Senator Iyabo Obasanjo has expressed strong support for the use of consensus in selecting political party candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections, stating that the method often produces more electable candidates and helps political parties avoid internal crises that may arise from contentious primaries.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Obasanjo dismissed concerns that the consensus method could sideline the wishes of party members. According to her, consensus does not mean imposing candidates on party members but rather involves careful consideration of the popularity and acceptability of aspirants among party faithful and the general electorate.
She explained that political parties are primarily focused on winning elections and would therefore avoid presenting candidates who lack grassroots support or public acceptance. She emphasized that the consensus process is usually guided by consultations, opinion polling, and internal assessments to determine which aspirant has the best chance of winning an election.
“I do believe that consensus can bring the right candidates because consensus does not mean that leadership ignores the will of the people; consensus means that they look at what the people are saying. No party wants to lose, so the party will not choose people who open them for a loss; does that make sense?” she said during the interview.
Obasanjo noted that while the consensus approach may not be perfect, it has proven effective in many political situations where parties needed to present a united front ahead of major elections. She said the method often helps to reduce the cost of conducting primaries, minimize internal disputes, and prevent post-primary litigations that sometimes weaken parties before the main election.
She further stated that the process of selecting candidates through consensus usually involves negotiations among aspirants, party leaders, and stakeholders. According to her, in many cases, aspirants who step down for a consensus candidate are compensated politically through future appointments, party positions, or other opportunities within the political structure.
The former senator stressed that consensus should not be confused with imposition, adding that imposition occurs when party leaders ignore the wishes of members and force a candidate on the party. She maintained that true consensus reflects the collective agreement of party stakeholders after wide consultations.
Obasanjo also pointed out that Nigeria’s political history has shown several instances where consensus candidates went on to win elections because the party was united and able to focus on campaigning rather than resolving internal conflicts.
As political parties begin early permutations and strategic planning ahead of the 2027 general elections, the debate over consensus candidacy, direct primaries, and indirect primaries is expected to remain a major issue within party structures. Some party members across different political parties have argued that consensus candidacy may discourage internal democracy, while others believe it is a practical approach to winning elections in a complex political environment like Nigeria.
Obasanjo, however, insisted that what matters most to political parties is victory at the polls, and any method that increases the chances of winning while maintaining party unity would continue to be adopted.
She concluded by reiterating that consensus, when properly managed, reflects the will of the people and the strategic interests of the party, adding that political parties must always balance internal democracy with the practical realities of electoral politics.
