Why Many Northern Govs Can’t Campaign for 2027 Polls – Kwankwaso Reveals

The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has claimed that several governors in Northern Nigeria may struggle to campaign for re-election or secure political support ahead of the 2027 general elections due to their alleged poor performance in office.

Kwankwaso made the assertion on Thursday at an NDC town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he also cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against assuming that its control of more than 30 states guarantees victory in the next presidential election.

According to the former Kano State governor, the growing dissatisfaction among Nigerians, particularly over insecurity in the North, could have serious political consequences for incumbent administrations.

He said the belief that an incumbent government could not be defeated because of the number of governors backing it was misplaced, recalling that former president Goodluck Jonathan had previously lost his re-election.

“A sitting president has lost an election before. I’m telling you this because of those who think they cannot lose an election because they have over 30 governors,” Kwankwaso said.

He argued that some Northern governors had performed so poorly that appearing before voters to campaign would become increasingly difficult.

“It’s a very big mistake, especially for those in the northern part of Nigeria who have performed woefully to the extent that it’s difficult for them to come out to campaign. People are very angry; insecurity is everywhere,” he said.

Kwankwaso also questioned the management of public resources by state and federal authorities, arguing that the substantial increase in government revenue had not translated into improved living conditions for Nigerians.

He recalled that when he served as governor in 1999, states and local governments received significantly less revenue than they do today.

The NDC chieftain said that despite the much larger revenues now accruing to governments, citizens were yet to see corresponding development across the country.

“Now in one year, we have seen it on social media that our government collected over N1.11tn, just less than one year. You go around, what have you done with that money? Close to nothing,” he said.

Kwankwaso maintained that the combination of poor governance, economic hardship and insecurity had deepened public frustration, warning that the anger could influence voting decisions in 2027.

He particularly identified insecurity in Northern Nigeria as one of the major issues that could affect the political fortunes of incumbent leaders.

Meanwhile, Kwankwaso has expressed condolences to the family of the late Emir of Gumel, Alhaji Ahmed Muhammad-Sani II, describing the traditional ruler as a distinguished and far-sighted leader.

The former Kano governor, in a condolence message posted on his verified X account on Thursday, said the late monarch would be remembered for his long service and leadership of the Gumel Emirate.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gumel, Alhaji (Dr.) Ahmad Muhammad Sani II,” Kwankwaso said.

He described the late emir as a leader who guided the emirate through decades of dedicated service.

“We shall always remember His Highness as a distinguished and far-sighted leader who guided the Gumel Emirate to remarkable heights over 45 years of dedicated service,” he said.

The emir died at the age of 85 on Thursday afternoon at a hospital in Egypt, according to an official statement.

His death came days after the death of the Emir of Zurmi in Zamfara State, Bello Suleiman, who died on Monday at the Federal Medical Centre, Gusau.

Kwankwaso prayed that Allah would grant the late monarch eternal rest and admit him into Jannatul Firdaus.

He also extended his condolences to the emir’s family, the Gumel Emirate, and the government and people of Jigawa State.