ABUJA — Former Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has identified five critical forces he described as “election gods” that politicians must satisfy to stand a strong chance of winning elections in Nigeria.

Fayemi identified the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, the judiciary, non-state security actors and financial resources as major factors that candidates must carefully navigate during the electoral process.

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The former governor made the disclosure in How To Win Elections in Nigeria, a book written by media entrepreneur and convener of the Best of Nollywood Awards, Seun Oloketuyi.

According to Fayemi, winning elections goes beyond securing popular support or running an elaborate campaign. He said politicians must understand the political dynamics of the areas where they are contesting and develop relationships with influential political actors, party leaders, elected officials and other stakeholders.

Reflecting on his own political journey, Fayemi said the political environment in Ekiti State had become increasingly violent and toxic when he entered active politics.

He recalled losing the 2003 governorship election and said the opposition faced the challenge of confronting a sitting administration that wielded considerable political influence.

Fayemi said his political strategy combined strong external networks, grassroots mobilisation, a clear policy agenda and an ability to present himself as a credible alternative to the incumbent administration.

According to him, candidates must also deliberately shape and control their public narrative rather than assume that their achievements will automatically speak for them.

“In my experience, you must own your narrative,” Fayemi said.

He stressed that politicians must continuously communicate with different segments of the electorate, including the intellectual elite, social media audiences and traditional grassroots communities.

“In politics, your work does not speak for you, no matter how well you have performed. You have to constantly communicate with your various audiences: the intellectual elite, social media spaces, and traditional grassroots publics,” he said.

Fayemi also highlighted the importance of maintaining relationships beyond a candidate’s immediate political party.

He said politicians should pay attention to smaller political parties, which he described as capable of becoming relevant during elections because of their potential influence at polling units and in post-election processes.

He advised candidates to work strategically with such parties and their agents, while also maintaining relationships with independent observers who could become important in the event of disputes arising from election results.

“Of course, you must also ‘own’ other political parties, the small ones mushrooming all over the place for their nuisance value, ‘adopt’ their party agents to assist your own main agents at the polling units. You must also maintain friendly, independent observer missions in the event of post-election controversy. These are non-negotiable,” Fayemi said.

The former governor’s five “election gods” therefore point to a broader view of electoral success, where candidates must combine voter mobilisation with institutional engagement, security considerations, legal preparedness, political alliances and adequate financial resources.

His comments also underline the importance of maintaining a strong presence before, during and after election day, particularly in Nigeria’s increasingly competitive political environment.