In a recent video shared on Facebook on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Primate Elijah Ayodele spoke about internal party politics in Nigeria, offering his perspective on the challenges of contesting primaries against incumbent governors.

In the video, Ayodele stated, “Anybody who contests primaries against a sitting governor is wasting his time; he will not win.” He explained that sitting governors often have significant advantages within their parties, including established political structures, influence, and access to support networks that can shape primary outcomes.

According to Ayodele, political incumbency provides a strong foundation that makes it difficult for challengers to succeed in party primaries. He noted that governors typically maintain close relationships with key stakeholders, party delegates, and local political actors who play decisive roles in internal elections.

Ayodele further emphasized that in many political environments, loyalty and alignment within party structures are critical factors that influence decision making during primaries. He suggested that aspirants who fail to build strong alliances or underestimate the influence of incumbency may struggle to gain traction.

The cleric added that internal party contests are often complex and require strategic planning, negotiation, and wide ranging support. He stressed that candidates must understand the political landscape and the weight of existing power dynamics before attempting to challenge established office holders.

Ayodele concluded by advising political actors to carefully assess their chances and approach party primaries with realistic expectations, noting that success in such contests often depends on structure, influence, and the ability to mobilize support within the party framework.

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