2027: Kwankwaso says governors may discover political structures cannot guarantee re-election

By Musa Baba Adamu with agency report

The growing influence of political structures and control of state institutions may not be enough to secure re-election for many Nigerian governors in 2027, former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has warned.
Kwankwaso, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential running mate, said the political awareness of Nigerians was increasing, making it increasingly difficult for governors to rely solely on incumbency, party machinery or control of state structures to retain power.
He made the remarks while featuring in the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series in Abuja on Sunday.
According to Kwankwaso, a significant number of governors seeking second terms could face rejection from voters despite the political advantages that come with occupying the highest office in their respective states.
“What I foresee in the 2027 elections is that most of the governors seeking re-election will be disappointed because people will not support them,” he said.
The former Kano governor cautioned political leaders against assuming that control of government institutions or party structures would automatically translate into electoral victory.
His warning comes amid increased movement of politicians into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with several governors and political actors reportedly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kwankwaso suggested that some governors who had failed to adequately respond to the needs of their constituents were gravitating towards the APC because they believed the party’s political machinery would give them an advantage at the polls.
He, however, argued that such calculations could prove unreliable as voters become more conscious of political developments and increasingly judge leaders by their performance.
According to him, dissatisfaction over insecurity, poverty, unemployment and declining public services could become decisive factors in the 2027 elections.
The former governor’s prediction comes against the backdrop of a growing debate over whether Nigeria’s traditional political structures still command the level of influence they once enjoyed.
Recent political contests have increasingly highlighted the importance of grassroots mobilisation, voter sentiment and the personal popularity of candidates, rather than simply the strength of the party machinery behind them.
Kwankwaso’s warning therefore presents a challenge to incumbent governors seeking another term: that political alliances, defections and control of state structures may offer tactical advantages, but cannot necessarily overcome widespread dissatisfaction among voters.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the former Kano governor’s remarks suggest that incumbency could become less decisive if voters choose to punish governors they believe have failed to meet their expectations.
For governors preparing for re-election, the message is clear: political machinery may help organise an election campaign, but the ultimate test could be whether voters are satisfied enough with their performance to give them another mandate.