The elders say, “ọ̀nà kan ò wọ́ ọjà, àmọ́ gbogbo ọ̀nà ní àkókò rẹ̀” — there is more than one road to the market, but every road has its season. In Lagelu Local Government today, the political journey of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Federal aspirants from the 2023 elections has taken a notable turn. Having once aimed for the hilltop of federal representation, they are now declaring ambition for the Oyo State House of Assembly in 2027.
This shift is neither accidental nor cowardly; it is tactical. Yet it raises a question that echoes across wards, caucuses, and party houses: Is this recalibration driven by lack of mobilisation funds, the fear of Hon. Wasiu Lafisoye Akinmoyede (LAFI)—the APC federal incumbent and a master of grassroots strategy—or the daunting task of confronting Hon. Olajide Akintunde AKT, the incumbent PDP state assembly lawmaker and a calculative political juggernaut within their own party?
In politics, ambition must be elastic. “Ọgbọ́n ju agbára lọ” — wisdom surpasses raw strength. The federal contest of 2023 exposed the true cost of large-scale mobilisation. Federal politics demands wide networks, constant presence, and enormous resources. For many aspirants, the aftermath of that battle necessitated a sober reassessment. The state assembly, with its closer grassroots focus, appears a more manageable battlefield—one where personal touch can outweigh national noise.
Yet, the shadow of Hon. LAFI cannot be ignored. As the incumbent federal lawmaker under the APC banner, his political structure spans wards and communities, fortified by strategic positioning and consistent grassroots engagement. In Yoruba wisdom, “a kì í wọ́ ogun erin pẹ̀lú ìgbín” — one does not take a snail into a battle of elephants. For aspirants who once faced or closely observed federal contest dynamics, stepping away from that terrain may be less about fear and more about realism.
However, the state terrain is not an open field. Waiting at the gate is Hon. Olajide Akintunde AKT, the PDP incumbent lawmaker in Lagelu State Constituency. AKT represents a different kind of challenge: internal, structural, and deeply rooted. “Ogun ilé burú ju ogun òde lọ” — battles within the home are fiercer than those outside. Challenging a sitting lawmaker of the same party requires not just ambition but the delicate art of coalition-building, delegate management, and loyalty negotiation.
AKT’s political strength lies in calculation rather than noise. He is a she politician whose juggernaut runs on patience, data, and sustained party engagement. For aspirants, the question is not whether he can be challenged, but whether such a challenge can be survived politically—before, during, and after primaries.
Thus, the current wave of declarations reflects a layered calculation. Some aspirants see the state assembly as a stepping stone to political relevance. Others view it as a safer harbour after stormy federal waters. And some are simply repositioning early, knowing that “ẹni tí ó bá dé títí, á rí ibi jókòó” — whoever arrives early secures a seat.
Still, politics punishes indecision. Early declaration without structure is vanity; silence without strategy is surrender. The PDP in Lagelu must therefore read this moment carefully. The party’s strength lies not in internal cannibalisation but in disciplined competition that prepares it to face external threats—particularly from a well-positioned APC federal bloc.
In the final analysis, the question remains layered, not singular. It is not only about funds, nor solely about fear of Hon. LAFI, nor entirely about confronting Hon. AKT. It is about political survival, relevance, and timing. “Àkókò ni olùkọ́ni” — time is the greatest teacher.
As 2027 approaches, Lagelu PDP aspirants must decide whether this recalibration is a bold strategy or a quiet retreat. For in politics, as in life, “ẹni tí kò bá mọ ibi tí òun ń lọ, gbogbo ọ̀nà dà bí aṣiṣe” — whoever does not know where they are going will see every road as a mistake.
Ishola Ridwan (I.SHOW Graphics)
Lagelu Local Govt
Oyo State, Nigeria
