By Steve Otaloro
There is an old military proverb that says, “Winning a battle does not necessarily mean winning the war.” History is replete with examples of armies that celebrated too early, only to discover that the ultimate contest still lay ahead. Politics is no different. Electoral contests demand not only victory in internal party processes but, more importantly, unity of purpose before the general election.
The events surrounding the recently concluded All Progressives Congress (APC) legislative primaries in Ondo State provide an opportunity for sober reflection rather than endless recrimination.
The party conducted its senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly primaries in May 2026 as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections. However, before the official declaration of some results by the designated electoral officials, names purported to have emerged began circulating in various quarters. The ensuing controversy prompted the National Working Committee (NWC) to transfer the exercise to the party’s national headquarters in Abuja for a comprehensive review in line with the APC Constitution, Electoral Act, party guidelines and reports submitted by the Primary Election Appeal Committees.
Following that review, the National Working Committee approved a substantially revised list of candidates. Several names that had initially been associated with victory did not make the final list, while new candidates eventually emerged and were forwarded to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the APC’s authentic flag bearers for the 2027 elections. According to the party, the review was based on petitions received, recounts where necessary, examination of nomination documents and compliance with its guidelines.
Without question, the delay in releasing the final outcome imposed enormous psychological strain on virtually every aspirant. Political contests are emotionally demanding, and prolonged uncertainty only deepens anxiety. In the vacuum created by delayed official communication, rumours flourished. Speculation replaced facts. Whisper campaigns became louder than official statements.
Some aspirants believed victory was already theirs and naturally began preparing for the next stage of the political contest. Others remained apprehensive, uncertain whether the process had truly ended. The atmosphere became fertile ground for allegations of hidden agendas and insinuations that unseen hands were influencing the outcome.
The party leadership consistently maintained that no sinister motive existed. Rather, it argued that adequate time was required to painstakingly examine petitions, verify documentation, review reports and ensure that the final list complied with the Electoral Act, INEC regulations and internal party guidelines before transmission to the electoral commission.
Whether every aspirant agrees with those explanations is another matter entirely.
Indeed, many members accepted the final decision in the spirit of party discipline, reaffirming their belief that the collective interest of the APC must supersede individual ambitions. Others, however, felt genuinely aggrieved. Some questioned the review process, while others argued that victories recorded in Ondo State ought not to have been altered by the national leadership in Abuja. Their grievances, protests and resorts to the media reflected sincere convictions rather than mere disappointment.
Every political party must expect such disagreements. Internal democracy inevitably produces winners and losers. What distinguishes a mature political organisation is not the absence of conflict but its capacity to manage disagreements without allowing them to destroy the larger objective.
Recognising the potential danger, Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa quickly convened a meeting of the Governor’s Advisory Council and other critical stakeholders to evaluate the situation and chart a path towards reconciliation. The APC also initiated efforts to engage aggrieved aspirants, encouraging dialogue instead of prolonged litigation or internal hostility, with the overriding objective of preserving party cohesion ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This approach deserves careful consideration. Politics should never become a permanent contest among members of the same family. Elections come and go, but political relationships endure far longer than any nomination.
Those who feel unfairly treated are entitled to express their grievances within lawful and constitutional channels. Equally, those who eventually secured the party’s tickets should exercise restraint. Magnanimity in victory remains one of the noblest virtues in politics. It is worth remembering that before the review, different names had been associated with victory. That reality should inspire humility rather than triumphalism.
Supporters, too, have responsibilities. Celebratory excesses, abusive language, mockery of opponents and needless provocations only deepen divisions that reconciliation efforts seek to heal. Every careless word spoken today may become an obstacle to tomorrow’s united campaign.
Ultimately, the APC’s real contest is not against itself.
The opposition parties, not fellow APC members remain the party’s principal competitors in the 2027 general election. Governor Aiyedatiwa has publicly committed himself to delivering a massive electoral victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Ondo State. Achieving such an ambitious objective requires the collective commitment of every stakeholder, regardless of the outcome of the primaries.
That is why the present moment calls for wisdom over emotion, reconciliation over resentment, and collective purpose over individual disappointment.
The primaries have ended. The candidates have emerged. The debates over the review may continue in political circles for some time, but history ultimately judges political parties not by how fiercely they fought among themselves, but by how effectively they united when it mattered most.
The APC has concluded one phase of its journey.
Now comes the greater assignment.
After all, we may have won the battle, but the war has not yet been won.
Steve Otaloro is a veteran media strategist, political communicator and Director of Media and Publicity of the APC in Ondo State. He is passionate about democratic governance, political communication and public policy. The views expressed herein are personal.
