The Merit Newspaper Editorial
The decision by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to appoint Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Director-General of his 2027 governorship campaign has attracted considerable political attention across Nigeria. Beyond the symbolism of the appointment, however, lies a deeper message about leadership, political credibility, electoral management, and the importance of competence in democratic processes.
For many political observers, the choice of Obanikoro did not come as a surprise.
In a political season marked by intense competition, allegations of manipulation, and controversies surrounding party primaries in several states, Obanikoro distinguished himself through what many party stakeholders described as one of the most transparent, peaceful, and professionally managed governorship primary elections in the country.
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His stewardship as Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee in Kwara State remains one of the strongest examples of internal party democracy witnessed during the current electoral cycle.
The Kwara governorship primary was never expected to be an easy exercise. The contest featured multiple aspirants, competing interests, and significant political expectations. As tensions rose and the process encountered challenges, many feared that the exercise could degenerate into the type of crisis that has characterized primary elections in several parts of the country.
Yet, under Obanikoro’s supervision, the process took a different path.
Rather than allowing disagreements to escalate into conflict, the committee embraced consultation, dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and consensus-building. The ability to manage competing interests without compromising the integrity of the exercise demonstrated exceptional political maturity and administrative competence.
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Most importantly, the outcome was widely accepted because the process itself inspired confidence.
At a time when many primary election committees have faced accusations of favoritism and political interference, Obanikoro earned rare recognition for maintaining neutrality throughout the exercise. His conduct projected fairness, discipline, and respect for democratic principles.
These qualities matter.
Political campaigns are not merely about mobilizing voters; they are about building trust, managing diverse interests, coordinating stakeholders, resolving conflicts, and maintaining party cohesion. The same leadership qualities that ensured the success of the Kwara APC primary are the qualities required to manage a major governorship campaign in a politically strategic state such as Lagos.
It is therefore understandable why Dr. Hamzat would entrust such responsibility to a man whose recent political assignment earned widespread commendation.
The appointment reflects a deliberate preference for competence over sentiment and performance over political convenience.
Campaign Director-Generals occupy one of the most important positions in modern electoral politics. They serve as the strategic engine room of campaigns, coordinating political structures, supervising grassroots mobilization, managing stakeholder relationships, crafting messaging strategies, and ensuring that campaign objectives are effectively executed.
Success in such a role requires experience, discipline, organizational skill, and credibility.
Obanikoro possesses all four.
His political career spans decades of public service, including his tenure as a former senator, former minister, former Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, and a respected political strategist within the APC. His experience at both national and international levels provides him with a broad understanding of governance, political organization, and electoral management.
However, beyond titles and offices held, it is his recent performance in Kwara State that appears to have reinforced his credentials.
In politics, recent achievements often speak louder than historical records.
The Kwara APC primary became a practical demonstration of Obanikoro’s capacity to manage high-stakes political processes without bias. The exercise showed that fairness and political effectiveness are not mutually exclusive. It proved that leadership can be firm without being authoritarian and inclusive without being weak.
These are attributes every successful campaign requires.
For Dr. Hamzat, whose governorship ambition will require extensive coalition-building across Lagos State’s diverse political, social, and economic constituencies, the appointment sends a reassuring message to party members and supporters that the campaign intends to prioritize professionalism, inclusiveness, and strategic coordination.
It is also a reminder that electoral success often begins long before election day.
Campaigns are won through planning, organization, stakeholder management, and public confidence. The selection of individuals responsible for directing such campaigns can significantly influence both the tone and effectiveness of the political project.
By appointing Senator Musiliu Obanikoro as Director-General, Dr. Hamzat appears to be signaling that competence, experience, and proven performance remain valuable political assets.
As preparations for the 2027 governorship election gather momentum, Lagos politics will undoubtedly witness intense competition and robust debate. Yet regardless of political affiliations, few would dispute that effective leadership remains essential to the success of any democratic enterprise.
The appointment of Obanikoro therefore represents more than a routine political announcement. It is recognition of a public servant whose recent handling of one of Nigeria’s most credible party primary elections demonstrated the qualities of fairness, neutrality, strategic thinking, and political maturity.
If the Kwara experience is any indication, Dr. Hamzat may have chosen not only a campaign director but also one of the most capable political organizers within the APC today.
And in a democratic environment where trust has become increasingly scarce, that may prove to be one of the most important decisions of the 2027 political season.
