As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of Nigeria’s crucial 2027 general election, a new voter sentiment survey has revealed a growing wave of public dissatisfaction across the country, with nearly 80 percent of Nigerians reportedly believing that the nation is heading in the wrong direction.
The findings, contained in the first edition of the Nigeria 2027 Voter Sentiment Tracker released by research and geopolitical intelligence firm SBM Intelligence, paint a concerning picture of the national mood as citizens grapple with economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, inflation, and governance challenges.
The report, which provides an early glimpse into voter attitudes ahead of the next electoral cycle, suggests that frustration with the current state of affairs cuts across regional, ethnic, and political divides. The survey found that almost eight out of every ten respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the country's trajectory, highlighting what analysts describe as a widespread loss of confidence in the ability of existing structures to adequately address the nation's pressing challenges.
According to SBM Intelligence, the survey was conducted during the third week of May 2026 and involved 829 eligible voters drawn from Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Participants were interviewed across eight states and the Federal Capital Territory through face-to-face engagements carried out in markets, schools, hotels, viewing centres, and other public locations.
The objective of the exercise was to gauge public sentiment ahead of the 2027 elections by assessing voter registration trends, turnout intentions, issue priorities, confidence in the electoral process, candidate favourability ratings, media consumption habits, and concerns surrounding the increasing role of artificial intelligence and misinformation in political communication.
One of the most striking findings of the survey was the overwhelming perception that Nigeria is currently moving in the wrong direction.
The dissatisfaction appeared strongest in the South-East, where an astonishing 92.2 percent of respondents expressed negative views about the country's direction. This was the highest level of dissatisfaction recorded among all geopolitical zones surveyed.
The South-South followed closely, with 89 percent of respondents sharing similar concerns, while the North-Central recorded a dissatisfaction level of 90.1 percent. In the North-West, 88.2 percent of respondents indicated that they believed Nigeria was moving in the wrong direction.
Although the South-West and North-East recorded comparatively lower figures, majorities in both regions still expressed concern. Approximately 60.3 percent of respondents in the South-West and 63.5 percent in the North-East said they were dissatisfied with the nation's current trajectory.
The findings indicate that public frustration is not confined to any particular region but has become a national phenomenon that transcends traditional political alignments and voting patterns.
Analysts say the results reflect the cumulative impact of years of economic pressures, rising living costs, insecurity, unemployment, and public concerns regarding governance outcomes.
Perhaps even more significant than the dissatisfaction itself is the fact that insecurity emerged as the dominant concern among respondents nationwide.
According to the survey, 45 percent of participants identified insecurity and terrorism as the most pressing issues facing the country. Another 34 percent cited a combination of insecurity and economic hardship as their primary concern, while 13 percent focused mainly on economic challenges.
The prominence of security concerns reflects the continued impact of kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, communal clashes, and violent criminal activities affecting several parts of Nigeria.
In recent months, reports of abductions involving commuters, farmers, students, traditional rulers, business owners, and ordinary citizens have dominated public discourse, creating heightened anxiety among communities across the country.
DOYA News gathered that respondents in the North-West, South-East, and South-West expressed particularly strong concerns about insecurity, indicating that security challenges remain a major factor likely to influence voter decisions ahead of the 2027 election.
While the survey does not predict electoral outcomes, it offers important insights into the issues that may shape voter behavior in the coming months and years.
Another key aspect of the report focused on public perceptions of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The findings revealed significant dissatisfaction with the government's performance across several policy areas, including inflation control, job creation, electricity supply, taxation, and national security.
According to the report, President Tinubu recorded a national net favourability score of negative 58.5, making him the least popular among the leading political figures assessed in the survey.
Respondents were also asked to evaluate the administration's performance using a four-point rating scale.
The South-East recorded the lowest average rating, scoring the administration at just 1.14 points. The North-West provided the highest rating at 2.02 points.
However, even the highest score remained below the midpoint benchmark of 2.5, indicating that respondents generally viewed government performance negatively across all regions.
The report noted that dissatisfaction with governance outcomes remains widespread despite differences in political affiliations and regional loyalties.
Many respondents reportedly expressed frustration over rising costs of living, inflationary pressures, unemployment, and the perceived slow pace of improvements in daily living conditions.
Beyond measuring current dissatisfaction, the survey also examined voter enthusiasm and turnout intentions ahead of the 2027 election.
Interestingly, regions recording the highest levels of dissatisfaction also showed some of the strongest intentions to participate in the electoral process.
The South-East emerged as the region with the highest projected voter turnout intention, with 87.4 percent of respondents indicating a willingness to vote.
The South-South followed with 82.9 percent, while the North-West recorded 82.4 percent.
Political analysts believe these figures could have significant implications for the eventual outcome of the election, particularly if voter mobilization efforts remain strong.
High turnout in regions characterized by strong dissatisfaction may create substantial pressure on political parties and candidates seeking electoral support.
DOYA News understands that these findings have already attracted attention among political strategists, party leaders, and election observers who view voter enthusiasm as a critical factor in determining future electoral outcomes.
The report also highlighted the evolving nature of political communication in Nigeria, particularly the growing influence of digital platforms and social media.
According to the survey, social media has become the primary source of political information and news for many Nigerians, especially younger voters.
The trend was most pronounced in the South-East, where social media usage was reported to be particularly high.
However, alongside the benefits of digital information access, respondents also expressed growing concerns about the potential misuse of artificial intelligence technologies during election campaigns.
Many participants indicated fears regarding AI-generated misinformation, manipulated videos, deepfake content, and the spread of false narratives capable of influencing public opinion.
Experts warn that such technologies could significantly complicate the information environment ahead of the 2027 elections if adequate safeguards are not implemented.
As political activities intensify, observers believe the next election could become one of the most fiercely contested in Nigeria's democratic history.
Current political developments suggest that the race may once again evolve into a highly competitive multi-party contest similar to the 2023 presidential election.
Although political alliances and party structures could still change before the election, many analysts currently anticipate a major contest involving President Bola Tinubu of the APC, Peter Obi of the NDC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC, each commanding varying levels of support across different regions of the country.
The SBM Intelligence survey ultimately presents a snapshot of a nation facing significant challenges while preparing for a critical democratic exercise.
It highlights widespread dissatisfaction, deep concerns about insecurity and economic hardship, growing voter engagement, and an increasingly complex information environment shaped by technology and social media.
As Nigeria moves closer to 2027, the findings suggest that voters will be looking beyond campaign promises and political rhetoric, focusing instead on concrete solutions to the issues that affect their daily lives.
For policymakers, political parties, and candidates, the message emerging from the survey is clear: millions of Nigerians are demanding improved security, better economic opportunities, more effective governance, and tangible progress.
Whether the political class can respond to those expectations may ultimately determine not only the outcome of the 2027 election but also the future direction of Africa’s most populous nation.