EDO SOUTH 2027: PARTY DECISION AND THE TINUBU EXAMPLE
It has become fashionable for influential party leaders to intimidate ordinary party members with the slogan of “Party Supremacy,” often in a manner that contradicts the true spirit and meaning of the principle itself.
This is not new. The same script was played against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2022 when he declared in Abeokuta that, considering his sacrifices and contributions to the formation and growth of the APC, it was his turn to become the party’s presidential candidate. Tinubu was there from the very beginning and had made enormous sacrifices that helped many others attain positions of power within government.
Predictably, all hell broke loose. He was vilified, blackmailed, and fiercely attacked in the media — not by opposition figures, but by members of his own party. The then National Chairman of the APC, Abdullahi Adamu, led the charge
against him, publicly declaring that Tinubu was “on his own” and acting against the party. In the end, the party leadership moved to adopt Ahmad Lawan as the APC’s so-called “consensus candidate.”
However, the actions of those party leaders — who claimed to be acting in the interest of “the party” — did not sit well with genuine democrats within the APC. Among those who openly opposed the move was former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. Standing with him in that resistance was the Edo State chapter of the APC. Their question was simple and profound: how could it be described as the decision of the party when no primary election had been conducted? And ultimately, who is the party if not its members?
Tinubu, for his part, remained resolute. He insisted on exercising his constitutional and democratic right to contest the primary in accordance with the Electoral Act and the rules of the APC.
Throughout the entire controversy, then President Muhammadu Buhari maintained a studied silence. He communicated largely through body language, leaving room for multiple interpretations. With the Aso Rock cabal dominating the political atmosphere at the time, and with the Buhari administration implementing controversial naira and fuel policies during an election season, many concluded that Tinubu’s emergence was hardly the administration’s priority.
Yet, in fairness to Buhari, he did not attempt to stop Tinubu from contesting the primary. He neither intimidated party leaders nor used state power to prevent Tinubu from participating in the race, despite the fact that Tinubu was clearly not the preferred “consensus candidate” of the party establishment. Perhaps this reflected some recognition of Tinubu’s historic role in Buhari’s own political journey. After all, without Tinubu’s support and strategic contributions, Buhari may neither have secured the APC ticket nor emerged President.
Today, a somewhat similar scenario appears to be unfolding in Edo State regarding the APC nomination for the Edo South Senatorial ticket.
There is a growing perception that the party hierarchy may already have settled on a preferred aspirant. The State Chairman, while speaking to the press some time ago, remarked that the aspirant being considered was “not a pastor.” Interestingly, among the major aspirants in the race, only Osagie Ize-Iyamu bears that title.
Like Tinubu during the presidential contest, Ize-Iyamu has argued that he remains one of the most experienced, qualified, and widely accepted aspirants in the race. Also like Tinubu, he is a foundation member of the APC who has made considerable sacrifices for the party and for the political advancement of others. Indeed, many observers maintain that had Ize-Iyamu not stepped aside during the APC governorship contest, Monday Okpebholo might never have emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
Governor Okpebholo’s disposition toward Ize-Iyamu’s ambition appears, in some respects, similar to Buhari’s posture during the 2022 APC presidential primary — marked largely by debatable body language. Publicly, it is difficult to say with certainty whether he supports or opposes the aspiration. What differentiates the present situation, however, is the widespread speculation that intense pressure has been mounted on Ize-Iyamu to abandon his ambition in favour of another aspirant.
Yet, just as Tinubu declared before the APC presidential primary that he would neither retreat nor surrender, Ize-Iyamu has reportedly remained firm and unyielding in his resolve.
The political atmosphere is increasingly tense. While some insist that Ize-Iyamu should submit to the wishes of the party leadership, others argue that he should emulate Tinubu — who defied enormous pressure, contested the primary, and ultimately emerged victorious to become President.
In the final analysis, the question remains: should personal conviction and democratic competition give way to political pressure disguised as party supremacy? The answer may emerge in a matter of days.
- Nosa Omorodion
