Sen. Sarafa Ali: Goodwill And Collective Effort Key To Winning Elections
Winning an election is not a one-man job, according to Sen. Sarafa Ali, who believes a candidate’s relationship with the people and the support built around them can make all the difference.
Sen. Sarafa Ali shares his perspective in Seun Oloketuyi’s forthcoming book, How to Win an Election in Nigeria, where he reflects on some of the realities of contesting elections in Nigeria.
He said the foundation should be goodwill, built through a genuine record of touching lives, integrity and a clear vision that people can believe in. But beyond personal popularity, Sen. Sarafa Ali believes candidates need to bring people together around their cause.
“No individual ever begins with enough standalone followership to win an election outrightly,” he said.
For him, electoral victory comes from gradually bringing different groups of supporters together until they become strong enough to make a difference at the polls.
He also stressed the importance of starting early, arguing that a candidate cannot wait until election season before trying to build public trust.
Sen. Sarafa Ali’s reflections highlight the importance of relationships, goodwill and collective support in the journey to electoral victory.
More of his thoughts on what it takes to navigate Nigeria’s political terrain and compete successfully for elective office are featured in Seun Oloketuyi’s How to Win an Election in Nigeria, scheduled for release on September 6.
