One of the strategies a political party may use to win an election is the selection of their candidate's running mate. If the running mate is chosen wisely, it can give the party an edge over their competitors.
The governorship election in Lagos State is just around the corner, and it seems that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) might have an advantage over the opposition parties due to the weak running mates of the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The APC has reportedly been engaged in horse trading to ensure that it swings the contest in its favour.
Despite analysts' views that a deal involving PDP's Azeez Adeniran (alias Jandor) and LP's Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (a.k.a. GRV) could dethrone the APC, both parties have refused to form a coalition. A source has reportedly told DAILY POST that the opposition's refusal to form a coalition may have handed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu another term due to individual ambition.
The LP and PDP's weak running mates have been a topic of concern for many. Deputy governorship candidates Abiodun Oyefusi and Funke Akindele are not politically strong and have not displayed the intellectual capability of the incumbent Femi Hazmat, a former commissioner.
Their separate interviews on Arise TV and Channels TV were viewed by some observers as uninspiring. While Oyefusi failed to articulate her party's manifesto, Akindele said she is confident of a win citing her "fans and followers."
On the other hand, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu won his first term election. Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo, recently declared that the governor "will win this election and win convincingly."
The emergence of Jandor and Rhodes-Vivour as candidates for the PDP and LP, respectively, has also raised concerns.
The alleged role of Chief Bode George, ex-PDP Deputy National Chairman, in the emergence of Rhodes-Vivour as the LP standard bearer has been questioned.
It has been said that Jandor and Rhodes-Vivour had the potential to defeat the APC, but their refusal to form a coalition and weak running mates may have cost them the election.
The upcoming governorship election in Lagos State may have been decided already due to the individual ambitions of the opposition parties' candidates and their weak running mates.
The APC seems to have an advantage, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu might win. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the opposition parties in Lagos State, but it is clear that they need to rethink their strategies if they hope to win.
Content created and supplied by: MildPen (via Opera News )
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