Obi Says Governor Backing Won't Decide 2027 Election, Cites Past Win

Peter Obi insists gubernatorial backing won't determine Nigeria's 2027 election outcome, citing his 2023 performance where he won 12 states without any governor's support and alleging two states were rigged away. Speaking on Noire TV earlier today, the NDC presidential candidate stated that even with 36 governors backing the president, electoral success depends on making Nigeria work for the poor rather than godfather politics.

Obi noted Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso won only Kano State, while APC, PDP, and Labour each secured 12 states in the last election. He argued his actual tally would have been 14 states had two not been 'taken away through rigging,' rendering governor allegiance irrelevant to electoral outcomes. This challenges the conventional wisdom that state executive support is essential for presidential victory.

The former Anambra governor framed the upcoming campaign as a referendum on poverty alleviation, asking whether Nigerians will prioritize policies that uplift the poor over traditional power structures. Will this reframe resonate with voters weary of elite-driven politics, or do governor networks still hold unseen influence in shaping electoral results?

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/06/11/2027-having-36-govs-means-nothing-peter-obi/