Governor argues online sentiment does not reflect real voting strength at polling units
Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would only lose the 2027 presidential election if voting were conducted on social media platforms rather than at polling units.
Speaking during a televised interview that began trending on Sunday, Sani said online narratives often exaggerate opposition strength and do not accurately represent the realities of grassroots political support.
“If the election is going to be conducted on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or social media, Asiwaju will lose,” Sani said. “But if it is people who will vote through the ballot at polling units, he is going to win 70% of the votes.”
The governor emphasized that elections in Nigeria are determined by voter turnout at polling units rather than online engagement, arguing that political success depends more on grassroots mobilisation and governance than digital popularity.
Sani’s remarks come amid growing political conversations ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly regarding the influence of social media on public opinion and political campaigns. Analysts have noted that while platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram shape narratives, they may not fully reflect voting behaviour across Nigeria’s diverse electorate.
The comments also echo similar positions previously expressed by the governor, where he cautioned politicians against relying on social media “noise,” stressing that elections are won through direct engagement with voters at the community level.
As political activities gradually build toward 2027, the debate over the role of social media versus grassroots mobilisation is expected to remain central to Nigeria’s evolving electoral landscape.