…We’re not bothered, party working to win more states, NASS seats –NNPP scribe
…LP closing ranks, carrying out reconciliations – Ifoh
…Defection not alien to us, we’re working to change members’ ideology – AA’s Omotosho
…PDP tight-lipped
A gale of mass defections pervading party lines is currently staring virtually all opposition political parties in the face. It is also coming at a time when political actors and gladiators are mooting the idea of an alternative political party as the 2027 general elections beckon; KEHINDE OSASONA writes.
Since the inception of the Third Republic, politicians – senators, Reps, governors and others – have at one time or the other defected from one political party to another, citing various reasons for their actions.
Although both intra and inter- party conflicts occasioned by alleged corruption, political aspiration, mismanagement, high-handedness are some of the challenges that have plagued the functionality of the political system in Nigeria, many believe that they are not enough reasons to abandon one’s party as parties can employ internal resolution mechanisms to resolve face-offs.
A few days ago, when the trio of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party (LP’s) presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and a former governor of Kaduna state, Malam Nasir el-Rufai attacked the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the party swiftly rose in defence by waiving the opposition parties’ threats.
The party went further to describe the PDP as “a party sinking into oblivion due to the political desperation and excesses of Atiku,” who they labelled a serial presidential contender.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Barrister Felix Morka, stated further: “The bizarre suggestion by opposition figures like Atiku, Peter Obi, and recently aggrieved leaders like Malam Nasir el-Rufai that our great Party may be complicit in the internal corrosion of opposition parties is pitiful, and only an incompetent alibi for their crass failure to manage their own affairs. They cannot govern their parties, but tout their ability to govern Africa’s most populous country.”
Morka was responding to backlash that followed the national conference held in Abuja which was organised by opposition parties with the aim of ‘strengthening democracy in Nigeria.’
But while dissecting the opposition’s antics against the backdrop of APC and Morka’s reaction, a political commentator, Aliu Ikihlea, said the event was indeed ‘rattling,’ adding that saying “danger lurks ahead.”
The APC, according to him, is populated by highly intelligent and smart politicians who know how to disperse political enemies rather than allowing any gang-up ahead of crucial elections.
“You saw the way the APC countered growing opposition mounting against it even at this inception? That was a smart move; smart because they cannot afford to allow an amalgam of aggrieved politicians beat them to their game.
“But listen to this: whether APC, PDP, NNPP, LP or what have you like it or not, defection is imminent and it would spread through all the parties; mark my words,” Ikilhea said.
However, as a pointer to the rumour making the rounds, checks by Blueprint Weekend revealed that defection has actually been taking place on a low profile, and many have merely kept mute, choosing not to make any news out of it.
Further findings by this medium showed that while some defected, others just resigned from their party and are still awaiting further directives from their supporters or godfathers on their next line of action.
While some politicians are still consulting and aligning before making further moves, others are already pitching their tents with their preferred parties.
For instance, last week, news of the defection of the lawmaker representing Delta North Senatorial District, Ned Nwoko, from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was regarded as not only strategic, but daring considering the Delta political terrain.
The announcement, made in Nwoko’s hometown of Idumuje Ugboko, in the Aniocha North local government area of Delta state, came as the senator declared his strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nwoko’s defection, according to pundits analysing the political environment, would further strengthen the APC’s hold over Delta state.
The senator’s move now leaves the state with all three of its current senators; Nwoko, Ede Dafinone, and Joel Onowakpo Thomas, firmly aligned with the ruling APC.
Analysts believe the shift could have far-reaching implications, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Nwoko’s Spokesperson, Gloria Okolugbo, told newsmen that her principal had long hoped to drive key infrastructure projects in Delta North, including electricity and water supply, but faced political obstacles within the PDP that impeded his progress.
According to the spokesperson, the Delta North senator believes that by aligning with the ruling APC, he can better serve his constituents and help achieve more in terms of development.
She said further that internal party struggles, particularly factionalism within the PDP, had made it increasingly difficult for the senator to secure funding for essential projects such as the Okpai Independent Power Project and the Ogwashi-Uku dam – key initiatives he believes are vital to improving the lives of his people.
Just a few weeks ago in Kwara state, a former Minister of Sports, Bolaji Abdullahi, also resigned his membership of the PDP.
Although he did not declare his next move, Bolaji, a strong loyalist of the former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, might be up to something and followers of political events believe that his move cannot be without his boss’ consent.
The former sports minister, in his resignation letter dated December 16, 2024, addressed to the Ubandawaki Ward chairman of the party in Ilorin, stated: “I have had ample time to reflect, and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time.
“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to express through you my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform and for the great moments we have shared.”
The letter was copied to the state chairman of the party and the chairman of the Ilorin West local government area chapter of the party.
LP, NNPP, AA defiant
However, while speaking exclusively with this reporter on the threat posed by defections and the likely implications on political parties, the National Secretary, New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Comrade Sunday Olaposi Oginni, deflated the threats, saying the defections fever going on within the opposition political parties will never affect its party.
According to Oginni, the party is being repositioned and the administration of the party has now returned to the dictates of its founding fathers and the Board of Trustees.
He said further that, “NNPP is ready to improve on the performance index of the 2023 elections. NNPP shall move forward from winning a governorship seat to possibilities of winning more states and getting more seats at the National Assembly.
“The exit of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from NNPP is more of a blessing than a curse. It is on good authority that Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has been driving credible potential candidates away from the party for his selfish interest.
“Now that the likes of Kwankwaso and Bubba Galadima have been expelled from the party, the doors of opportunities are now widely open for credible Nigerians to come into the Party.”
In another exclusive interview, the National Publicity Secretary of the Action Alliance (AA), Comrade Olu Omotosho, said although the party would not treat the issue of defection with kid gloves, “It’s not alien to Nigerian politics that when a political party gains power, it will work assiduously on depleting the membership fortune of the opposition parties.”
He continued, “We are well conversant with that, however, the interesting thing in that is the fact that it’s only lilly-livered politicians who lack appropriate political ideologies in their political alignments that could be swept into such myopic deceptions called defection.
“In our own case, we have members who are solidly rooted in the ideals and focus of our political views and vision; so, we are less apprehensive about such popular intrigues that easily capture members of political families who are there to make the numbers.
“Membership recruitment antics never gain sustainable members with loyalty, but persons who look out there for crumbs to fill their stomachs and quench the thirst for desired easy routes to temporary recognition that never last.”
According to Obiora Ifoh, the national publicity secretary of the Labour Party (LP), the party is set for reconciliation, and that it is ready to prioritise the nation over parochial interests.
Ifoh told Blueprint Weekend that the national chairman of the LP, Barrister Julius Abure, had charged the state chairmen of the party to always prioritise the interests of the party and that of the nation “which supersedes all other parochial interests.”
Abure said, “There is no family without disagreements; there is no political party without its own disagreements, but the ability to come together after those disagreements is what is most important.
“It is often said that it does not matter how many times a man falls, but that what is most important is how he has managed to get up each time he has fallen and continues the journey.
“So, we are open for reconciliation and we are ready to resolve all our differences and move the party forward.
“The interest of the party and the nation superseded all other parochial interests. With this in mind, I believe that we will be able to come together and have a more formidable party for the future of the country.”
Going forward
Although the PDP Spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, neither picked nor respond to messages which were sent to his cell phone to get his comment on why changing of political allegiance has suddenly become part of the political culture in the country, concerned Nigerians are of the view that defection or cross-carpeting, as the case may be, does not augur well for a fledgling democracy like the country’s.