Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Director of Research at the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation Afenifere, has said power and financial influence could determine who emerges victorious in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.
During a live television programme, Fapohunda argued that the 31 governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could rely on financial strength to influence the outcome of the poll.
He suggested that the governors could set aside funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) for several months to drive their political strategy during the election. 
He also claimed the ruling party could increase the amount allegedly offered to voters during elections. According to him, voters might receive between N20,000 and N50,000, instead of the commonly reported N5,000, as politicians push to secure victory.
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His words:
“We now have 31 Governors who are in one basket; all they need to do is to devote the four-month FAAC allocation to buy whatever is ready to be bought.
“You can’t beat that. Any money that comes, even if it’s from the devil, people will take it.
“If you vote, don’t collect N5,000, collect N20,000, N50,000; that’s what is going to happen. So, whosoever has might, win.
“Election is war, everything is fair when you are fighting a war. If APC has the tool to defeat ADC and PDP, they are in a way front.
It’s a war, in a do-or-die situation, who wants to die? APC wants to live, and others must die. Until we change the rules and bring the temperature down to a civilised society, everything is fair.”
Fapohunda also revealed that Afenifere has forwarded proposals to the National Assembly seeking restructuring and the establishment of a Western Nigeria bloc.
He stated that the group does not view restructuring as a path to disorder. According to him, the proposal allows every region to decide freely whether to participate, while a referendum will guide the process and ensure fairness.
In his words, “Restructuring is not a recipe for anarchy. In Yoruba land, we have six states, but it might be eight; we are looking at Kogi and Kwara States because they are Yoruba people too. It’s going to be voluntary; it won’t be by force.
“In Yoruba land, we have 26 entities, Ijebu is Ijebu, Osogbo is Osogbo, Oyo is Oyo, Ibadan is Ibadan, among others. They have different dialects, but they are Yoruba people, and they are free to be on their own.”
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