BY SOLOMON OKPO
The recent endorsement parade by stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okobo Local Government Area is not surprising, it is predictable. What deserves scrutiny, however, is not the enthusiasm behind the endorsements, but the implications of such sweeping political unanimity so far ahead of the 2027 elections.
In one stroke, stakeholders threw their weight behind Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Umo Eno, Ekong Sampson, Martins Esin, and Bassey Pius Bassey, effectively closing the door on contestation before the race has even begun. This is less about democratic consolidation and more about political choreography.
Let’s be blunt: endorsements of this nature often masquerade as grassroots consensus but are, in reality, elite agreements. When party leaders, ward executives, and political actors gather in a controlled environment to “unanimously” adopt candidates, it raises a fundamental question—where is the space for dissent, debate, or alternative leadership?
Supporters argue that continuity guarantees development. That may be true in theory, but in practice, it can also entrench complacency. The argument that returning legislators like Hon. Bassey Pius Bassey will attract more projects due to ranking status is politically convenient, yet structurally weak. Legislative effectiveness should not be reduced to tenure length; competence, influence, and strategic positioning matter far more.
Equally telling is the early timing of this endorsement. With nearly two years before the elections, Okobo’s political establishment has signaled its preference for stability over competition. But democracy thrives on competition. When political outcomes appear predetermined, voter engagement weakens, and accountability suffers.
There is also a broader contradiction at play. The APC, both nationally and at the state level, has often criticized opposition parties for imposition politics. Yet, gatherings like this blur the line between endorsement and imposition. If candidates emerge through consensus without a transparent, competitive process, the party risks undermining its own democratic credentials.
To be fair, the leaders endorsed are not political lightweights. President Tinubu’s reform agenda, Governor Umo Eno’s development-focused governance, and the legislative contributions of Sampson and Esin have visible footprints. But performance should be tested at the ballot, not pre-approved in stakeholder meetings.
The optics of unity may be politically appealing, but unity without openness is fragile. Okobo and indeed Akwa Ibom politics must resist the temptation to trade democratic vibrancy for managed consensus.
If these leaders are as popular and effective as claimed, they should have nothing to fear from a transparent, competitive process. Endorsements should inspire campaigns, not replace them.
The real test of democracy in Okobo will not be how loudly stakeholders endorse candidates today, but whether voters are given a genuine choice tomorrow.
