Recent Political Defections Not Good For Nigeria's Democracy
In the 54 years of Nigeria’s independence,
different political systems have been tried and implemented. But
current lack of “clear-cut ideologies,” selfish interests of lawmakers
and politicians, failure to pay attention to genuinely pressing problems
is the worst period for us, Unjoerated Onwukeme, Naij.com’s guest contributor, argues. It seems that, ahead of the 2015 elections buzz and tension, a season of political defections has started and is affecting our policies negatively.
“In recent weeks, it’s been a season of political defections all over the country. All the political parties have had their own share of political defections, but it seems the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are benefitting from this latest development.
“Political analysts are yet to come to terms with Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s defection from the Labour Party (LP). This was the platform he used to win the governor ship election in Ondo State in February 2009. This was the platform he was re-elected on in October 2012 for a second term, making him the first Ondo State governor to win a second-term election.
“A well-known son of Ndi Igbo [Igbo people], the immediate and controversial past governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi, was tagged by many as “the cat with nine lives” during his reign in the Awka Government House from March 2006. Impeachment and political miscalculations made him lose his seat but each time court rulings were always in his favour. He was re-elected as governor for a second term and served from February 2010 to February 2014. Observers may not be surprised with his latest defection to the PDP because he was accused severally of hobnobbing with the ruling party during his reign as governor of Anambra State.
“In August this year, Uche Ekwunife, the member representing Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the House Of Representatives, dumped the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with other APGA House of Representative members, from August 2014 till date we have witnessed series of defection that kept mouth wagging.
“The latest tendency of political defections is contrasting to what was obtained in the First Republic, when major political parties of the era (like the Action Group (AG), the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC)) had a clear-cut ideology. Even in the Second Republic, the five major parties also had definite ideologies which they pursued fervently. The Third Republic, when the country experimented a two-party system (the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC)) saw a great distinction in policies and ideologies. Political analysts and historians posited it was the last time political parties operated along ideological lines.
“When the transition from the military rule to civilian in 1998 kicked off, we saw the emergence of three major political parties: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance For Democracy (AD), and All People’s Party (APP). Many believe these parties were formed without clear ideological policies, which turned political defections to an every-day affair.
“The number of politicians who have defected from one party to another in this current regime is alarming. Many attribute this defection to the level of desperation of the politicians in pursuing an elective post.
“Muhammadu Buhari, the former military Head of State, has contested for presidency three times. Two times (in 2003 and 2007), with the All Nigeria’s People’s party (ANPP). Once, with the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which he founded in 2011. He is currently a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The APC was formed in February 6th 2013 in anticipation of February 2015 general elections through the merger of four political parties: the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress (AC), the All Nigeria’s People’s Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). General Buhari is also aspiring to contest for the fourth time in the February 2015 Presidential election under APC.
“Atiku Abubakar, the ex-Vice president of Nigeria from May 1999 to May 2007, has been a presidential aspirant since 2007. While pursuing the highest seat in the land, he had moved from PDP to the now-defunct AC, the defected back to PDP. Now, he is the APC’s presidential aspirant.
“Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the controversial governor of Imo State, won the hardly-contested governorship election in Imo State in 2011 under the APGA. He has been member of almost all the political parties in Nigeria. He is also a one-time presidential aspirant. Governor Okorocha surprised everybody in February last year when he took his supporters from a faction of APGA and defected to the newly formed APC.
“Rotimi Amaechi, the controversial governor who became governor of Rivers State through Court ruling in October 2007 after he was controversially substituted before the election also joined the train of politicians that defected to APC late last year after an irreconcilable differences with the presidency that lasted for months
amidst conflicts and tension that almost consumed Rivers state.
“Rabiu Kwakwanso became governor of Kano State in 1999, but lost his re-election in 2003. In 2011, he was re-elected for a second term. Kwakwanso left the PDP for the APC arguing that neither the presidency nor the party leadership had shown any respect to him or his office.
“Chief Tom Ikimi, the former minister of Foreign Affairs under the late General Abacha, was the founding member and in board of trustees of the now-defunct APP. In September 2001, he defected to the PDP. In 2006, he was among the founding members of the now-defunct AC and led the party to win the governorship elections in 2007, and also in 2012 in Edo State. Ikimi was also saddled with the responsibility of heading the Merger Steering Committee of the defunct AC, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA that coalesced into APC. He fell out with the leaders of the APC, following his inability to clinch the party’s chairmanship position. In August 2014, he defected to the PDP.
“The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was the presidential flag-bearer of the now-defunct AC in the 2011 presidential election. He also defected to the PDP in August this year citing the pursuit of a “good cause” rather than selfish desires as his reason.
“Some attribute political defections to intimidation and lack of internal democracy in their party. Others attribute their political defections to lack of followership of their parties outside the shores of their region.
“Most politicians defect to other parties because of selfish interest. Why would Mimiko, who contested and won elections twice under the LP, defect to the PDP which gave him sleepless nights as governor of Ondo State?
“Some political observers cite pressure at the top as the reason for political defections. Others attribute it to political relevance. Peter Obi’s case was borne out of political relevance because his former party, the APGA, may not be able to achieve his mission: to be relevant and functional in the country. That is why he had to align himself with the current ruling party.
“This series of political defections is not good for our democracy. Many will agree that the defection of politicians in this dispensation, especially in the last three months, merely reflects the level of desperation for political relevance in pursuit of public office.
“Whatever the case is, our present crop of politicians are not statesmen and do not believe in party ideologies. They are just power-drunk.”What is the point for switching political parties in Nigeria?
If you wish Naij.com to publish your own opinion article, please read our Guide for Naij.com Guest blogging, as you may find our tips useful. Submit your articles, messages, topics for discussions, Ask Naij questions, reports and photo-reports, as well as feedback, to info@naij.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Source:Clement Ejiofor, naij.com, Re-posted by Abdulgafar Abdulrauf Adio (a.k.a) esho2luv (www.econsforumnews.blogspot.com)
“In recent weeks, it’s been a season of political defections all over the country. All the political parties have had their own share of political defections, but it seems the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are benefitting from this latest development.
“Political analysts are yet to come to terms with Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s defection from the Labour Party (LP). This was the platform he used to win the governor ship election in Ondo State in February 2009. This was the platform he was re-elected on in October 2012 for a second term, making him the first Ondo State governor to win a second-term election.
“A well-known son of Ndi Igbo [Igbo people], the immediate and controversial past governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi, was tagged by many as “the cat with nine lives” during his reign in the Awka Government House from March 2006. Impeachment and political miscalculations made him lose his seat but each time court rulings were always in his favour. He was re-elected as governor for a second term and served from February 2010 to February 2014. Observers may not be surprised with his latest defection to the PDP because he was accused severally of hobnobbing with the ruling party during his reign as governor of Anambra State.
“In August this year, Uche Ekwunife, the member representing Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia Federal Constituency in the House Of Representatives, dumped the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) along with other APGA House of Representative members, from August 2014 till date we have witnessed series of defection that kept mouth wagging.
“The latest tendency of political defections is contrasting to what was obtained in the First Republic, when major political parties of the era (like the Action Group (AG), the Northern People’s Congress (NPC), the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC)) had a clear-cut ideology. Even in the Second Republic, the five major parties also had definite ideologies which they pursued fervently. The Third Republic, when the country experimented a two-party system (the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Republican Convention (NRC)) saw a great distinction in policies and ideologies. Political analysts and historians posited it was the last time political parties operated along ideological lines.
“When the transition from the military rule to civilian in 1998 kicked off, we saw the emergence of three major political parties: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alliance For Democracy (AD), and All People’s Party (APP). Many believe these parties were formed without clear ideological policies, which turned political defections to an every-day affair.
“The number of politicians who have defected from one party to another in this current regime is alarming. Many attribute this defection to the level of desperation of the politicians in pursuing an elective post.
“Muhammadu Buhari, the former military Head of State, has contested for presidency three times. Two times (in 2003 and 2007), with the All Nigeria’s People’s party (ANPP). Once, with the now-defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which he founded in 2011. He is currently a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC). The APC was formed in February 6th 2013 in anticipation of February 2015 general elections through the merger of four political parties: the Congress For Progressive Change (CPC), the Action Congress (AC), the All Nigeria’s People’s Party (ANPP), and a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). General Buhari is also aspiring to contest for the fourth time in the February 2015 Presidential election under APC.
“Atiku Abubakar, the ex-Vice president of Nigeria from May 1999 to May 2007, has been a presidential aspirant since 2007. While pursuing the highest seat in the land, he had moved from PDP to the now-defunct AC, the defected back to PDP. Now, he is the APC’s presidential aspirant.
“Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the controversial governor of Imo State, won the hardly-contested governorship election in Imo State in 2011 under the APGA. He has been member of almost all the political parties in Nigeria. He is also a one-time presidential aspirant. Governor Okorocha surprised everybody in February last year when he took his supporters from a faction of APGA and defected to the newly formed APC.
“Rotimi Amaechi, the controversial governor who became governor of Rivers State through Court ruling in October 2007 after he was controversially substituted before the election also joined the train of politicians that defected to APC late last year after an irreconcilable differences with the presidency that lasted for months
amidst conflicts and tension that almost consumed Rivers state.
“Rabiu Kwakwanso became governor of Kano State in 1999, but lost his re-election in 2003. In 2011, he was re-elected for a second term. Kwakwanso left the PDP for the APC arguing that neither the presidency nor the party leadership had shown any respect to him or his office.
“Chief Tom Ikimi, the former minister of Foreign Affairs under the late General Abacha, was the founding member and in board of trustees of the now-defunct APP. In September 2001, he defected to the PDP. In 2006, he was among the founding members of the now-defunct AC and led the party to win the governorship elections in 2007, and also in 2012 in Edo State. Ikimi was also saddled with the responsibility of heading the Merger Steering Committee of the defunct AC, ANPP, CPC and a faction of APGA that coalesced into APC. He fell out with the leaders of the APC, following his inability to clinch the party’s chairmanship position. In August 2014, he defected to the PDP.
“The pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was the presidential flag-bearer of the now-defunct AC in the 2011 presidential election. He also defected to the PDP in August this year citing the pursuit of a “good cause” rather than selfish desires as his reason.
“Some attribute political defections to intimidation and lack of internal democracy in their party. Others attribute their political defections to lack of followership of their parties outside the shores of their region.
“Most politicians defect to other parties because of selfish interest. Why would Mimiko, who contested and won elections twice under the LP, defect to the PDP which gave him sleepless nights as governor of Ondo State?
“Some political observers cite pressure at the top as the reason for political defections. Others attribute it to political relevance. Peter Obi’s case was borne out of political relevance because his former party, the APGA, may not be able to achieve his mission: to be relevant and functional in the country. That is why he had to align himself with the current ruling party.
“This series of political defections is not good for our democracy. Many will agree that the defection of politicians in this dispensation, especially in the last three months, merely reflects the level of desperation for political relevance in pursuit of public office.
“Whatever the case is, our present crop of politicians are not statesmen and do not believe in party ideologies. They are just power-drunk.”What is the point for switching political parties in Nigeria?
If you wish Naij.com to publish your own opinion article, please read our Guide for Naij.com Guest blogging, as you may find our tips useful. Submit your articles, messages, topics for discussions, Ask Naij questions, reports and photo-reports, as well as feedback, to info@naij.com. We’re looking forward to hearing from you!
Source:Clement Ejiofor, naij.com, Re-posted by Abdulgafar Abdulrauf Adio (a.k.a) esho2luv (www.econsforumnews.blogspot.com)
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