The air in Akure, Ondo State’s capital, crackles with anticipation—not from the usual political noise, but from a rare moment of clarity. For decades, Nigeria’s political parties have treated elections like a family inheritance, passing the baton to familiar faces regardless of competence. But now, a bold faction within the All Progressives Congress (APC) is drawing a line in the sand. Elders of the party in Ondo have publicly demanded that the national leadership prioritize electability over loyalty when selecting candidates for the 2027 general elections. The message is unmistakable: it’s time to stop recycling politicians and start fielding winners.
This isn’t just another political squabble. It’s a potential earthquake in Nigeria’s electoral landscape, where the APC has long wielded power in Ondo State but faces growing skepticism over its ability to produce viable leaders. The elders’ call comes at a critical juncture, as Nigeria braces for a high-stakes election cycle that could redefine its political future. Their plea isn’t just about Ondo—it’s a test case for whether Nigeria’s democracy can finally break free from the shackles of mediocrity.
Why Ondo State Matters in Nigeria’s Political Chessboard
Ondo State isn’t just another battleground in Nigeria’s endless political chess game. It’s a microcosm of the country’s broader struggles with governance, accountability, and the perpetual cycle of weak leadership. Since its creation in 1976, Ondo has oscillated between progress and stagnation, often mirroring the national mood swings of Nigeria’s democracy. The state’s strategic location in the southwest, its economic potential, and its cultural influence make it a bellwether for the APC’s fortunes—and for Nigeria’s political stability.
The APC’s dominance in Ondo has been both a blessing and a curse. While the party has delivered some infrastructure projects and policy initiatives, its inability to groom electable candidates has left many voters disillusioned. The 2023 elections were a stark reminder: even in a state where the APC was expected to coast to victory, thin margins and voter apathy nearly handed the governorship to the opposition. The elders’ demand for change isn’t just about winning—it’s about proving that the party can govern effectively when it finally gets the chance.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Nigeria’s 2027 elections will be a referendum on the APC’s legacy, and Ondo State is ground zero for that reckoning. If the party fails to heed the elders’ warning, it risks repeating the mistakes of the past: fielding candidates who can’t win elections, alienating voters, and ceding ground to rivals like the Labour Party or the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The message from Ondo is clear: the APC must either evolve or risk irrelevance.
The Electability Crisis: Nigeria’s Political Achilles’ Heel
Nigeria’s political parties have a habit of treating elections like a popularity contest rather than a meritocracy. Candidates are often selected based on loyalty to party leaders, financial muscle, or ethnic and religious balancing—not their ability to govern. This approach has produced a generation of politicians who excel at campaigning but fail at governance. The result? A country where election victories are celebrated, but governance is a constant disappointment.
The Ondo APC elders aren’t mincing words. Their call for electable candidates is a direct challenge to this broken system. Electability, in this context, means more than just name recognition. It means candidates who can articulate a vision, connect with voters, and deliver tangible results. It means rejecting the old guard of recycled politicians who’ve had multiple chances to prove themselves—and failed.
This isn’t just an APC problem. Across Nigeria, political parties are grappling with the same dilemma. The Labour Party’s rise in recent years, for example, was fueled by voters’ hunger for fresh faces and new ideas. Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign, though ultimately unsuccessful, demonstrated that Nigerians are hungry for change. The APC’s elders in Ondo are tapping into that same sentiment, demanding that the party adapt or risk being left behind.
The irony isn’t lost on observers. The APC, which rode to power in 2015 on the back of promises to rid Nigeria of corruption and inept leadership, now finds itself accused of the same sins it once campaigned against. The elders’ demand is a reminder that power doesn’t automatically confer legitimacy. It must be earned—and that starts with fielding candidates who can actually win elections.
Can the APC Break Free from Its Old Ways?
The APC’s response to the Ondo elders’ demand will reveal whether the party is capable of reform—or if it’s destined to repeat the mistakes of the past. Party leaders have two choices: double down on the status quo, risking further erosion of public trust, or embrace the elders’ call for change. The latter would require a seismic shift in how the party selects candidates, moving away from patronage and toward meritocracy.
There are signs that some within the APC are listening. The party’s national leadership has, in recent months, signaled a willingness to open up its primaries to younger, more dynamic candidates. The Ondo elders’ intervention could accelerate that process, forcing the party to confront its own contradictions. But reform won’t come easily. The APC’s old guard, entrenched in power and resistant to change, will push back against any attempt to disrupt their grip on the party’s machinery.
For the APC to succeed, it must do more than just pay lip service to the elders’ demands. It must demonstrate a commitment to transparency in its candidate selection process, giving voters a real choice in 2027. That means fielding candidates who can articulate a clear vision for Ondo State’s future—not just those who can recite party slogans or rely on ethnic and religious blocs for votes.
The party’s ability to break free from its old ways will determine whether it remains a dominant force in Nigerian politics or becomes just another cautionary tale. The elders in Ondo have thrown down the gauntlet. The question is whether the APC will pick it up.
The Broader Implications for Nigeria’s Democracy
Ondo State’s political drama isn’t just about one party or one election cycle. It’s a microcosm of Nigeria’s broader struggle to build a functional democracy. The country’s political parties have long treated elections as a zero-sum game, where the goal isn’t to govern well but to win at all costs. This approach has produced a system where governance is an afterthought, and voters are treated as pawns in a larger game of power and patronage.
The APC elders’ call for electable candidates is a small but significant step toward changing that narrative. If the party heeds their advice, it could set a precedent for other states and parties to follow. Electability isn’t just about winning elections—it’s about restoring faith in Nigeria’s democracy. It’s about proving that the country’s political parties can evolve, adapt, and ultimately serve the people they claim to represent.But the road ahead is fraught with challenges. Nigeria’s political landscape is littered with broken promises and unfulfilled expectations. The APC’s ability to reform will be tested not just in Ondo State, but across the country. Voters are watching closely, and their patience is wearing thin. The 2027 elections will be a litmus test for whether Nigeria’s democracy can finally break free from the shackles of mediocrity—or if it will continue to be held hostage by a system that prioritizes power over progress.
What’s Next for Ondo State and the APC?
The coming months will be critical for Ondo State and the APC. Party leaders must decide whether to embrace the elders’ call for change or double down on the status quo. If they choose the latter, they risk alienating voters and handing the state to the opposition in 2027. If they choose the former, they could set a new standard for political leadership in Nigeria.
For voters, the message is clear: demand better. The APC’s elders have already done their part by sounding the alarm. Now it’s up to the party’s leadership to prove that they’re listening. And it’s up to voters to hold them accountable. The 2027 elections are still two years away, but the groundwork for that contest is being laid today. Ondo State is ground zero for that reckoning—and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
- Reject recycled politicians: Voters must demand candidates who bring fresh ideas and a track record of results, not recycled faces from the past.
- Prioritize governance over power: Political parties must focus on fielding candidates who can govern, not just those who can win elections.
- Hold leaders accountable: The APC’s response to the elders’ demand will reveal whether the party is capable of reform—or if it’s destined to repeat the mistakes of the past.
Nigeria’s democracy is at a crossroads. The APC’s elders in Ondo have thrown down a challenge that the party can’t ignore. The question is whether the APC will rise to the occasion—or if it will let another opportunity for change slip away. One thing is certain: the voters of Ondo State—and Nigeria—won’t settle for less.
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