Tinubu may win 22 states in 2027 election, says Segun Sowunmi

Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has predicted that President Bola Tinubu could secure victories in about 22 states in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Sowunmi said the contest is already shaping up as a straight fight between Tinubu and former Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The election is between Tinubu and Atiku; no doubt about it,” he said.

Although a member of the opposition PDP, Sowunmi said recent political developments suggest Tinubu may improve on his 2023 performance in several parts of the country, including regions that have traditionally been difficult terrain for the ruling party.

“I believe that he’s going to win significantly better numbers in the south-east because those are not places they usually get better numbers before,” he said.

“Of course, he is going to get good numbers in the south-west. I even suspect that the south-south may bring in more good numbers than the south-east, the way I’m looking at things.

“The president is going to do very well in the north-central, and he will do significantly better than he did the last time in the north-west.

“It may not be big wins; but he may just steal it. I think if he works very hard, he could do with 22 states.”

Sowunmi said the north-west remains one of the regions to watch, noting that political influence in the zone often extends beyond party labels and is shaped by alliances among key actors.

“For the north-west, you have to look at where the big players are, the big boys that control the election and the big money,” he said.

“Take Kano for instance, they now have Shekarau over and above Ganduje. I have also looked at the big money people in Kano.”

The PDP chieftain said his projections are based on current alignments across the country, particularly the positions being taken by governors and influential political figures ahead of the next election cycle.

Still, he suggested that Nigeria’s political conversation should not be consumed entirely by 2027.

According to him, attention should also be shifting towards the next generation of leaders capable of offering the country a fresh direction.

“As a person, as far as the presidential election in Nigeria is concerned, I have started looking at 2031,” he added.

“Who are the people that we should begin to look out for so that we can get out of these recycled elements, who obviously do not inspire much for the entire effort of the country?” (TheCable)