What Nigerians think of widespread political defections
Hadiza Umar, 45, International Development Consultant, Kaduna The widespread political defections is an indication that we do not have true politicians with patriotic intentions towards the nation and the masses. The politicians are running from one camp to the other to secure their political interests, which is mainly personal and selfish. It is also an […]
Hadiza Umar, 45, International Development Consultant, Kaduna
The widespread political defections is an indication that we do not have true politicians with patriotic intentions towards the nation and the masses. The politicians are running from one camp to the other to secure their political interests, which is mainly personal and selfish. It is also an indication that they do not have a development agenda to deliver when voted in. If our politicians cannot stay true to a party or a cause and build it, but would rather run to be on a platform where someone else has toiled to keep, leaves a lot to be worried about how we can entrust our great nation to them. It is truly sad and that is why the masses should not vote based on party or sentiments, but on competence and achievement. We need leaders who are strategic, patriotic, disciplined, principled and who operate based on globally accepted ideologies. God help Nigeria!
Rabi Musa Saulawa, Businesswoman, Kaduna
Nigerian politicians are self-centred and self-serving people, that is why they cross-carpet from one party to the other, once things are not going the way they want. Some of them have made defection their modus operandi. Nigerians of today are aware of such politicians and have refused to be fooled by them. Nigerian politics needs to be sanitized, so the right kind of people can participate. We need patriotic, progressive, intelligent, selfless and God-fearing people in politics, as these present ones, especially the legislators, have failed us woefully.
Emmanuel Massah, Public Servant, Bayelsa
This defection issue started during Goodluck Jonathan’s era. It was not popular during Obasanjo’s regime. When Jonathan wanted to contest for second term, some people in PDP teamed up against him and that led to his defeat in 2015. Buhari is now preparing for second term, and Nigerians are saying that he is not doing well in terms of improving our economy and in fulfilling other campaign promises. So that could be the reason. Some leaders are defecting to oust him.
But those defecting lack political ideology. We should have a stake in whatsoever we do. The rate of defection doesn’t show maturity in our political system. It is up to you to remain and bring in policies that will help it to stand and ensure that people buy into your ideas and ideology. The most important thing is for us to change our way of doing things, whether you defect to APC or PDP, it does not change your person. Party manifesto should be the guideline for public office holders to perform.
The present phenomenon of defections among our political elite does not come to me as a surprise. Our politicians are more concerned with acquiring political power and can go to any length to achieve their objective if the political platform they belong to seems not to promote their interests. It is also a known fact that our political parties are merely an association of persons or groups with self-interests as against ideology.
Tony Omoun, Public Servant, Bayelsa
Politics is a game of interest, so the reason could be best known to those defecting. It is always said that he who wears the shoe knows where it pitches. They have the constitutional right to go to any political party they think will favour them. So, I don’t think because of defection, they should be chased unlawfully and take some drastic measures which could undermine our democracy.
If the party leadership does not operate in the way that is favourable to its members in government, they have the right to find another political platform. It happened in 2014, so it’s not a new thing in our politics.
Eunice Nnachi, Journalist, Bayelsa
The question Nigerians should ask is why defections are taking place when election is near. Does this demonstrate interest in the masses or personal interest? For example, former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Senator Godswill Akpabio doesn’t have any good reason for defecting. It has been rumoured that EFCC was used to intimidate him to abandon his former party, but anybody that follows the happenings in the state when Akpabio was a governor will know that EFCC is the least of reasons that could make him dump his party for APC. He performed well and most of the landmark projects in the state actually prove that he used the resources of the state for the good of the citizenry. So, his defection is mainly due to personal interest and hunger for power, that is why he is defecting to APC at this time when others are moving out.
Those defecting believe that the Buhari-led government is not doing well. The poor masses are dying of hunger and people are suffering, even in his home community, Daura. People are complaining, which means that Nigerians are not comfortable with the government. That is why politicians are leaving APC.
Lloyal Tari, 28, Unemployed Graduate, Bayelsa
Defections don’t have any positive impact on the Nigerian economy and governance. Those defecting are doing so because of their selfish interests and not for the wellbeing of the entire country. Defections cannot strengthen the politics and governance of this country, but rather strengthen the aspirations of individuals. How many of them defected because government has not made impact in their constituency or the economy is not improving? None. So, politicians should always act based on issues and not because of personal interest.
