In the wake of recent political developments, Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, Deputy National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and 2023 senatorial candidate, has made an incisive observation on the limitations of party-switching as a strategy for electoral success in Nigeria. Gbandi’s perspective is that merely joining the Labour Party (LP), or any popular party for that matter, doesn’t assure a win in any election where people’s votes are truly counted.
Reflecting on recent outcomes, Gbandi pointed to Edo State’s post-election landscape. In his analysis, he underscored that while the ADC did not have the “Obidient” factor associated with Peter Obi, they had a candidate in Derek Izedonmwen who represented integrity and issue-based politics. Izedonmwen’s candidacy faced significant hurdles but proved that there is still room for principle-centered and issue-focused campaigning in Edo State and across Nigeria. The ADC’s ability to outperform the LP in key polling units during this election showed that the party remains a force to be reckoned with, and that victory isn’t guaranteed merely by affiliation with a high-profile party like the LP.
In a chat with our media house, Gbandi stated that his stance is further validated by the recent council elections in Abia State, where the Labour Party, despite its growing influence, suffered a significant defeat. The Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) claimed victory in 15 out of 17 local government areas (LGAs), while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) won in the remaining two LGAs, Ugwunagbo and Osisioma Ngwa. This outcome serves as evidence supporting Gbandi’s point: voters can and do make independent decisions when allowed, choosing candidates and parties based on tangible values, not merely party branding.
The implication of Gbandi’s analysis is clear: integrity and issue-based politics can resonate powerfully with the electorate, and party-switching without a foundation in these principles is unlikely to deliver electoral success. For politicians and parties across Nigeria, the message is that gaining the people’s mandate requires a deeper commitment to addressing their real needs and concerns rather than banking on the popularity of any single party platform.
AH Media
