Former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, has identified five critical forces which he described as “election gods” that politicians must satisfy to stand a strong chance of winning elections in Nigeria.
Fayemi named the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the judiciary, non-state security actors, and financial resources as the key factors candidates must reckon with during elections.
He made the disclosure in a new book, How To Win Elections in Nigeria, authored by media entrepreneur and Best of Nollywood Awards convener, Seun Oloketuyi.
The former governor, who led Ekiti State in two non-consecutive terms, said electoral victory requires more than voter support or a strong campaign structure. According to him, candidates must understand the political terrain of their state and cultivate relationships with party leaders, elected officials, political appointees, and other power brokers.
Recalling his own path into politics, Fayemi said he emerged as a bold alternative at a time when Ekiti politics had turned violent, following his 2003 election loss and the killing of aspirant Dr. Ayo Daramola. Despite attempts by opponents to brand him an outsider, he said his conviction, external networks, grassroots mobilisation, and an eight-point welfarist agenda helped him win.
He stressed that performance in office is not enough — politicians must actively control their narrative and stay in constant communication with different audiences, from the intellectual elite to social media users and grassroots communities.
Fayemi also advised politicians to build working relationships with smaller political parties to strengthen their presence at polling units, and to maintain ties with independent observer missions as a safeguard in the event of post-election disputes.
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