Politics
Defections not threat to democracy – Public affairs analyst
Legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Jide Ologun, says Nigeria’s rising wave of political defections is not a threat to democracy, provided leaders embrace good governance.
He said democracy remains safe when government protects lives, improves welfare and delivers public services, rather than merely balancing partisan interests and political power blocs.
Speaking in Lagos on Saturday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, he noted that elections, parties and structures are only meaningful when citizens benefit from governance.
He said anxiety over Nigeria becoming a one-party state overlooks the deeper concern of whether those in office prioritise national interest above personal gain.
According to him, democracy loses value not when one party dominates, but when leaders abandon constitutional responsibilities and public expectations.
Ologun stressed that governance is judged by the lives it improves, adding that democracy collapses when citizens’ voices are ignored and public trust erodes.
He noted that Nigeria’s Constitution places citizens’ welfare and security at the core of leadership duties, stating that failure in these areas marks democratic decline.
Commenting on recent defections that strengthened the All progressives Congress’ grip in the National Assembly, he argued that ideology has faded from Nigerian politics.
He said many politicians now switch parties to secure influence and survival, rather than pursue policy convictions or long-term national development goals.
According to him, defections have become political armour, shielding individuals from prosecution, isolation or loss of relevance in an increasingly competitive political environment.
He cited constitutional provisions requiring defecting lawmakers without valid grounds to forfeit seats, saying weak enforcement has emboldened opportunistic political movement.
Referring to the Rivers Assembly episode, he said the law’s spirit was disregarded, creating room for selective interpretation and political manoeuvring.
Ologun said the Constitution’s silence on governors’ defections further weakens accountability, allowing executive leaders to switch parties without consequences.
He argued that past politics once carried ideological conviction and principled debate, while contemporary politics prioritises power, access and personal benefit.
He pointed to recent events in Delta, Akwa Ibom and Enugu as examples of alignments driven by calculation rather than belief in any party philosophy.
Ologun described President Bola Tinubu as a master political strategist who has gradually consolidated influence ahead of the 2027 elections.
He, however, urged Nigerians to avoid political apathy, remain organised and demand transparency, insisting democracy cannot thrive without an informed and active electorate.
He said citizens must insist on accountability, noting that unchecked political opportunism risks undermining institutions and weakening democratic culture.
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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Cross River State, Ambassador Ojong Agbor, has congratulated the new Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman, and urged him to focus on uniting members and rebuilding the PDP.
In a statement released on Monday, Ambassador Agbor described Abdulrahman’s emergence as “the best thing to have happened to the party,” saying it came at a time when the PDP urgently needed stability and direction.
He said he was delighted to see the new chairman assume office, noting that it signaled a fresh start for the party.
“I congratulate Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman. His emergence is a necessity to save the PDP from total collapse. As a child of necessity, he must unite the party and restore confidence among members,” Agbor said in the release.
He also urged Abdulrahman to move quickly to bring peace to the party, conduct all outstanding state congresses, and resolve disputed ones.
According to him, one of the new chairman’s top priorities should be setting up processes for a proper National Convention to elect a new National Working Committee.
Agbor concluded by praying for divine guidance for Abdulrahman as he begins his leadership journey at a critical time for the PDP.
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has no choice but to leave the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike stated that Atiku left PDP because he would not allow him to destroy the party.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Wike said Atiku had never been a committed member.
He said: “They have never been committed members. Atiku has no choice but to leave, because he wanted to use the PDP, but knowing that I’m there, he cannot get that platform.
“Those are people who destroyed the party, how many times has he left PDP and returned?
“Diri has said he has left PDP and I’m one of the happiest persons today. The same him and Makinde said they will not allow anybody to destroy the PDP and fall to the gutter. Who has entered the gutters today?”
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The Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC) has announced that it has completed all necessary preparations to conduct bye-elections in Kofar Mazugal and Matan Fada Wards, located in Dala and Ghari Local Government Areas respectively.
The Commission said the exercise became necessary following the death of the two councilors who represented the affected wards.
KANSIEC said the bye-elections will take place on Saturday, December 13, 2025, and will be conducted in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“The bye-election will be conducted in accordance with Section 30 of the Electoral Act, 2022, and Sections 76(2) and 116(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
The Commission assured residents of its readiness to deliver a transparent process.
“KANSIEC is fully prepared to conduct a credible, free, and fair election,” it added.
KANSIEC also extended its condolences to the Kano State Government, as well as the people of Dala and Ghari Local Government Areas, over the loss of their elected councilors.
“The Commission sympathizes with the government and the people of the affected communities over the unfortunate demise of their representatives,” the statement added.
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