Politicians Must Avoid Surrounding Themselves With Aides Who Can’t Win Their Polling Unit, By Ifeanyi Okali

In Nigerian politics, one of the most costly mistakes any politician can make is surrounding themselves with aides and associates who lack grassroots influence, individuals who cannot even secure victory in their own polling units during elections. This unfortunate trend has become increasingly common, often weakening the political base of many officeholders and aspirants alike.

Politics is not sustained by noise; it thrives on structure, strategy, and results. Unfortunately, many politicians today are encircled by individuals whose only relevance exists on social media. They are loud online, yet lack any real electoral weight within their local communities. These individuals may dominate digital spaces with flattery and propaganda, but when it comes to mobilizing votes or delivering at the grassroots, they contribute nothing tangible.

A wise politician must understand that the true measure of political strength lies in the people who can command trust and loyalty at the local level. Every election is won or lost at the polling units, not on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Real political capital is built among the people — market women, youth groups, traditional leaders, and voters in the neighborhoods who determine electoral outcomes.

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Surrounding yourself with aides who cannot win their own polling units is like building a house on sand — it may stand for a while, but it will surely crumble when tested. True political soldiers are those who can deliver results where it matters most, not those who merely seek validation through online applause.

Therefore, politicians must begin to re-evaluate their inner circles. It is no longer enough to have followers who can trend your name online; you need people who can defend your record, mobilize genuine support, and translate influence into votes.

The future of effective political leadership in Nigeria depends on this — a shift from social media noise to grassroots engagement, from empty visibility to measurable impact.

To be continued……

Ifeanyi Okali
Media Executive & Political Analyst
[email protected]
11/10/2025