By Prince Adedapo David Oluwadamilare
Politics is often described as a game of numbers, loyalty, sacrifice and patience. It is not a marketplace where one arrives today and demands the harvest of crops planted and nurtured by others over many years. Against this backdrop, the resignation letter of former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) raises more questions than it provides answers.
While every citizen reserves the constitutional right to associate with or dissociate from any political party, the tone and content of Senator Obasanjo’s letter suggest a sense of entitlement that many loyal party faithful find difficult to comprehend.
The APC in Ogun State did not begin with Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, nor will it end with her departure. Long before her arrival, thousands of committed members traversed villages, towns, and cities, investing their time, resources, and political capital to build a formidable party structure. Elections were won, governments were formed, and victories were recorded through the collective sacrifices of men and women who labored tirelessly without demanding special recognition or preferential treatment.
It is therefore curious that someone who joined an already established political family would consider herself deserving of extraordinary concessions simply because she aspired to become the party’s governorship candidate.
Politics is not an inheritance. Neither is it an entitlement!!
A party ticket, particularly one as significant as a governorship nomination, is not awarded based on pedigree, name recognition, or historical associations. It is the product of internal democratic processes, strategic calculations, and the collective interests of the party. Once a decision is reached, true party loyalists either align with the outcome or respectfully chart a different course without attempting to diminish the institution that gave them a platform.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the resignation letter is the reference to the “three requests” allegedly presented to the party’s candidate through her supporters. The natural question is: what exactly were those requests?
Were they conditions for support? Were they political appointments? Were they demands for influence? Were they guarantees of future benefits?
Whatever they may have been, the very notion that support for a party’s candidate should be contingent upon negotiated concessions contradicts the spirit of party loyalty and collective responsibility. Genuine commitment to a political cause should not be transactional.
The APC is bigger than any individual!!!
Many of the individuals Senator Obasanjo describes as her followers were already members of the APC before her arrival. Some may have been attracted by her gubernatorial ambition. Others may have seen an opportunity for political relevance. Such dynamics are neither unusual nor unique. Political followership is often fluid, driven by circumstances rather than permanent allegiance.
To suggest that the party owes its strength to one individual’s presence is to underestimate the resilience and depth of its grassroots structure.
The claim of marginalization also deserves scrutiny. Political parties are not designed to revolve around a single aspirant. Every election cycle produces winners and losers. Yet countless aspirants across Nigeria have accepted outcomes that did not favor them and continued to contribute meaningfully to party development. That is the essence of political maturity.
The APC has weathered far greater storms than the resignation of one member, regardless of status or family name. Political institutions endure because they are built on collective ideals rather than individual ambitions.
An old proverb says that a river does not stop flowing because a single canoe leaves its waters. Likewise, the APC remains focused on its objectives, strengthened by the commitment of its numerous loyal members who continue to place party interest above personal aspiration.
Senator Iyabo Obasanjo’s decision to leave the APC is ultimately hers to make, and it should be respected. However, it would be inaccurate to portray her exit as a devastating blow to the party. If anything, it serves as a reminder that political organizations thrive when loyalty is rooted in conviction rather than expectation.
The APC in Ogun State remains standing, remains united, and remains focused on the future.
As the dust settles, one reality remains clear: political parties are sustained not by those who arrive seeking immediate rewards, but by those who stay committed through both victory and disappointment.
History has consistently shown that institutions outlive ambitions, and the APC is no exception.
Prince Adedapo David Oluwadamilare is the
INLG State Coordinator, YAYI Grassroots Alliance.
