Ever wondered why some election candidates emerge victorious while others wind up defeated even having campaigned better? Experience has shown that the thin line between electoral success and failure is personality endorsement. Those who are up to date with the pace of global politics especially in recent times will agree with me that shrewd politicians have discovered a veritable too for winning elective positions. Notable among these politicians is the US President Barack Obama who through the endorsement of an established media personality, Oprah Winphrey made history as the first black man to occupy the White House. This major endorsement endeared Obama to the western media especially CNN and BBC. No doubt that back in Africa where Obama's root is, the media sang his songs of praise from rooftops. In Nigeria, the 2007 presidential election which brought to power late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua also had a feature of personality endorsement. Apart from the backing of the then incumbent President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, another obvious endorsement came from Professor Dora Akunyili who was then a globally celebrated director general of NAFDAC. With over one hundred and fifty awards of excellence from both international and local organizations, Akunyili's endorsement of Yar'Adua's candidature was a plus. Her proven transparency and accountability as the DG of NAFDAC coincided with the impeccable achievements of Yar'Adua as the Governor of Katsina state. Akunyili who was a popular personality in most Nigerian schools through her NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club won the support of most Nigerian youths for Yar'Adua. Personality endorsement is not alien to most states of the federation. For instance, the February gubernatorial elections in Anambra state produced a man who had an unbeatable personality endorsement as governor. The support of Mr. Peter Obi by Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu did not come as a surprise. What came as a surprise was Ojukwu's five-letter word during the governorship campaigns of APGA: "THIS IS MY LAST WISH". How can Anambra people refuse to grant the last wish of their warlord who single-handedly led the Bianfran war? Obi's victory at the polls proved that personality endorsement can actually work wonders. As the first step toward wining the support of the Igbo people for his 2011 presidential ambition, IBB through his South East campaign team sought for the endorsement of Chief Ojukwu. While pledging the support of the Igbo people, Chief Ojukwu renamed IBB as "OKECHUKWU". This suffices to say that IBB is among the few wise politicians in Nigeria who have discovered the wonders of personality endorsement. Note that such personality endorsement does not come by effortlessly. Political candidates seeking the approval of distinguished personalities must possess certain characteristics which include trust, truthfulness, accountability, reliability, prudence, tenacity and determination. Those who have these distinctive virtues do not find it difficult getting the support of accomplished icons. Also note that there is a great deal of difference between political "godfatherism" and political personality endorsement. Political godfathers finance the elections of their candidates and do everything possible to get their candidates into positions mindful that their contributions are like investments that will turn out fruit in future. The Ngige-Uba scenario in Anambra state can serve as a good example of the concept of "godfatherism". On the other hand, the credibility of the personality who endorses a candidate endears the candidate to the electorates. Whereas personality endorsement is clearly democratic, the reverse is the case with "godfatherism". The Obama-Winphrey scenario in America speaks for what endorsement stands for. It might interest you to know that personalities are mindful of indirect endorsement. This was the case at the "One Man, One Vote" Benin rally organized by the Edo state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole boycotted by some prominent personalities including Professor Wole Soyinka and former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu. According to Professor Soyinka, the decision to stay away from the rally was to avoid an indirect endorsement for General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida who was also invited by Comrade Oshiomhole. Though Comrade Oshiomhole later defended his decision on inviting IBB to the rally as a departure from the era of political exclusion, political analysts backed those who boycotted the rally saying it would have painted an ugly picture of indirect endorsement. As 2011 general elections draw near, political candidates have started scouting for eminent personalities for endorsements. Political permutations in Yobe state point at Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim as a good political personality for endorsement. Regarded as the godfather of Yobe state politics, Senator Ibrahim ruled Yobe for twelve years as governor. Similarly, political projections in Adamawa and Borno states indicate that the best endorsements will come from Professor Jibril Aminu and Governor Ali Modu Sheriff respectively. Some politicians in Borno state bidding for the endorsement of Governor Sheriff include "Yaron SAS" (Senator Ali Sheriff' Boy) beautifully printed in bold letters on their posters. Whatever the political projections are, I recommend to those interested in vying for elective positions in these forthcoming general elections to seek for the endorsement of renowned personalities whose records in life are clearly indelible by fermenting forces of life. Politicians should also make the wise choice of picking media icons for endorsements as President Obama did or possibly look into the entertainment industry for such support. Religious leaders and royal fathers can also serve as wonderful sources of endorsements. .
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