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Love Does Not Win Elections
Ayisha Osori, writer, lawyer and advocate for social justice, ran for the People's Democratic Party's ticket to Nigeria's House of Representatives in 2015 and lost. This is her story.
"This book is a baton. Those contemplating politics in Nigeria would do well to pick it up" - Feyi Fawehinmi
"This book is a baton. Those contemplating politics in Nigeria would do well to pick it up" - Feyi Fawehinmi
272 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2017
32 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 10, 2018
Like a favourite meal, I tried to take my time and savour every morsel. But that proved pretty hard as I eventually devoured it and it was over all too soon. There was simply no chance of putting it down - too captivating. It is so sad to see that manipulation, hypocrisy, nepotism, corruption still run amok like siblings within politics in Nigeria. Despite it all, Ms. Osori manages to inject some wry albeit wit into the entire book.
A few takeaway gems from the book:
"I was tired but not traumatized. I had wanted the experience of contesting elections - a different kind of education - and I got it."
"In politics people get paid on earth, not in heaven. Even when you live by this creed, there are no guarantees."
"Do not assess your chances based on how much people claim your opponents are disliked or reviled: love is not a currency on the ballot box."
A few takeaway gems from the book:
"I was tired but not traumatized. I had wanted the experience of contesting elections - a different kind of education - and I got it."
"In politics people get paid on earth, not in heaven. Even when you live by this creed, there are no guarantees."
"Do not assess your chances based on how much people claim your opponents are disliked or reviled: love is not a currency on the ballot box."
October 9, 2018
Love Does Not Win Elections details Ayisha’s journey on her quest to win the primary election of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to become its flag bearer for the general elections into the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of the two legislative houses in Nigeria. Having lived in Abuja for 18 years, Ayisha chose to walk the talk by running for office herself. Read our full review here http://literaryeverything.com/2018/10...
August 17, 2018
LOVE DOES NOT WIN ELECTIONS is an important personal account of an aspirant on how to win elections in Nigeria; it is easy to read, humorous, and honest. Written in simple language, with the use of beautiful metaphors that creates relatable imageries which engages the reader. With this book the author places a floodlight in the murky waters of Nigerian politics, giving an insight into some key ingredients that are likely to increase one's chances of winning a primary election in Nigeria; things like money, godfatherism, nepotism, and extreme begging are some of the oils that lubricate the Nigerian democratic engine.
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August 11, 2019I flew through this book in a few hours and really enjoyed how it presented a first-person perspective on campaigning for office as a woman in Nigeria. I might use this book in teaching along with scholar articles on money and politics, clientelism, and women and politics. I learned of this book through the detailed discussion at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politi...
March 23, 2019
Necessary reading
A view of Nigerian primaries from the inside. Depressingly, it’s all about the money that is handed out, every step of the way. Nothing about real issues.
A view of Nigerian primaries from the inside. Depressingly, it’s all about the money that is handed out, every step of the way. Nothing about real issues.
August 26, 2022
I remember thinking before the primaries that if prayer could win elections then surely my chances were good. But prayers - whether for free or for millions of dollars - are no guarantee to winning elections in Nigeria. We were probably not praying to the right god.
In 2014, Ayisha Osori contested at the primaries level for a seat in the National Assembly on the platform of Nigeria’s ruling party – the People's Democratic Party but lost. Love Does Not Win Elections is her account of her experience and the corruption she witnessed while running.
I think this book is a valuable contribution to the cannon of literature to make sense of Nigeria's current political landscape especially in its discussion of the disenfranchisement of women within political structures and the historical nuggets that it offers. It is written to be a guide of sorts to anyone who wants to contest for elections with Osori giving a list of things she suggests doing at the end. However probably unintentionally, and through no fault of the author, it left me hopeless where it sought t0 inspire and that is probably just the natural product of writing an honest account of the quandary that is the Nigerian government.
For me the writing style was at times quite dry with just unrhetorical accounts of political parties and amounts that had to be paid and other times it was humorous and full of imagery. More editing here would have gone a long way.
I would recommend it for anyone who is beginning to learn about Nigerian politics or is interested in running themselves.
December 23, 2021
where do I begin?
I've wanted to read this book for a while now. Because I was interested in the author. Her contributions on twitter signalled someone with education and common sense and with a name like Ayisha Osori, I was intrigued. Sadly, I couldn't find any copies anywhere until I reopened an old okadabooks account.
I blew through this book. From the first page, I knew I was in for a jolly good ride. This wasn't going to be another boring expose on politics that I could hardly sit through. I abandoned all my work for the day and finished all 579 pages on my tiny phone screen in one afternoon.
Ayisha's writing was clear, simple like a real life conversation with her would sound. I imagine. .It made the book easy to follow and delicious to devour. I was nodding my head along when in the book, Mr Atedo Peterside commended Ayisha on her writing. Truly she can write.
Ayisha's personality through her own words only endeared me further to the author and her book. Here was a woman who was educated and well employed leaving her comfort zone to contest elections in Nigeria and doing it with dignity,discipline and grace all the way.
This book is definitely making it to my favourites list and I would like to reread it in future if only to revisit and enjoy the writing.
Now I'm off to scout the internet for more articles written by the author even if they be about politics because having read 'love does not win elections' I consider myself well versed in Nigerian politics and why not!
I've wanted to read this book for a while now. Because I was interested in the author. Her contributions on twitter signalled someone with education and common sense and with a name like Ayisha Osori, I was intrigued. Sadly, I couldn't find any copies anywhere until I reopened an old okadabooks account.
I blew through this book. From the first page, I knew I was in for a jolly good ride. This wasn't going to be another boring expose on politics that I could hardly sit through. I abandoned all my work for the day and finished all 579 pages on my tiny phone screen in one afternoon.
Ayisha's writing was clear, simple like a real life conversation with her would sound. I imagine. .It made the book easy to follow and delicious to devour. I was nodding my head along when in the book, Mr Atedo Peterside commended Ayisha on her writing. Truly she can write.
Ayisha's personality through her own words only endeared me further to the author and her book. Here was a woman who was educated and well employed leaving her comfort zone to contest elections in Nigeria and doing it with dignity,discipline and grace all the way.
This book is definitely making it to my favourites list and I would like to reread it in future if only to revisit and enjoy the writing.
Now I'm off to scout the internet for more articles written by the author even if they be about politics because having read 'love does not win elections' I consider myself well versed in Nigerian politics and why not!
January 14, 2024
“My view was that the power of First Ladies- at least the way that most used it - lacked legitimacy. Like a blunt knife forcefully used, they were likely to do more harm than good in the long run”
This book *chef’s kiss*. I literally bought it because of its title and it did not fail me.
It’s a memoir recounting the author’s experience as a woman running for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives.
I’m someone who isn’t very political yet, I couldn’t drop this book until the last page. Ayisha Osori was detailed with the events, encounters, experiences and emotions she went through at each stage of her campaign.
We see the lobbying, networking, Godfatherism, and everything associated with Nigerian politics from a first person point of view. It highlighted the good and the bad, how you can trust yet distrust your aides. But most importantly, the power of good intel and being in the right place at the right time.
I absolutely loved the storytelling. I loved the careful thought and details put into the writing for me. No unnecessary fluff, no enigma.
If you’re thinking about venturing into Nigerian politics as a woman, I strongly recommend reading this book. It’s an easy 5 star from my end.
This book *chef’s kiss*. I literally bought it because of its title and it did not fail me.
It’s a memoir recounting the author’s experience as a woman running for a seat in the Nigerian House of Representatives.
I’m someone who isn’t very political yet, I couldn’t drop this book until the last page. Ayisha Osori was detailed with the events, encounters, experiences and emotions she went through at each stage of her campaign.
We see the lobbying, networking, Godfatherism, and everything associated with Nigerian politics from a first person point of view. It highlighted the good and the bad, how you can trust yet distrust your aides. But most importantly, the power of good intel and being in the right place at the right time.
I absolutely loved the storytelling. I loved the careful thought and details put into the writing for me. No unnecessary fluff, no enigma.
If you’re thinking about venturing into Nigerian politics as a woman, I strongly recommend reading this book. It’s an easy 5 star from my end.
January 7, 2022
Deeply insightful and revealing!
Fascinating read! Ms. Osori takes the time to take us through her experiences as a political aspirant to become a candidate for one of the seats in the lower houses of Nigerian parliament. Her narrative is very precise and insightful, and her list of recommendations for future aspirants is invaluable. The things we don't know hurt us the most, and Ms. Osori gave herself, her time, and hard earned money to the task of braving the deep dark space that is the world of Nigerian politics. She shined a light on it to show the truth of what we have all been wondering about, and she shows us the way to go about starting to fix things.
Fascinating read! Ms. Osori takes the time to take us through her experiences as a political aspirant to become a candidate for one of the seats in the lower houses of Nigerian parliament. Her narrative is very precise and insightful, and her list of recommendations for future aspirants is invaluable. The things we don't know hurt us the most, and Ms. Osori gave herself, her time, and hard earned money to the task of braving the deep dark space that is the world of Nigerian politics. She shined a light on it to show the truth of what we have all been wondering about, and she shows us the way to go about starting to fix things.
August 3, 2025
And just like that I got a lesson in politics and what it means to vie. In 2015, Ayisha ran for the People's Democratic Party's ticket to the House of Representatives and lost.
Each chapter is a detailed retelling of her journey, and something she says rings true even in Kenya " Everyone can help you win, but it will cost you...In politics people get paid on earth, not in heaven."
☺️ Definitely recommend it.
One remarkable aspect I admire from reading this is how she kept her head above water, she questioned what she didn't understand- and her voice stayed true all through.
Each chapter is a detailed retelling of her journey, and something she says rings true even in Kenya " Everyone can help you win, but it will cost you...In politics people get paid on earth, not in heaven."
☺️ Definitely recommend it.
One remarkable aspect I admire from reading this is how she kept her head above water, she questioned what she didn't understand- and her voice stayed true all through.
March 18, 2025
Candor at its best
The author narrates with such open clarity that one almost suspects she was an investigative journalist who entered the race to get the inside track.
But as you delve into the tome, the genuineness of her quest is evident and you find yourself cheering her on, despite some practices that are otherwise despicable to the politically unititiated...
Well done Ayisha - I wait for your next adventure.
The author narrates with such open clarity that one almost suspects she was an investigative journalist who entered the race to get the inside track.
But as you delve into the tome, the genuineness of her quest is evident and you find yourself cheering her on, despite some practices that are otherwise despicable to the politically unititiated...
Well done Ayisha - I wait for your next adventure.
December 6, 2020
Insightful ad a Smart Read....
If you intend to run under the current Nigerian Political landscape,do your self a favour to study this book and have it as a moving Bible...
Let the author experience and legwork,be your experiences or prepare to get your fingers burnt and heart shattered by political Jobbers.....
If you intend to run under the current Nigerian Political landscape,do your self a favour to study this book and have it as a moving Bible...
Let the author experience and legwork,be your experiences or prepare to get your fingers burnt and heart shattered by political Jobbers.....
June 22, 2018
Served its purpose, I guess.
March 2, 2019
In Ms. Osori's uber revealing book on Nigerian politics and the electioneering process, you find that Love; truly, does not win elections. Money, strategic alliances, Godfathers and endorsements do.
June 18, 2020
This book will give you an insight into the inequality and corruption that occurs in Nigerian politics
October 10, 2023
This is just an amazing autobiography of what it is like to run for office in Nigeria. Amazing reading for an insider's look into Nigerian politics.
January 16, 2024
Familiar. Simple. Unpretentious and very engaging.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews