As the 2027 general elections draw closer, political calculations are underway in many states of the federation regarding who succeeds outgoing governors, most of whom are eyeing the Senate. Our Correspondents across the country examine the outlook in some of the states.
In Oyo, the Pacesetter State, Governor Seyi Makinde will leave office by May 29, 2027, having served for two terms. He was planning to run for President on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but with his loss of factional fight to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesome Wike, and the fact that he appears to be the only PDP governor in the country presently, his political future is dicey.
He is scouting for which party to defect to, in order to stay relevant in politics. He had hobnobbed with former military President Ibrahim Babangida and former Kano State governor Mallam Rabiu Kwankwaso, reportedly, to defect to ADC, the former NNPP governor having defected to ADC.
Though rumours are rife that Makinde prefers Bimbo Adekanmbi (a former Finance Commissioner), he has not named anybody and has not declared which party his loyalists will vote for in 2027. He is likely to defect to the ADC and direct his members and loyalists to vote on the platform of PDP. Possible Successor.
Many aspirants have been jostling to succeed Makinde on the platform of PDP, among them: Dr. Debo Akande, Bimbo Adekanmbi, incumbent SUBEB Chairman, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogindoyin, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi,
Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi (incumbent Chief of Staff), Fatai Owoseni (rted CP and SA Security), Prof. Daud Sangodiyin (Incumbent Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources), among others. Makinde has however said that it is the people of Oyo State that will determine his successor, judging from such an aspirant’s competence, popularity and acceptability. Presently, he has not anointed or endorsed any aspirant.
Lagos: Quiet governor, loud speculations
The political permutations are intensifying in Lagos State over who will succeed Governor Babajide Olusola SanwoOlu, who is set to complete his second term in May next year. Unlike several governors in similar positions, Sanwo-Olu has not publicly indicated interest in pursuing another elective office, leaving his next political move open to interpretation.
This silence has, in turn, fueled growing curiosity among political observers and stakeholders about both his future and the direction of leadership in the state. Attention has, however, shifted to a number of prominent figures believed to be in contention for Lagos House. Among them are the Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; the Governor’s Chief of Staff; and the 2023 governorship candidate of the PDP, Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran.
Of these, Hamzat appears to be drawing increased attention. Observers point to his recent low public profile as a possible strategic move, amid speculations that he may have secured the backing of key power brokers within the All Progressives Congress in Lagos. His absence at notable public engagements, including the recent International Women’s Day event at Mobolaji Johnson Arena in Onikan, where the governor appeared alone, has further deepened the intrigue.
The absence, coupled with the visibility of goodwill billboards bearing his image across the state, has sparked interpretations of a carefully managed political positioning. While no formal endorsements have been made, the evolving dynamics suggest that the race for Lagos governorship in 2027 may already be quietly underway.
AbdulRazaq? Leaves everyone guessing
Stephen Olufemi Oni reports that Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, though on the verge of serving out his constitutional two terms, has left everyone guessing as to what his future political ambition is ahead of the 2027 general elections. While it is being suggested in some quarters that the governor is likely to contest for the Senate seat in the Kwara Central Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections, calls by not a few APC stalwarts, particularly in the Kwara Central Senatorial District on the governor to contest the Senate seat are pointers to suggestions that AbdulRazaq may truly be eyeing the covered seat.
For instance, the Chairmen of the APC across 52 Wards of Kwara Central have endorsed him to contest for the senatorial seat of Kwara Central in the 2027 general elections. The APC ward Chairmen made the endorsement at a recent press briefing in Ilorin. They said the call on the governor reflects the voice of the grassroots, the pulse of the people and confidence reposed in him, thus affirming their total loyalty to the APC in the state.
As to who would succeed him in 2027, Governor AbdulRazaq has publicly declared at the recent State Congress of the party that he is not interested in building any political dynasty, adding that his focus on leaving legacies of a better developed state has been achieved to the glory of God. Hence, his declaration that he had no anointed candidate during the last state APC congress, though political pundits opined that the mindset of the Governor is to zone the governorship slot to the Kwara North Senatorial District, a zone acclaimed to be marginalized for a long time.
Fintiri keeps mum in Adamawa
Clement Ekong reports from Yola that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State who will be serving out his tenure May 2027, is yet to disclose his next political dispensation. However, some of his political associates wanted him to vie for senatorial seat of his zone while Fintiri was geared towards offering ambassadorial appointment by Mr. President, according to source.
Before aligning with the APC, Governor Fintiri had bluntly and economically refused to make his next political dispensation known; rather he continually emphasized that his successor must be a grassroots politician. Right now, as political realignment continues to shape ahead of the 2027 general elections there are feelers that some forces want to skin the governor out from producing a successor by using their proximity to the presidency to ensure their candidate get the ticket against all odds.
Already tongues have started wagging over the alleged imposition of the former State Chairman Barrister Shuaibu Idris as the APC North East, Vice Chairman through fiat by the NSA, Nuhu Ribadu. Feelers in APC believed that Ribadu is clandestinely working to impose a dark horse in the person of Tijani Ahmed Galidima (TAG), as the party’s standard bearer ahead of 2027.
Sule reneges vow, eyes Senate
From Lafia, Cheke Emmanuel states that Nasarawa State is currently facing a defining moment as Governor Abdullahi Sule has begun moves to achieve a seamless transition. Sule is not losing sleep in navigating the multiple governorship aspirants on the platform of the ruling APC aiming to succeed him in 2027.
Sule was elected governor in a highly contested election in 2019 and was reelected for the second term in 2023. He has met the governorship aspirants to douse tension, where he warned them of bitterness and open confrontations in their bid to succeed him.
The governor is eyeing his successor from the Nasarawa West Senatorial zone where zoning arrangement has favoured The governor had penultimate week made public his intention to run for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat in 2027, after leaving office as governor.
Sule had previously vowed not to contest any elective position after his tenure, but lately, he reneged on his vow to run for the Nasarawa North senatorial seat, claiming he was pressured to do so. His senatorial ambition is threatened by some heavyweight who have indicated interest to contest the same seat on other parties, including former Information minister, Labaran Maku who recently defected from PDP to SDP.
In Bauchi, succession questions linger According to Nasir Shuaibu, political activities in Bauchi State have intensified as major parties jostle to secure the allegiance of Governor Bala Mohammed ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have stepped up efforts to woo the governor, with back-to-back visits by top party leaders in recent days. An APC delegation led by its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, met with Mohammed in Bauchi.
The visit came shortly after a similar engagement by an ADC team-led by former SGF, Babachir David Lawal. Both meetings were held behind closed doors and ended without official statements, further fueling speculation over the governor’s next political move. Mohammed has, however, assured that he will make his position known publicly.
Amid the uncertainty, attention is also shifting to the governor’s political future after leaving office. Political observers say Mohammed is eyeing a return to the Senate to represent Bauchi South Senatorial District, a move seen as part of broader post-governorship calculations. Meanwhile, the question of succession remains unresolved.
The governor has yet to officially endorse a candidate, though several names are being speculated. Among them is the Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is believed to enjoy support from key figures within the governor’s circle.
Others mentioned include the Commissioner for Rural Development, Faruq Mustapha, and the Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Kawule. However, loyalists insist that no anointed candidate has emerged. A party supporter, Tadakura Tirwun, said those projecting themselves as aspirants are acting independently.
Who succeeds Zulum?
Come May, 29th, 2027, the tenure of Governor Prof Babagana Zulum of Borno State will end and a new successor will emerge. Though his next move is not yet clear it is believed he might be going to the National Assembly as Senator.
But there are speculations that he will contest Borno Central Senatorial seat, while others are saying he may go Borno South Senatorial seat. Whether he is going to the Senate to represent Borno North or Central only time will tell. Zulum is an indigene of Maga Local Government areas of Borno State that forms part of Borno Central, but his ancestral home is in Monguno Local Government areas of Borno North.
Already, the jostling has begun, as the Senator representing Bormo Central, Senator, Kajashehi Lawan, the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Abubbakar Kyari, Senator representing Borno North, Senator Mohammed Monguno, the Commissioner for Education, Engr Abba Wakbr, the Executive Secretary, Borno State Geographic Service, Engr Adam Bababe were mention as likely successors of Zulum.
Senator Kajashehi Lawan, SAN, representing Borno Central is said to have upper hand as he is believed to have the blessing of Vice President Kashim Shettima, the supports of the politicians, youths and the security. Another likely successor of Governor Zulum is the Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubbakar Kyari, as he has the ears blessing of VP Shettima but many described him as to elites, as he grew was the son of former Governor of Kaduna State, Late Brigadier Abba Kyari, and that he does not have a grassroot touch.
The Commissioner for Education, Engr Lawan is another politician that has the high chances of succeeding Governor Zulum as he has the blessing of Governor Zulum as his boy right from the university and has been his special adviser on project monitoring, as well as the Chairman, Restriction and Resettlement of Refugees. To many, Lawan is likely to match the performance of Governor Zulum, as he has traversed the nooks and crannies of Borno.
Beyond reconstructing, resettling and repatriating IDPs and as Commissioner of Education, he supervised the construction and establishment of over 130 mega schools and high Islamic schools. Engr Adam Bababe is a young and energetic engineer, is also said to be a likely replacement of Governor Zulum.
As the Executive Secretary BOGIS, he has transformed the agency and also has the blessing and backing of the governor. The Senator Representing Borno North, Senator Mohammed Moguno and the Senate Chief Whip is also one of the likely politicians to succeed Governor Zulum.
He is one of the longest politicians that served in many governments right from former Governor Ali Modu Sherrif to date. He has served as commissioner, member House of Representatives and the Senate and has a good knowledge of the state politics.
