Political Electability

Gueye (not real name) my Senegalese friend earlier this year asked me what I consider the most important asset a political candidate must possess. He implied that this primary determinant must be among the following factors that will ensure victory at the polls: popularity, strong political movement, an astute public relations team, potent campaign strategy, international backing, intergrity, financial war-chest, philantrophy or incumbency.

The aforementioned are critical to a candidate's victory at the polls and a candidate should posses majority of the items on Gueye's list. Suffice it to say that no political candidate should consider vying for public office without sufficient war-chest; history is replete with the stories of candidates whose financial treasure and philantrophic nature has propelled to victory at the polls - Cheif M.K.O Abiola readily comes to mind.

The PDP controlled the government at the peak of its majesty did not necessarily have such predominance because her candidates were better, but by the power of incumbency. This was all that was needed and with that, Aremu Obasanjo single-handlely anointed Yar'adua president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The same holds true for the APC in Lagos state whose candidates have continually won state level elections due to the perpetual enigma of incumbency. Similarly, nobody can underestimate the power of a strong political movement, say like that which Buhari controls at the core-North or his self-acclamied integrity. These were moral steeds upon which he rode to victory at the 2015 and 2019 polls. Striving to be the President of the world's most populous black nation, even with his ever potent footsoldiers and integrity, he lost the 2003, 2007 and 2011 presidential elections. However, when these factors were married with an apt public relation, fantastic campaign structure and the backing of international powers, it was only a matter of time before General Muhammad Buhari became the 15th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Therefore, Gueye's listed factors cannot be overlooked, however, none of these is a primary determinant of electoral victory for a political candidate. History and recent developments have shown that the primary factor needed to secure victory at the polls is political electability.

What do I mean by Political Electability?

Political Electability means a candidate is electable not only because he/she has fulfilled constitutional and legal requirements but such a candidate provides solutions to the present need of the people, while capturing their desired future. I will buttress this by considering the following case studies.

In 2011, Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan won the election not because he was the richest of the candidates, neither because of incumbency and absolutely he had no strong political base. The election was won because the people saw a leader that captured their aspiration to go from 'grass to grace', showcasing that despite the decay and menace of our political institution, it was possible for a shoeless Otuoke village pauper to become the number one citizen. Nigerians voted Jonathan because in him they saw a leader that could relate to their present state of penury; they could relate with his past and like him, despise the elite with impunity while standijg with the masses. This singular reason made GEJ President.

In 2015, Muhammadu Buhari became Presieent despite only speaking for thirty-three minute throughout his campaign across the thirty-six states and FCT. He defeated an incumbent President, who had everything a politician will desire going into an election, except that the people wanted a change. All the people felt they needed was to change the government in power and their near-future ambition was to re-brand and re-tell the story of Nigeria. Nigerians were tired of the government in power and wanted a leader with proven integrity, one who possesses the necessary prerequisite to defeat corruption, and Buhari happened to readily fit the bill hence, the throne became his. On another note, shall we consider the " O to ge" movement that ended the political dynasty of the Sarakis. Kwarans did not consider the influence of the senate President or his financial war-chest , they were simply fed-up and desirous of a change. Abdulraham Abdulrazaq just happened to be suitably situated on the wings so he won the election.

One might be tempted to assume that political electability is only applicable in Nigeria. Hence we shall also consider the most powerful nation in the world, one whose democracy, we patterned ours after.

In 2016, Hillary Clinton was the candidate to beat. She enjoyed maximum support from Wall Street, the incumbent - Barack Obama. Even Bernie Sanders, a very strong contestant in the Democratic party stepped down and it appeared the coast was all cleared for Madam Secretary to become Madam President - the very first in the history of the United States, except that Americans saw Hillary Clinton as a continuity of Obama's government. America was fast becoming second fiddle to China, and her opinion becoming irrelevant in the comity of nations. The people could see clearly the writing on the wall, they knew China was strategically taking their number one position. As if that wasn't enough, Russia was knocking heavily on the number two position. The 2016 elections offered the prefect opportunity to remedy the situation and save the Nation of sliding further downwards. They needed a leader that would stand up to Putin and face China squarely. The ultimate desire (turned mantra) was to make America great again. It may not really matter who the candidate of the Republican party was, whether it was a man that didn't even believe in himslef, so much so that he never prepared a victory speech, or a once bankrupt billionaire or a bullish CEO with no political precedent - all that mattered was his ability to capture their present need and understood their collective desired future as a nation.

This is the ultimate assets a political candidate must possess when vying for elective positions.

Thank you.

May God bless you and may He continually bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Adewumi Adedeji
08082790452
Writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
Dejijupiter@gmail.com
#DPresidentDiary.

Must one be a politician before contributing his quota towards the development of her nation?