The 2027 general election is still a year away, but the debate on how political parties should select their candidates has already begun to gain traction. Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, has thrown her weight behind consensus as a viable option. She believes that this approach will yield credible and electable leaders who can win the hearts of Nigerians.
According to Senator Obasanjo, consensus will help to eliminate the rancour and acrimony often associated with party primaries. This, she notes, will enable parties to present united fronts to the electorate, thereby increasing their chances of winning elections. The senator's endorsement of consensus has sparked a heated debate among party stalwarts, with some hailing it as a breath of fresh air while others dismiss it as a recipe for disaster.
Senator Obasanjo's call for consensus in selecting party candidates is a welcome development, but it remains to be seen whether the major parties will take her advice seriously. The use of consensus has been tried before, but it has often been marred by backroom deals and compromises that undermine the integrity of the process. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must demonstrate that they are committed to producing leaders who are truly representative of the people's interests. If they fail to do so, Nigerians may end up with more of the same business-as-usual politics that have characterised our electoral landscape for far too long. The APC and PDP must show that they are willing to put the interests of Nigerians above their own interests.
