The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has been warned by Rauf Aregbesola, National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), that the party’s influx of governors does not ensure victory in the 2027 general election.

Speaking at the launch of a book authored by the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Aregbesola made the statements. According to him, the idea that a party’s electoral success is determined by the number of governors supporting it is refuted by recent electoral results in Nigeria.

“There is this assertion going around which is worrisome, because those of us who are Democrats, they said because 30 governors are supporting a party, and for that reason, that party is going to win the election,” he said.

He argues that such claims are not supported by historical evidence. This is not supported by recent data from Nigeria. However, Aregbesola stated, “I want the members to know that the results of the last election in this country never support this particular belief.”

He cited the 2023 general election to illustrate his point, referencing outcomes in the South-West and South-East regions. “I will use the results from two zones, South West and South East, to puncture this argument that governors define electoral victory for parties,” he said.

Aregbesola noted that despite the dominance of APC governors in the South-West during the last election, the party secured only about 55 per cent of the votes in the region, arguing that voter behaviour and political dynamics extend beyond the influence of state governors.