Governors don’t decide elections outcome, Obi tells supporters

By Jude Opara

The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has expressed confidence ahead of the 2027 general elections, arguing that electoral success is determined by voters rather than the backing of state governors.
Speaking during an interview in Washington, D.C., Obi said he was not concerned about the growing influence of President Bola Tinubu among governors across the country, insisting that political endorsements alone cannot guarantee victory at the polls.
According to him, the outcome of the 2023 presidential election demonstrated that candidates can perform strongly without the support of governors.
Obi recalled that during the last election cycle, he contested without the backing of any state governor but still secured victories in several states across the federation.
“For the 2027 election, it doesn’t matter if all 36 governors are with President Tinubu,” Obi said, maintaining that the electorate remains the most important factor in determining election results.
The former Anambra State governor argued that popular support and grassroots mobilisation would play a more decisive role than alliances among political elites as the country approaches another election season.
He further reflected on the outcome of the 2023 presidential contest, claiming that his performance at the polls showed that Nigerians were willing to support candidates outside the traditional structures of power.
Obi also revisited controversies surrounding the election results, alleging that he lost victories in some states due to irregularities in the electoral process.
He referenced the voting pattern of the 2023 election, noting that different parties recorded victories across multiple states, a development he said reflected the diversity of political preferences among Nigerians.
The NDC candidate maintained that political calculations based solely on the number of governors supporting a candidate could be misleading, as voters ultimately make the final decision on election day.
His remarks come amid growing political realignments and coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, with major parties seeking to consolidate support across the country.
Political observers say Obi’s comments are aimed at reassuring supporters that electoral success is still achievable despite the perceived advantage enjoyed by incumbents and parties with extensive control of state structures.
The former presidential candidate’s latest remarks underscore what is likely to become a major theme of opposition campaigns ahead of 2027, the argument that popular mandate, rather than political office holders, will determine the outcome of the next presidential election.