Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has projected that President Bola Tinubu may emerge victorious in as many as 22 states during the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, Sowunmi described the forthcoming contest as one likely to be dominated by President Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to fly the flag of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“The election is between Tinubu and Atiku; no doubt about it,” he said.
Despite belonging to the opposition PDP, Sowunmi argued that current political developments indicate that Tinubu could improve significantly on his 2023 electoral performance, including in areas where the ruling party has traditionally struggled.
“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.”
Commenting on the political dynamics in the North-West, Sowunmi said the region would remain crucial in determining the outcome of the election, stressing that influential political actors and financial power brokers often shape electoral outcomes there.
“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.”
He explained that his assessment was based on existing political alignments nationwide, particularly the positions being taken by governors and other influential figures ahead of the next electoral cycle.
However, Sowunmi maintained that national discourse should not be focused solely on the 2027 election, urging Nigerians to begin considering a new generation of leaders capable of charting a different course for the country.
“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?”
