The endorsement of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s reelection bid by All Progressives Congress stakeholders in Kogi East has been framed as a reassuring display of party cohesion. In a political climate often marked by internal rivalry, unity can appear stabilizing. Yet beneath this public show of solidarity lies a more pressing democratic question Nigeria can no longer afford to ignore. Does early elite endorsement strengthen governance, or does it quietly narrow the space for democratic choice?
Political endorsements are not, by definition, undemocratic. In established democracies, they often clarify policy direction and reinforce party identity. The concern arises when such endorsements surface long before competitive internal processes have taken place. In those circumstances, political parties risk shifting from arenas of open contestation to mechanisms of predetermined consensus. The danger is subtle but consequential. Voters may be presented with outcomes shaped behind closed doors rather than through transparent democratic engagement.
Kogi East occupies a politically significant position within the state. It is demographically dynamic, historically assertive, and electorally decisive. When influential stakeholders align so early around a single candidate, the signal to alternative voices is clear. Aspirants, reform minded actors, and younger party members may find the pathway to leadership increasingly restricted. In this context, unity can begin to resemble exclusion, and loyalty can outweigh merit.
Democratic maturity is not measured by the absence of disagreement, but by the ability to manage disagreement through credible institutions. Internal party democracy thrives on competitive primaries, open debate, and performance based evaluation. When endorsements precede these processes, primaries risk becoming ceremonial exercises rather than genuine opportunities for choice.
This development also raises broader questions about governance. A confident administration should welcome scrutiny rather than shield itself from it. The strongest case for reelection is not elite backing, but demonstrable outcomes. Infrastructure development, quality of public services, economic inclusion, and security remain the benchmarks by which leadership legitimacy is earned. Endorsements may project confidence, but they cannot replace measurable performance.
For the APC, the challenge is strategic as much as it is democratic. Party unity should not come at the expense of openness. A party secure in its leadership should also be secure enough to allow ideas and ambitions to compete. Open processes do not weaken authority. They reinforce legitimacy.
For voters in Kogi East, the episode is a reminder that democracy demands participation, not passivity. Endorsements signal preference, not destiny. The electorate retains the final authority, provided it insists on exercising it.
Nigeria’s democratic consolidation will be judged not by how swiftly political elites align, but by how consistently institutions protect choice. In Kogi East, party ranks may have closed, but the democratic conversation must remain open.
– Inah Boniface Ocholi writes from Ayah – Igalamela/Odolu LGA, Kogi state.
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