An Open Letter To The 16 Governors And Other APC Chieftains
By
Kole Ade-Odutola
Let me state at the outset that I am not among those who have mocked you. On the contrary, I am filled with admiration for your efforts and the formidable show of solidarity even if it did not yield the desired results.
However, my enduring position is that life provides far richer lessons from our setbacks than from our successes. So, the crucial question remains: what actionable lessons can be taken away from the massive, well-coordinated energy you all invested? I am sure the Chairman of the party worked behind the scenes without seeking to hug the lime light. Is that an important lesson too? Here are a few of my own reflections:
1. The Limitations of the Soapbox
The grand optics of large gatherings and mega-rallies seem to have little to no actual value at the ballot box. It appears these spectacles are often orchestrated more for media consumption and optical dominance than for the genuine purpose of winning over undecided minds. True persuasion happens quietly, away from the noise of the podium. If I had access to former Governor of Edo State, the great Adams, I just would like to know from him what his wonderful attempt at Yoruba added to the serious process of winning undecided voters. I just want to learn…
2. The Power of Decentralized Engagement
Imagine the alternative: what if, instead of converging in a single location, the 16 of you had fanned out across different local government councils? Deploying your high-profile influence at the grassroots level to directly reinforce what your candidate had accomplished prior to your arrival. Might this not have left a much deeper, more personal impact on the local constituents? Again, I may be wrong as an outsider to how politics at the local level is played without systematic research.
3. The Necessity of Data-Driven Reflection
Do you believe an honest exit poll would be beneficial? Understanding precisely why the voters made their choices is critical. Implementing such diagnostic tools to capture voter sentiment would provide invaluable data for each of you in your respective bids to win and retain support in your home states and the forthcoming elections in January. My take would be to work more on those who appear to reject your party and entertain those who have already decided to support you come rain, come shine.
4. Moving Beyond the Blame Game
This is not the season for pointing fingers, but rather a time to come together for serious soul-searching. The focus must shift toward genuinely understanding what the electorate wants/wanted and devising the most effective strategies to meet the people exactly at their points of need.
I am not ashamed if these few points come across as rudimentary, as the most basic principles are often the ones we forget first. I firmly believe a great deal of wisdom can be extracted from analyzing both the process and the end product of this campaign.
Regards,
Kole Odutola
KOLE ADE-ODUTOLA IS A YORUBA POET, PHOTOGRAPHER, AND ACADEMIC. HE TEACHES LANGUAGE AND CULTURES AT the University of Florida.
