2027: Ultimately, the party comes first, and its supremacy must be upheld in unity | By Agbaakin Niyi Adeagbo

The first time I heard the phrase “the party is supreme” was in 2010 after I was not selected to fly the flag of the ACN to represent Iseyin/Itesiwaju Constituency in the House of Assembly election. As painful as that experience was, I later came to understand the true meaning of party supremacy. Looking back today, I can confidently say that my patience, understanding, loyalty, and unwavering commitment to the party have been rewarding.

Now that the primaries have been concluded and our candidates have emerged, the principle of party supremacy has once again come into focus. The real work begins now.

This is not the time for celebration—it is too early for that. As Asiwaju wisely said, “Politics is sweet only when you are winning.” Our ultimate objective is victory at the general election, and achieving that goal will require unity, strategy, sacrifice, and the collective effort of every party member.

The pain of losing a general election after months of hard work can be heartbreaking and discouraging. May we never labor in vain. That is why this moment demands our total commitment, unwavering focus, and determination.

The disappointment of losing a primary election is also painful, although different in nature. Primary elections are ultimately determined by the leadership of the party, whether at the government level or within the party structure itself. They are internal party affairs. Most of us who have remained faithful to the party understand this reality because many have either benefited from the process at one time or have supported those who did.

In the build-up to the 2018 local government elections, in which I actively participated, there were many aspirants, and the atmosphere was as tense as every primary season. Eventually, many of us who are today considered stakeholders were selected by the leadership under the administration of His Excellency Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the Lafia Hotel, while others were understandably disappointed. That experience reminds us that there will always be another opportunity, another privilege, and another season to serve.

While I appeal to every party faithful for understanding and unity, I warmly congratulate all our candidates at both the national and state levels. I extend special congratulations to our governorship candidate, Senator Sarafadeen Alli; our deputy governor; and to our Oyo North Senatorial District candidate, our Amazon and our mother, Mrs. Hannah Ogunesan. Your emergence is a testament to your dedication, resilience, and commitment to our progressive family. We stand firmly behind you and are committed to your success.

To every party member, this is a call to action. We must rise together and work strategically to deliver victory. Let us mobilize from house to house, ward to ward, local government to local government, and across every community in Oyo State. Let us engage our people, share our vision, and present our plans with sincerity, confidence, and conviction. Our message must be clear, consistent, and compelling.

We carry a great responsibility. The people are listening, and they deserve to hear from us. This is the time to take our message to the marketplace of ideas—to promote, defend, and project our candidates with confidence. The race has entered its decisive stage, and we must conduct ourselves like true champions determined to bring home victory.

To those who may feel aggrieved, disappointed, or sidelined, I sincerely appeal for your understanding and acceptance of the principle of party supremacy. I also encourage you not to lose hope. Not every contest ends in victory, but every sacrifice contributes to the greater success of our party. Let us set aside our differences and work together for the common good. Opportunities will come again, but today, our collective responsibility is to ensure the success of our party.

Together, we can achieve this.

Together, we will win.

Let us move forward with strength, purpose, and unity—and by the grace of God, we shall bring the trophy home.

God bless you all.
God bless Oyo State.
God bless Oyo North Senatorial District.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

By Agbaakin Niyi Adeagbo,
Former Chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government.