Rabiu Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s control of more than 30 states does not guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso spoke on Thursday in Port Harcourt at a town hall meeting with voters, where he and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi fielded questions on the party’s prospects in the 2027 election.

The former Kano State governor cited the 2015 presidential election, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid to Muhammadu Buhari despite the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) controlling about 20 states at the time.

According to results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jonathan won 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory, while Buhari won 21 states, 11 of which were controlled by the PDP before the election.

Tinubu, who defeated Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 election, is seeking a second term on the APC platform. The party currently controls about 31 states.

Kwankwaso said relying on the number of governors controlled by the ruling party would be a mistake.

“Jonathan was the sitting president and he lost the election. Those who think that because they have over 30 governors they cannot lose are making a very big mistake,” he said.

He also criticised the performance of several governors, particularly in northern Nigeria, alleging that many had failed to deliver meaningful development.

“The trend is that those governors and their parties have performed woefully. It is difficult for many of them to even come out and campaign because, from top to bottom, they did absolutely nothing,” he said.

Kwankwaso further argued that Nigeria needs a committed and capable president with the experience to address the country’s challenges.

He urged Nigerians to make the right choice in 2027, warning that another political mistake could have costly consequences for the country.

“This is the time to get it right,” he said.

Also speaking, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the NDC governorship candidate in Rivers State, commended party members for their resilience and commitment, expressing confidence that the party would build “a Nigeria that works.”