2027: Most Governors Seeking Second Term Will Be Disappointed— Kwankwaso

The vice presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has predicted that most state governors seeking re-election in 2027 will suffer defeat at the polls.

Kwankwaso said growing political consciousness among Nigerians would make it difficult for some incumbent governors to secure another term, despite their control of state structures.

The former Kano State governor stated this on Sunday while featuring in a Personality Interview Series in Abuja.

He cautioned governors against relying on electoral manipulation and the control of state institutions to secure re-election, warning that voters were becoming increasingly determined to make independent choices at the polls.

“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,” Kwankwaso said.

According to him, some governors who had failed to address the concerns of their constituents were now defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly in the belief that the party’s political machinery would help them retain power.

Kwankwaso said issues such as insecurity, poverty, unemployment and deteriorating public services could significantly influence voters’ decisions in the 2027 elections.

He urged political leaders to focus on good governance rather than relying on political structures to impose candidates on the electorate.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso also said he was not worried about being treated as a “spare tyre” should he and the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, win the 2027 presidential election.

He expressed confidence in the understanding reached between him and Obi, saying the effectiveness of a vice-president largely depended on the relationship between the president and his deputy.

Kwankwaso said he expected an Obi-Kwankwaso administration to operate on the principles of cooperation, mutual trust and effective delegation of responsibilities.

“A president who trusts his vice-president and gives him meaningful responsibilities can achieve more for the country.

“And for me, I don’t think I will be sidelined by His Excellency, Mr Peter Obi, if we win the 2027 election,” he said.

The former governor cited his previous experience in government, including his time as deputy speaker, minister and governor, as evidence of his preparedness to work within a leadership structure.

He recalled that while serving as governor of Kano State, he deliberately assigned substantial responsibilities to his deputy, arguing that the arrangement allowed both leaders to contribute meaningfully to the administration.

He said he adopted a similar approach while serving as Minister of Defence by entrusting his Minister of State with specific responsibilities.

Kwankwaso warned that excessive concentration of power and the desire by political leaders to control every aspect of government could undermine effective administration.

According to him, presidents and governors would achieve more by delegating responsibilities and building teams capable of delivering on government objectives.

He also expressed confidence in Obi, describing him as a leader driven by the desire to leave a legacy of good governance rather than personal gain.

Kwankwaso said he would be satisfied with whatever responsibilities were assigned to him as vice-president, stressing that his priority would be serving Nigerians rather than pursuing personal interests.

He maintained that the success of the proposed NDC administration would depend on teamwork, mutual trust and the willingness of its leaders to place national interest above personal ambition.