The 2027 presidential race may have several candidates on the ballot, but the real contest could ultimately be determined by the strength of political structures across the country, according to Lere Olayinka, spokesperson to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
Speaking on Arise News, Olayinka argued that having a large number of presidential candidates does not necessarily translate to a competitive election, suggesting that some contestants may primarily be seeking to establish their political presence rather than win the presidency.
He used the 2023 performance of African Action Congress (AAC) candidate Omoyele Sowore, who received about 14,600 votes, to question how some smaller parties could realistically challenge for the presidency in 2027.
Olayinka also raised concerns about the grassroots reach of the party associated with former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, arguing that presidential ambition must be backed by political structures capable of mobilising voters across the federation.
According to him, the absence of governorship candidates in a significant number of states could expose the organisational limitations of some parties ahead of the election.
He noted that the presidential election would involve thousands of polling units and argued that parties seeking victory must have enough representatives on the ground to mobilise voters and protect their interests during the electoral process.
Olayinka therefore maintained that political parties cannot rely solely on media visibility, social media campaigns or public rallies to win the presidency.
He stressed that grassroots organisation, polling-unit mobilisation and nationwide political structures would remain crucial factors in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
“It is not about making noise,” Olayinka said, emphasising the importance of building a political machine capable of translating campaign popularity into votes.
