Consensus is Great But Gives Room for Mediocre, at Variance With Asiwaju Political Spirit
By Bamidele Atoyebi
The political landscape of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently defined by a meticulous transition through its internal election cycles. From the ward and local government congresses to the state level, the party has maintained a steady rhythm as it prepares for the upcoming National Convention. This progression is marked by a strategic emphasis on internal cohesion, ensuring that the party’s machinery remains intact as it faces the broader electoral challenges of the nation.
A defining feature of this cycle has been the heavy reliance on consensus candidates, particularly the decision to return many first-term incumbents to their positions. This approach is not merely a matter of convenience; it is a calculated effort to avoid the rancour, internal conflict, and division that often characterise competitive primaries. By presenting a unified front, the party seeks to bypass the traditional friction of political contests in favour of a smoother, more predictable path to the general elections.
However, while the consensus model offers immediate stability, it raises significant questions about the long-term health of the party’s leadership. There is a growing concern that this “return ticket” strategy may inadvertently provide a shield for mediocrity and a lack of tangible performance. When the threat of competition is removed, the incentive for high-level service can diminish, potentially leaving constituents with leaders who have failed to deliver on their original mandates.
The impact of this lack of performance is most visible in the rural heartlands and local government areas where development has stalled. Recent field assessments conducted to evaluate the state of various communities have uncovered a sobering reality of neglect. Despite years of political representation, over 3,000 communities continue to struggle with the absence of basic infrastructure and essential services.
Most of these communities’ primary health care is hanging by a thread, they lack necessary equipment to operate or treat a patience. These hospitals lack ambulance to tackle emergency situation.
The infrastructure gap is particularly yawning in the energy sector, where many villages remain in total darkness. Some communities have never experienced electricity, while others suffer from a complete collapse of power infrastructure, with fallen poles left unattended for years. In areas where power is available, it is often limited to a meager one hour per day, rendering it insufficient for any meaningful economic activity or personal use.
Beyond electricity, the lack of potable water remains a critical crisis for thousands of citizens. The failure to provide clean water is a fundamental breakdown in the social contract between the representatives and the represented. These basic amenities are not luxuries; they are the baseline requirements for dignity and health, yet they remain out of reach for many who have consistently voted for their current leaders.
Local government chairmen have largely abandoned their mandates, leaving grassroots infrastructure and healthcare in total shambles. This failure, driven by fund mismanagement and a lack of local presence, has created a massive disconnect between leadership and the led. Consequently, communities remain economically stifled and vulnerable, suffering from a deep breach of public trust.
This stagnation is often attributed to a shift in focus among representatives in the State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and the Senate. Rather than attracting measurable development to their constituencies, some officials appear preoccupied with personal interests. There is a growing perception that these positions are being used to secure lucrative jobs for family members and friends in institutions like the CBN and other high postings, rather than serving public good.
Such a culture of entitlement stands at variance to the core values of the party’s top leadership. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is widely regarded as a passionate and progressive leader who prioritizes development and excellence. He has a reputation for seeking out “value-carriers” individuals who possess the ideas and drive necessary to transform society and bringing them into the fold of governance.
To grant automatic return tickets to those who have added no value to their constituents is at variance with Asiwaju’s political ideology. A true progressive spirit demands that leadership be earned through results and a commitment to the people’s welfare. When the party protects non-performers, it risks diluting its brand and alienating the very voters who expect the APC to be a vehicle for positive change.
For the APC to remain a truly “Progressive Party,” it must adopt a policy of zero tolerance for failure. Consensus should be a reward for those who have shown “work” and added value to their communities. By showing the way out to those who sit idle, the party can ensure that its representatives are not just holders of titles, but drivers of the development that the country so desperately needs. The Yorubas do say: Tí ojú bá ńṣe ipin a máa ńyọ hàán ni. (If the eyes are rheumy, the rheum is removed and shown to them [the eyes].)
Bamidele Atoyebi is the Convener of BAT Ideological Group, National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and a publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting
