The Director of Research of pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Dr. Akin Fapounda, has said that money and political influence could determine the outcome of Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

Fapounda made the assertion while speaking during a live television programme, where he argued that the financial and political strength of parties may play a decisive role in the polls.

According to him, governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) could wield significant influence in the election due to their access to state resources and political structures.

He claimed that if the governors devoted about four months of allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), it could be used to mobilise voters ahead of the election.

Fapounda further alleged that voter inducement may rise significantly in the next presidential race, suggesting that amounts offered to voters could increase far beyond the N5,000 often reported during elections.

“You can’t beat that. Any money that comes, even if it’s from the devil, people will take it,” he said, adding that the political party with greater financial capacity and influence could ultimately emerge victorious.

He described elections in the country as increasingly competitive and high-stakes, stressing that political actors often approach them with a “do-or-die” mindset.

Meanwhile, Fapounda disclosed that Afenifere had submitted proposals to the National Assembly of Nigeria advocating restructuring of the country, including the creation of a Western Nigeria bloc.

He maintained that restructuring should not be viewed as a path to anarchy but as a voluntary arrangement that would allow constituent entities to decide their future through a referendum.

According to him, the Yoruba region currently consists of six states, though the proposal under consideration may extend to eight states, potentially including parts of Kogi and Kwara where Yoruba people also reside.

He added that despite differences in dialects among various communities such as Ijebu, Osogbo, Oyo and Ibadan, they remain part of the broader Yoruba identity and should be free to determine their political structure.