By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Community advocate and former Kosofe Local Government supervisor, Ganiyu Olamiji Oyebanjo (popularly known as GOCO), has congratulated Mayor Dele Oshinowo on his emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer for the Kosofe Federal Constituency, while offering a broader analysis of the dynamics that shaped the primary election outcome.
Oyebanjo, however, placed significant emphasis on what he described as the decisive role of grassroots political structure over digital influence in determining electoral success within party primaries.
“Primaries Are Not Won on Social Media”
In his remarks, Oyebanjo cautioned against overestimating online political engagement, arguing that digital visibility does not translate into delegate or ward-level support.
“Primary elections are not won on social media platforms,” he said. “While social media can amplify a voice or create transient buzz, it does not win a primary election. Winning a primary election is a boots-on-the-ground, structural operation.”
He described party primaries as a process driven by internal organisation, loyalty networks, and ward-based mobilisation rather than online popularity.
Praise for Grassroots Political Structure
Oyebanjo specifically highlighted the role of Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area Chairman, Princess Samiat Abolanle Bada, describing her as a key pillar in the political structure that supported Oshinowo’s emergence.
He credited her influence within the party’s grassroots network as central to sustaining mobilisation efforts during the primaries.
According to him, effective grassroots leadership is defined by three key factors: control of internal party structures, operational consistency under political pressure, and strategic alignment with broader campaign objectives.
From Campaign Ambition to Electoral Outcome
Oyebanjo noted that successful primary campaigns are built on structured political engineering rather than sentiment or publicity, adding that alliances at the local government level often determine the direction of delegate votes.
He argued that the consolidation of grassroots support ultimately transforms political ambition into an enforceable electoral mandate.
“Social media might fill a room, but a systemic, tactical, and calculative ground game is what secures the primary,” he said. “When the ground game is precise, the outcome becomes a matter of calculation, not chance.”
The remarks come in the aftermath of the APC primary in Kosofe Federal Constituency, where Mayor Dele Oshinowo emerged as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disclaimer
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