By John Daniel
One of us cannot be greater or wiser than all of us. That principle remains the foundation of any enduring political movement in Nigeria and the world at large
No individual can override the collective will of the APC as a party. Our strength has always come from unity, broad consultation, and a genuine respect for diverse interests across all blocs and tendencies.
These are not mere ideals; they are the pillars that have sustained past victories and ensured cohesion in challenging moments. Whenever decisions are perceived as imposed rather than collectively agreed upon, they erode trust, breed resentment, and weaken the very structure that holds the party together.
History has repeatedly shown that imposition, no matter how well-intentioned, often leads to internal fractures and avoidable setbacks.
Governor Abdullahi Sule has every right to support a preferred candidate for the 2027 gubernatorial election, and that right is not in dispute. As a sitting governor and a key stakeholder, his opinion carries weight and deserves respect.
However, it must also be acknowledged that the party is broader than any single office holder. Other leaders, elders, and critical stakeholders across the state equally have their own preferences, shaped by years of political engagement, grassroots connection, and personal conviction.
These voices are not inferior; they are essential components of the party’s democratic fabric. No single preference, regardless of influence or position, can or should substitute for the collective decision of the party.
Importantly, All Progressives Congress has emphasized that a consensus candidate can only be validly adopted when all aspirants willingly agree. This underscores the principle that consensus is not a tool for exclusion or imposition, but a voluntary process built on mutual understanding and collective acceptance.
Where such agreement does not exist, the party’s democratic processes must take precedence.
The governor’s choice therefore remains a personal preference and should not be projected as the unanimous will of the people of Nasarawa State or the party at large. Attempting to frame it as such risks creating unnecessary tension and misrepresenting the true mood within the party.
The strength of the party lies in its ability to accommodate differing views while ultimately converging through a fair and credible process.The integrity of the party depends on strict adherence to due process.
Established democratic mechanisms such as consultations, primaries, and consensus-building processes exist to ensure that every stakeholder has a voice and that the eventual candidate emerges with legitimacy.
Allowing members to freely decide through these mechanisms not only strengthens internal democracy but also enhances the party’s credibility before the electorate.
In the end, victory is not built on individual preference but on collective ownership. When party members feel heard, respected, and carried along, they are more committed to the outcome and more willing to work for success.
That is the only path that guarantees legitimacy, fairness, and enduring unity, values that must guide every step as the 2027 elections approach.
The Nasarawa people will always have the last say !
Daniel writes from Toto LGAC, Nasarawa State.