By Rayyanu Bala

Politics is not just about winning elections. To be honest politics is about building relationships, managing interests, and keeping everyone invested in a common cause. This is what Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu is doing at the moment. And that is what will continue to distinguish him from fair-weather politicians
as well as many of his contemporaries.
His recent meeting with APC aspirants from the Southern Zone which was held on Friday was a deliberate move to reassure party faithful that every aspirant matters, whether they emerged victorious at the primaries or not. By bringing everyone together Wadada has demonstrated that politics does not end after party primaries. Rather the primaries will mark the beginning of the real work.
The remarks by senatorial aspirant Mohammed Ari (DIG, rtd.) captured the mood perfectly. He appreciated the meeting as a timely initiative that made all aspirants feel like valued members of one political family. His appeal for measures to reduce the financial burden on aspirants also highlighted the sacrifices many made during the primary process. Such honest observations are only possible when leaders create an atmosphere of inclusion.
What makes this even more remarkable is that this is not an isolated event. Before meeting with aspirants from the Southern Zone on Friday, Wadada had already held a similar engagement with aspirants from the Western Zone. The next stop is the Northern Zone.
Wadada instead of allowing disappointed aspirants to drift away after the primaries, he is deliberately bringing them back into the fold. He understands that elections are not won by candidates alone but by a united political structure where everyone feels respected and carries a sense of ownership.
That is what separates strategic politicians from ordinary but fair-weather politicians.
While others may celebrate victory and move on, Wadada is busy consolidating, healing wounds, and strengthening the party from within. He knows that every aspirant has supporters, influence, and networks that remain valuable for the bigger battle ahead.
This approach is another demonstration that Wadada’s politics is several steps ahead of others. He is investing in unity long before the campaigns reach their peak, ensuring that no one feels abandoned after the primaries.
Whether one agrees with his politics or not, this style deserves recognition. It reflects maturity, foresight, and an understanding that successful politics is built on inclusion rather than exclusion.
As the APC prepares for the forthcoming elections, these consultative meetings may well prove to be one of the smartest political strategies seen in recent times. By bringing together aspirants from the Western, Southern, and soon the Northern zones is but a calculated political strategy.
Indeed, Wadada’s approach is politics at its finest.