Jelili Gbadamosi
Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) vice-presidential candidate, has warned that many governors seeking re-election in 2027 could suffer defeat despite the political structures and government machinery at their disposal.
Kwankwaso issued the warning on Sunday in Abuja during the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Personality Interview Series.
The former Kano State governor said some governors who had failed to deliver on their campaign promises were now defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), allegedly in a bid to strengthen their chances of retaining power.
According to him, such political manoeuvres may not guarantee electoral victory, as Nigerians are becoming increasingly conscious of the performance of their elected representatives.
“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.
Kwankwaso attributed the growing dissatisfaction among citizens to challenges including insecurity, poverty, unemployment and inadequate public services.
He argued that the control of state structures would no longer be enough to secure votes, stressing that voters would increasingly assess candidates based on their records in office.
The former governor also cited the large number of out-of-school children and insecurity in several communities as evidence of the need for governments to prioritise issues directly affecting citizens.
Reflecting on his tenure as Kano governor, Kwankwaso highlighted his administration’s investment in education, saying it expanded access to primary, secondary and tertiary education for qualified residents.
He also said his government introduced initiatives aimed at addressing the Almajiri challenge and invested in educational infrastructure, including student hostels.
Kwankwaso further criticised the movement of politicians from opposition parties into the APC, arguing that some of the defections were motivated by political calculations ahead of the 2027 elections.
He maintained that, regardless of the political influence wielded by incumbent governors, the final decision would rest with voters at the polls.
He added that governments could significantly improve the lives of citizens if public resources were properly managed and directed towards addressing pressing social and economic challenges.
