In politics, not all support is genuine — and some endorsements are nothing more than carefully disguised sabotage.
There is a man in my village known as Onwasaku. A familiar name in local politics. Every election season, politicians troop to his house seeking his backing because of one obvious advantage — his large family and the votes that come with it. Because in the option A4, when they queu behind you, it is victory all the way. But the reverse is the case.
On paper, his endorsement looks powerful. In reality, it is worthless.
Why? Because while Onwasaku speaks, his family votes — and they consistently vote against his political direction.
So, the same votes candidates believe they have secured are already working against them because they will stand against him.
That is not support. That is political deception.
Over time, a lesson emerged from this pattern: “Do not give me Onwasaku support.” In simple terms — do not offer me an endorsement that guarantees my defeat while pretending to help me win. Unfortunately, this exact deception is now playing out on a much larger political stage.
Today, we see individuals and groups loudly declaring support for leaders and candidates outside their political parties, while still deeply rooted in opposing structures. They make public endorsements, issue statements, and attempt to create the impression of unity — but in reality, they are sending conflicting signals to the very voters they claim to influence.
Let us be honest: this is not strategy — it is confusion, and confusion does not win elections.
At the grassroots, politics is simple and practical. The average voter does not operate on complex political calculations. They vote based on party identity, symbols, and clear direction. You cannot stand before a rural voter, ask them to vote for the broom which is APC, and in the same breath expect them to remain loyal to another party.
It is politically dishonest — and practically impossible.
We have seen this mistake before, and we paid for it.
In 2015, while many of us operated within APGA, we made the strategic error of campaigning for our candidates while simultaneously asking voters to support Goodluck Ebele Jonathan of the PDP.
What happened?
The voters made a clear choice. Faced with the ballot, they followed the umbrella. And in doing so, APGA candidates were swept aside.
That is the reality of divided loyalty — it benefits no one except your opponent.
So when people today claim they are supporting President Tinubu and its leadership from outside their political base while refusing to align structurally and openly, what they are offering is nothing but modern-day Onwasaku support — loud in promise, empty in results.
Let us stop deceiving ourselves.
Politics is not built on sentiment or convenience. It is built on structure, discipline, and clarity of purpose.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) remains the most formidable and organized political platform in Abia State today. Its strength lies in unity, clear messaging, and a committed base that understands direction and follows it.
We are not confused, and we are not divided.
And that is why we are positioned not just to compete — but to win.
My message is simple, direct, and unapologetic:
If you truly support a candidate, stand within that political structure and work for its success. Anything outside of that is political double-dealing.
Do not come with divided loyalty.
Do not come with conflicting messages.
Do not come with Onwasaku support.
Because in politics, false support is more dangerous than open opposition.
At least with opposition, you know where you stand.
But with deceptive support, defeat comes disguised as victory — until it is too late.
As for us, we are focused. We are aligned. And we are ready.
Let every political actor build within their party and test their strength at the polls.
At the end of the day, elections are not won by who speaks the loudest — but by who commands clear, united, and disciplined votes.
And in that contest, there is no middle ground.
You either stand firmly — or you fall completely.
Engr. Chibuzo Patrick Esihe
Founder
Think Global Impact UK.
