By Ondo South Political Great Minds Forum
Politics has a way of turning old roads into new highways whenever an election draws near. Suddenly, familiar communities become campaign destinations, stakeholders become essential contacts, and every ward becomes a must-visit. But Ondo South should ask a simple question: what happened before the campaign season arrived?
A tour of the 66 wards may make headlines, generate handshakes and produce impressive photographs. There is nothing wrong with reaching out to the people.
Indeed, democracy thrives on engagement but political engagement should not begin and end with the appearance of an election. The deeper measure of political connection is what happens when there is no ballot to collect and no campaign microphone to chase.
The people of Ondo South should therefore look beyond the noise of political season. Who has consistently called? Who has visited without an election around the corner? Who has listened to community leaders, traditional institutions, young people, women, professionals and ordinary citizens? Who has maintained relationships when there was no immediate political reward attached?
There is another political lesson worth remembering: primary elections are also a test of character and relationships. They reveal who remembers the people who stood with them when the road was rough. After political victories, appreciation should not become a forgotten language. Leadership is not an inheritance; public office is a responsibility entrusted through a political and democratic process.
The person who regards an elective position as personal property may eventually forget that every mandate belongs, in the first instance, to the people. Political office is a trust, not a throne. The seat in Abuja may have an occupant, but the mandate has an owner — the people.
This is why Ondo South must be careful not to confuse movement with connection. Moving from ward to ward is visible; maintaining genuine relationships is often invisible. A candidate may cover the entire political map in a few weeks, but years of accessibility cannot be manufactured overnight.
The old wisdom remains relevant: when the rain comes, everybody sees the roof, but only those who built it know where the foundation is weak. Political relationships also have foundations. Some are built during campaigns; others are built through years of consultation, friendship, service, presence and mutual respect.
As 2027 approaches, Ondo South deserves an informed conversation rather than political noise. Let the people examine records, relationships, accessibility, ideas and conduct. Let them ask who understands the peculiarities of the six local government areas and who has demonstrated a willingness to remain connected beyond election season.
The Senate is not a trophy cabinet. Representation is not a retirement reward. It is a continuing conversation between the people and the person entrusted with speaking for them.
So, as political tours begin to gather momentum, Ondo South Political Great Minds Forum urges the people to look beyond the number of wards visited. Count the moments of accessibility. Count the consultations. Count the relationships maintained when there was nothing immediate to gain.
Because when the campaign posters disappear and the microphones go quiet, one question will remain: who truly stayed connected to the people?