to retain power.
‘What I foresee in the 2027 election is that most of the governors seeking re-election will be disappointed because people will not support them,’ Kwankwaso said.
The former Kano governor argued that the control of government structures alone would no longer guarantee electoral victory, saying Nigerians were increasingly conscious of the power of their votes.
He said the level of public dissatisfaction over insecurity and economic hardship, among other challenges, could become a major factor in determining the outcome of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso also questioned the political calculations behind the growing movement of opposition politicians into the APC, describing the defections as an attempt by some politicians to secure political advantage ahead of the general elections.
He, however, expressed confidence that Nigerian voters would ultimately have the final say at the polls, regardless of the political structures controlled by incumbent office holders.
The NDC chieftain said the large number of out-of-school children and the worsening security situation across the country were among the issues that should concern political leaders.
He used his tenure as governor of Kano State to argue that governments could improve citizens’ welfare when available resources were properly prioritised.
Kwankwaso said his administration expanded access to primary, secondary and tertiary education for qualified residents and implemented programmes aimed at addressing the Almajiri challenge.
He added that his administration also invested in educational infrastructure, including the construction of hostels for students.