2027: Ministers eyeing governorship seats

At least five ministers in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Federal Executive Council contested for the governorship seats in their respective states in 2023.

They are Ahmed Idris Malagi, the minister for information; Nentawe Yiltwada Goshwe, minister for humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction; Adegboyega Oyetola, minister marine and blue economy; Bello Matawalle, minister of state for defence and Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power.

ln addition to the five that contested in 2023, there are Senator Abubakar Kyari and Yusuf Tuggar, who in the past, have indicated interests in vying for the governorship positions in their respective states of Borno and Bauchi, and who may use their present positions to revive their ambitions.

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With the five being candidates of the APC in 2023 except Malagi who lost in the primary, their appointments as ministers are believed to be in order to make up and enable them sustain their relevance and empower them to consolidate on their efforts in future.

Barely one year to the primary elections, it is believed that some of them have started showing signs that betray their interests to re-contest the governorship elections.

In the case of Matawalle and Oyetola, it is a case of re-engaging old opponents under a different scenario believing that the odds favour them now than in 2023 when they lost.

For Adelabu, the coast seems clearer now with the current governor, Seyi Makinde, rounding off his second term and a Tinubu presidency that may favour an APC candidate in the South West.

In the past

Since the Second Republic, ministerial appointments, especially in states not under the grip of the ruling party, have been seen as special arrangements to empower the beneficiaries to challenge sitting governors.

In the build up to the 1983 elections, Shehu Shagari’s minister for Federal Capital Territory, Mr John Khadiya, who hailed from Plateau State, challenged the then governor, Chief Solomon Lar, in a keenly contested race that rattled the NPP as the ruling party in the state.

It was however the reverse in Benue State where Chief Paul Unongo, who served as minister of steel in the Shagari administration under the NPN-NPP accord, challenged the NPN governor, Aper Aku, and gave the latter a run for his money.

Subsequently, the method became a deliberate political strategy for the ruling parties to win states not controlled by them. But it also enabled others who benefited from such appointments to challenge the status quo.

Under the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, many  ministerial appointees saw their elevations as invitations to challenge their governors whether they belong to the same parties or not.

Damishi Sango, who was minister of sports, later ran against Joshua Dariye on the platform of the AD in 2003 though they were initially in the same party; Solomon Ewuga who was minister of state for FCT was highly touted as contesting, Isa Yuguda in Bauchi and others.

When Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso lost the governorship seat in 2003, he was appointed minister of defence and later was able to reclaim the seat in 2011. Adamu Maina Waziri who has contested the governorship previously was also appointed minister in the Umaru Yar’Adua cabinet and later intensified his bid to take over the Yobe Government House.

Other former ministers who used their positions to take a go at the governorship seat include   Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom; Bala Mohammed, Darius Ishaku etc.

What is happening now 

In the current dispensation, no less than seven persons are believed to be eyeing the governorship seats of their respective states regardless of whether they belong to the same parties as the current governors or not.

Sources told Weekend Trust that they are not letting go as they believe the office of a governor is more secure and powerful than that of a minister whose tenure is at the discretion of the president.

The fact that the position is zoned to senatorial zones have made them not to give up because allowing the incumbents complete an eight year-reign would seal their fates as by 2031, the position would have been moved to another zone as is the case in Niger and Plateau states.

Our correspondents also found that for the ministers who have been governors before but failed to secure their second terms, like Matawalle and Oyetola, they see 2027 as a good opportunity to bounce back since their party is in control of the centre.

There are indications also that those that ran in 2023 but lost have continued to oil their structures and have not surrendered same to the governors, signalling the fact that they have not withdrawn their ambitions.

Weekend Trust also observed that there are those who did not contest in 2023 but have indicated interests in the past but now see a golden opportunity to strike as the seat would be vacant in 2027 due to the term limits of the incumbents. They include Senator Abubakar Kyari and Yusuf Tuggar.

Borno and Kyari

Senator Abubakar Kyari is the former deputy national chairman (north) of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who later replaced Abdullahi Adamu as chairman.

Kyari’s political journey started in 1996 when he became a founding member of the United Nigeria Congress (UNC) which later morphed into the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP).

He contested and won a House of Representatives seat in 1999 under the All People’s Party (APP), after four years in the green chamber and was made a commissioner in Borno State.

However, during the tumultuous years of picking a successor to Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, Kyari was widely believed to be among the most qualified.

But the governor decided to anoint his cousin, Fannami Gubio, to succeed him, a move that angered key party members and supporters. Gubio was assassinated a few months before the election.

Kyari was again touted as a possible replacement after the murder of Gubio, but fate played a fast one and Kashim Shettima, the current vice president got the nod of the then governor.

Kyari, who later became a senator representing Borno North but resigned to join President Tinubu’s cabinet, is widely believed to be among the forefront aspirants for the governorship position in 2027.

Many believe he has what it takes to run because of his experience and loyalty to both Zulum and Shettima.

Political analysts also opine that Kyari may have Tinubu’s blessing and the party’s support at the national level to clinch the gubernatorial position. 

He is hailed as having stayed with the opposition since 1999 even when many of his contemporaries were moving to the then ruling party, PDP.

During the September 10 flood disaster that ravaged Maiduguri, Kyari had, through his Ministry of Agriculture, donated 100 trailers of rice; 50 trailers of maize; 30 trailers of sorghum; and 20 trailers of millet to the victims.

Oyo and Adelabu

It is a no brainer that the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, giving his two attempts at the governorship, would not allow this opportunity to slip past him.

He is one of the major contenders for the Oyo State governorship poll in the next election. His credentials, political party and current position place him at the front burner in the battle to take over from Governor Seyi Makinde.

When Adelabu, then Deputy Governor in charge of operations at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in 2028, resigned to pursue his governorship ambition, he was quick to gain political prominence riding on his family’s political legacy in the state. 

He is the grandson of late Adegoke Adelabu, one of Oyo’s most revered politicians. Late Adelabu was referred to as a flamboyant and articulate grassroots politician of the pre-independence political era in the South West of Nigeria. His political influence in the Western Region was profound, and his name still commands respect, particularly in Ibadan. The phrase “Penkelemesi”, a corruption of “peculiar mess,” which late Adelabu famously used in a political debate, still remains a part of Yoruba political lexicon.

In the build-up to 2019 guber poll,  Adelabu adopted his grandfather’s “Penkelemesi” to gain relevance. He however did not win despite flying the APC’s ticket.

He re-contested for the seat in 2023 on the platform of the Accord Party after defecting from the APC. Again, he lost to Makinde.

Despite contesting on the platform of the opposition party, President Bola Tinubu handed him a ministerial nomination and assigned him the Ministry of Power. 

In December 2023, Adelabu returned to the ruling APC and he has been putting in structures towards his ambition in 2027.

Although he declared that his return to APC was to help Tinubu’s administration succeed, insiders say the decision remains a strong pointer to his governorship ambition.

Adelabu, while speaking at the party’s secretariat in Oyo State, said “I returned not because of 2027 governorship ambition or to take over the party, but because I believe this is a party that brought President Bola Tinubu to power, and we need to support him to deliver on his electoral promises.” 

He added that “This is not time for politics, it is time for governance and Tinubu needs our support for him to succeed and deliver on his Renewed Hope Agenda.

“I have come back to the party not to take over the party and not to dissolve executives; we have come to the party to extend hands of fellowship and reconciliation.”

Adelabu assured cooperation and collaboration to build a strong party so that the party “will take over power in the state at the end of the day in 2027.”

Findings revealed that Adelabu has been re-strategizing to replace Makinde as Oyo governor come 2027. Insiders say that the financial expert has improved on his relationship with Makinde who is a major political force in the state. Makinde promised to name his preferred candidate in January next year.

It was gathered that Adelabu, despite being a minister, stays more at home in Ibadan as part of his strategy to “get closer” to the people. He is said to be in charge of most of the Federal Government’s palliative items distribution for Oyo State and he is taking advantage of the opportunity to solidify his position as leader in the state’s APC.

For Adelabu to get the APC’s gubernatorial ticket in 2027, it will be a straight fight between him and the party’s candidate in the last election, Teslim Folarin. Fatai Buhari, Senator representing Oyo North and other politicians are equally eyeing the ticket.

However, keen watchers believe that Adelabu banking on the support of President Tinubu will likely secure the ticket the same way he was appointed minister despite being an opposition figure.

Plateau and Nentawe

Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda was the APC governorship candidate in Plateau State in 2023. He is currently Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction.

Immediately he was announced as minister last year, the APC in Plateau State became energized.

His recent visit to the state confirms he is still interested in running as governor.

Our correspondent reports that the minister paid condolence visits to the families of those who lost loved ones recently to sympathize with them over their losses.

Pundits argue that the minister’s condolence visit is a strategic move to bolster his opposition stance, demonstrating his commitment to the community and potentially garnering support from influential families and stakeholders in the state. 

The minister also visited the Paramount Ruler of Ngas, Chief Jikat Golit, in the Plateau Central senatorial district, Pankshin LGA. Sources told Weekend Trust that this condolence visit was to mourn the death of David Parradang, the former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Immigration, who hailed from the area.

Political commentators opine that these visits could also serve to strengthen the minister’s relationship with the traditional leaders, other key stakeholders and the entire Ngas community politically. 

To further strengthen the relationship with other stakeholders, the minister visited the National Chairman of Izalatil Bid’a Wa’ikatis Sunnah , Sheikh Sani Yahaya Jingir, over the death of deputy national chairman of the group, Sheikh Hassan Jingir. Pundits say this visit could also harmonize his relationship with the group and Muslim community. 

For the first time since his defeat, the minister – a COCIN member, attended a church service at the COCIN headquarters, where he engaged with women, especially widows, and empowered them. Political commentators say the development could earn the minister sympathy from women and church members at large.

The minister visited a Jos market where locally produced foods by different ethnic groups in Plateau are showcased. In the market, dishes made by the ethnic groups were patronized. Pundits opine that this visit to the market can add to his political career by showcasing his support for local businesses and cultural diversity, potentially boosting his popularity and credibility among residents.  

Impact of visit 

His recent visit to the state has spoken volumes with residents, especially politicians, expressing divergent views from both the opposition and the ruling PDP. For the APC faithful, his visit was a welcome idea and has given them courage to discuss party politics despite the opposition in the state. 

What marks a new era in the state’s political atmosphere is the minister’s recent appearance on a Rhythm FM programme in Jos. During the programme, he explained that his silence was intentional, as he wanted to give the state government the opportunity to focus on implementing developmental projects. He said “Politically, I have the capacity to put pressure on the state but I choose to give them space to work so we can rate them at the end.” 

During the radio programme, the minister criticized some of the state government’s policies and actions. He reflected on his close relationship with the previous government, saying, “I was very close to the Simon Lalong government; Lalong achieved a lot in terms of roads.” He then posed a question, “Can we put on the table the achievements of the APC and PDP?” 

But the stance of the party in the state that there’s no automatic ticket for any contestant is seen as a hindrance.

Rufus Bature, state chairman of All Progressive Congress (APC), Rufus Bature, said APC as a Democratic Party will give chance to interested individuals who want to contest for the party’s primary, explaining that the issue of giving an automatic ticket to an individual depends on the general decision of the people in the state.

Lokpobiri in Bayelsa

Though the 2027 off-cycle governorship election in Bayelsa State is two years away,  politicians from the state who have ambition to succeed Governor Douye Diri are already consulting and meeting key power brokers in the state.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the current minister of Petroleum Resources (Oil), is one of the frontier contenders who are eyeing the governorship seat of the oil rich state.

Lokpobiri, a former Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and two term Senator, had in 2027 contested for the governorship primary of APC in 2019 but lost to Chief David Lyon.

Though he seems to have had misunderstanding with former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is leader of the party in the state, but Lokpobiri’s alliance with the Minister for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, may give him an easy ride to the creek haven, the Bayelsa State seat of power.

Though, the zoning may not favour Lokpobiri’s Bayelsa West Senatorial district, since the generality of the people in the state think power must move to Bayelsa East Senatorial District, who last produced governor through Timipre Sylva about 13 years ago, but Lokpobiri’s supporters are of the opinion that there is no zoning arrangement in APC.

Though Lokpobiri is yet to publicly declare his intention to run for 2027 governorship race, the body language and moves by his supporters show he is interested in it.

With Lokpobiri as serving minister and support from his political ally, Chief Nyesom Wike, it may be very easy for him to get the ticket of APC for the 2027 election.

His supporter from Ekeremor local government told Weekend Trust on condition of anonymity that Lokpobiri has built his political family right from when he was in the House of Assembly, and the support base for his governorship election is overwhelming.

He said all the local governments in the state will vote for Lokpobiri if he decides to join the race and if APC gives him a ticket, because he has also backed his politics with human empowerment.

Malagi and Niger 

Political watchers believe that the growing cracks within the APC in Niger State could create an opening for the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, who is also said to be quietly positioning himself for the 2027 race.

Although Malagi has not publicly declared his intention to contest, party insiders say he remains a strong contender, especially amid rising dissatisfaction within Bago’s camp.

A source close to Malagi confirmed that the minister has been strategically positioning himself, securing federal appointments and economic opportunities for his loyalists and allies.

One such appointment is that of Haliru Zakari Jikantoro, the former APC state chairman, who was recently named a member of the newly created North Central Development Commission. Sources say the slot, originally earmarked for Senator Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger North), was ceded to Malagi after he lobbied for Jikantoro.

Jikantoro had resigned shortly after Governor Bago was sworn in, citing personal reasons. However, sources told Weekend Trust that his resignation was triggered by long standing friction between him and the governor dating back to the party primaries. Jikantoro has since declared his loyalty to the minister.

Similarly, the former state secretary of the APC, Ibrahim Khalil, who resigned just a week after Jikantoro, has been appointed Director of Special Duties at the NTA – another recommendation reportedly made by Malagi. Khalil has been seen at several events alongside the minister, particularly in Niger State.

“The minister is operating silently but effectively. If Bago’s camp faces prolonged internal opposition, Malagi could emerge as a viable alternative, especially given his federal leverage and Abuja connections,” one of the sources said.

A chieftain of the APC in the state and close associate of the minister, Tongzum Barde, said he cannot confirm whether or not the minister is contesting, adding that only time will tell. 

While Governor Bago is working to consolidate power, the unresolved disputes over local government consensus arrangements may prove to be the biggest test of his grip on the APC ahead of 2027.

Reports by Hamisu Kabir Matazu (Maiduguri), Peter Moses (Lagos),  Bassey Willie (Yenagoa) &  Ado Abubakar Musa (Jos) Abubakar Akote, Minna