Opinion

2015 Election And Defection: What Do People Say?

Published

11 years ago

April 27, 2015

Following the victory of
the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the last presidential polls, there has been massive defection of politicians from their former political parties to the APC across the country.
This development has become worrisome to some people who think that it might lead to the death of opposition in Nigeria’s democracy.
How do Port Harcourt residents view the issue? Our Chief Correspondent, Calista Ezeaku and photographer, Ibioye Diama went round the city to find out.

Mr Kelvin Sunju Ibiama – Politician
Well, we know very well that every human being will want to join the moving train. Nobody wants to sink with the sinking boat. So it’s part of the game. It is not unacceptable even though the winners will always want to say the losers that will come in shouldn’t come to displace them to benefit from the struggle. So it is a welcome idea. I know defection did not start today. So the massive defection is expected also considering the fact that APC is now the majority party that has won over 20 states. More will cross over through tribunal, through making sure that they remain in the moving train and you cannot stop people from moving from one party to the other except it will be enshrined in the constitution. For now, there is no embargo on defection from one party to another.
That said, I think the massive defection that is going on in the country now is a welcome development because if we all tilt to one side, the fight will be less. For instance if you look at second tenure elections, the fight is usually less than what we see during transition or free elections. The second tenure is always softened based on the fact that most people have accepted defeat, most people defected during the first tenure and all that. So if we all tilt to one side it will lessen the fight and create a more peaceful atmosphere for the electorate.
I am not saying opposition should be killed but if majority is on one it lessens the fight. It will Reduce violence in our elections. When there are strong oppositions definitely, the opposition plays a positive role in any democratic government. For instance, when we were all in PDP, what we heard was “carry go” when you shout PDP they would say “carry go, no shaking.”
But today, because of strong opposition you no longer hear carry go or no shaking. Every party now works. So when there is strong opposition, you know you cannot sleep until you get it right.

Mr Wosa Sunday Okedi- A Banker
Well, the issue is that Nigerians don’t play politics as sportsmen. They see politics as a do or die affair which is very bad. If you belong to a political party and at the end of the day that party does not win election, that does not mean that you should defect from your party to the winning party. Remain in your party and embrace the party that won. All we need is a peaceful atmosphere and development of the state and the nation.
Unfortunately, most of our politicians are extremely selfish. Their main reason for defection is to benefit from the ruling party and they go there they start to suppress other people. They are all the same people, moving from one party to another. The parties all have the same ideology, that is why the politicians can defect from one party to another easily. If they have different ideologies, the ideology of a particular party may not suit the members of another party, then they will not have any reason to defect. But because they have the same ideology, it is easy for them to move from one party to another.
I’m afraid, the massive, constant defection will affect our democracy if not checked. It will not allow our democracy to grow the way it supposed to grow. It will kill opposition and may lead to one party state which is not good. Opposition parties makes the ruling party to be up and doing. Opposition make the party in power to do something for the people and to fulfill their campaign promises.
So, the National Assembly should enact a law that will make it difficult for people to be jumping from one party to another. The law should state that once an election is conducted, there will be no room form defection. There should be a time frame for defection. If you don’t move from this period to this period, don’t move again, because your movement at this period may endanger our democratic process.

Mr Bestman Dinwee – Driver
What is there is that everybody has his own choice and there is nothing wrong with defection. Definitely everybody will not move to APC or PDP. There will still be those that will choose to remain in their parties. And that is why I condemn the recent warning by the publicity secretary of APC – Lai Mohammed that PDP member should stop defecting to APC. People have the right to join any party of their choice at anytime. Any where you see something coming out you go. There are so many reasons why people decamp. Somebody can give you some money to decamp from your party to another. Majority of our leaders do not help us, so anywhere you see help, you go.
But as I said earlier, it is a personal decision. For me, my party remains my party. PDP is the party I like and that is where I will remain. Others can decamp at any time, it is not my own problem. The important thing is that I’m still there and I don’t think anything will make me change my mind.

Miss Joyce Loveday – Businesswoman
For me, it is not good for politicians to be jumping from one party to another. They should remain in their parties because I strongly believe that after the tenure of the in-coming elected officers the pendulum will surely swing to another party’s direction. If all the PDP members move to APC simply because APC will be the ruling party, it means they don’t want the existence of PDP. Despite the fact that I don’t know much about politics, I don’t think it should be played in that way.
When this side is bad, you run to the other side, when the other side is bad, you run to this side. What about those people that remained in their party, whether good or bad? If your house is not in order, you don’t run away, instead you stay in it and think of how to put it in order. You have to think of how to forge ahead because if there are no failures, there will be no success. When you fall, you try to rise up and move on. We are all bound to make mistake but when you make mistake you try and correct them and forge ahead.
However, in as much as I will want politicians to remain in their parties even when they lose, I will also want the winning party to carry members of other parties along, because there are good people in the opposition parties who can help in moving the nation forward. I believe people jump from one party to another because the ruling party controls almost everything but a situation where qualified people will be given appointments irrespective of their party affiliation, the rate of defection will reduce. The party at the top should ensure that everybody is carried along. The state, the nation belongs to us all and whichever party that wins should ensure that those that lost are carried along.

Chief Moses Daniel – Retired Civil Servant
I look at it as a fraud. I say is a fraud because this people are not sincere to themselves. You are in a party and you’ve nurtured the party up to an extent and it happens that your party did not win in an election and you defect to another party to do what? You should make sure your party grows instead of dumping it for another party.
Actually, I think our system encourages defection because our system is such that if you don’t belong to a rulling party, you will not partake in anything on the federal level. If you don’t belong to a rulling party, you will not be carried along. But I think that whether your party wins or not you are supposed to remain in your party because you don’t know tomorrow. The equation might change tomorrow.
This defection is actually affecting our democracy because it is the same people that are moving from one party to another. They are defecting to enable them go and make the same mistakes they made in their former parties that they couldn’t deliver. If you know yourself and you are a person of high principles, you have to remain in your party whether it wins or not because a looser today might be a winner tomorrow.

Mr Ikiriko Karibi Victor – Civil Servant
In the first place they say that success has many fathers and loosers are orphans. So I believe that those defecting from other parties to APC are doing so to see whether they can get money from the in-coming government. Secondly, they may also go there to cause problem because other people struggled to build up the party and they are now going there to go and cause confusion.
I think the law should take its course in this matter. For instance, we hear that in Ondo State, the court ruled that those who dumped their parties to other ones should vacate their seats. And so, if the law makers come up with a good law then the issue of defection will be reduced to the barest minimum because if nothing is done about the massive defection it might result to a one party system. I will also support the decision of the APC that politicians should remain in their parties. APC should close their doors against the defectors because if they don’t do so, everybody will join the party and we may end up with one party system.
And let me use this medium to advice those defecting to think twice because it might have adverse effect on their individual personalities. Let me give you an example, if Tonye Princewill had remained in ACN after contesting the governorship election under that platform perhaps Dakuku wouldn’t have be the governorship flag bearer of APC in the last election. Because he moved from one party to another, nobody has trust in him again. But for those who are consistent in their parties, they get better opportunities in future. So I will advise members of other political parties to maintain membership of their parties, nurture them into strong oopposition parties instead of drifting to the ruling party.

Opinion

NDDC: Time To Illuminate Homes

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote:“Twenty-five years on, the Niger Delta cannot celebrate illuminated streets while families sit in darkness. Development must begin inside the home — where children study, businesses grow, and lives are built — before it glows on the roadside.”

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 with a clear and urgent mandate: to facilitate the rapid, even, and sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region. The creation of the Commission followed decades of agitation over environmental degradation, infrastructural neglect, and socio-economic marginalization in the region. Its core mandate included the development of roads, bridges, electricity, water supply, health facilities, education, housing, environmental remediation, and economic empowerment initiatives. At inception, expectations were high that the Commission would transform the Niger Delta into a model of regional development. Over the years, the NDDC has indeed implemented numerous projects across the nine Niger Delta states. Roads have been constructed and rehabilitated in several communities, easing transportation challenges.

Schools have been renovated, and new classroom blocks have been provided in underserved areas. Health centres have been built or upgraded, improving access to primary healthcare services. The Commission has also awarded scholarships to students, including foreign postgraduate scholarships, empowering thousands of youths academically.Skills acquisition and youth empowerment programmes have helped many young people gain vocational competencies.Through various interventions, the NDDC has contributed to job creation and local economic stimulation.Solar-powered street lighting projects have been widely implemented in urban and semi-urban communities. These streetlights have improved visibility at night and contributed to enhanced security in some areas. Markets, highways, and public spaces illuminated by solar lights have experienced extended business hours.

For these efforts, the Commission deserves acknowledgment and commendation. However, development must always align with foundational mandates and pressing grassroots realities. A growing concern among residents is that while streets are illuminated, many homes remain in darkness. Rural electrification and household power access remain inconsistent and inadequate across large parts of the region. In riverine and remote communities, families still rely on generators, kerosene lamps, or complete darkness after sunset. The irony of brightly lit streets juxtaposed with powerless homes cannot be ignored. Electricity at the household level directly impacts education, health, and small-scale enterprise. Students cannot effectively study at night without reliable indoor lighting.Families cannot preserve food or power essential appliances without stable electricity.

Micro and small businesses struggle to grow without dependable energy access. While street lighting enhances public aesthetics and security, it does not substitute for domestic electrification. The proverb “charity begins at home” is especially relevant in this context. True community development must first empower households before beautifying public spaces. The Commission’s original mandate emphasizes integrated and sustainable development, not isolated infrastructural gestures. Balanced development requires that energy interventions prioritize homes alongside streets. Solar technology presents a unique opportunity for decentralized household electrification in off-grid communities. Extending solar solutions to individual homes would have a transformative social impact. Home-based solar systems could power lights, fans, small appliances, and communication devices.

Such interventions would reduce poverty, improve living standards, and stimulate grassroots productivity. By broadening its energy focus, the Commission would better reflect the spirit of its founding legislation. This is not a call to abandon street lighting projects, which have their merits. Rather, it is an appeal for balance, inclusivity, and alignment with core developmental objectives. Strategic planning should ensure that rural electrification and household access form a central pillar of ongoing interventions. Community engagement and needs assessments can help determine priority areas for household solar deployment. Twenty-five years after its establishment, the NDDC stands at a reflective moment in its institutional journey. The people of the Niger Delta say: thank you for the efforts so far—but not very much—because true appreciation will come when development begins at home and radiates outward, not merely when streets shine while houses remain in darkness.

By: King Onunwor

Opinion

When Democracy Becomes Too Expensive

Published

5 days ago

March 2, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “When elections become investments to be recovered, governance turns transactional and the moral foundation of democracy begins to erode.”

The high cost of participating in politics in Nigeria remains a serious and growing concern. The trend is rising so sharply that democratic competition increasingly risks becoming the preserve of a wealthy few. From exorbitant party nomination fees to campaign logistics, media exposure, litigation expenses, and regulatory charges such as the proposed ?150 million campaign advertising permit reportedly introduced in Enugu under Governor Peter Mbah, the financial barriers to public office are steadily hardening. If not addressed, this trajectory could erode inclusion, weaken electoral credibility, and deepen corruption within the political system.

Money has always played a role in politics. Elections require funding for mobilisation, communication and administration, while political parties need resources to organise primaries and reach voters across the nation’s diverse terrain. However, when financial demands become excessive, they cease to be necessities and instead become structural barriers that exclude capable citizens from participation.

The Enugu situation provides a troubling case study. Reports indicate that the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) announced a mandatory ?150 million advertising permit fee for parties and candidates participating in the 2026 local government and 2027 general elections. According to the agency’s General Manager, Francis Aninwike, the fee would permit deployment of campaign materials — banners, branded vehicles, T-shirts and handbills — and street rallies, with sanctions for non-compliance.

One is compelled to ask: how can someone vying for office be required to pay ?150 million merely as an advertising permit, separate from nomination forms and other logistics? Where would a civil servant, a teacher earning N70,000 minimum wage, or a young graduate eager to serve find such a sum? How can ordinary citizens compete in a system demanding such staggering outlays?

An opposition party has described the steep fee as a ploy by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State to stifle opposition participation. Whether sustained or not, the perception is damaging. Aside from incumbents or those backed by powerful interests, how many candidates can realistically afford ?150 million solely for advertising clearance?

There is no dispute that state agencies have legitimate responsibilities. Regulating outdoor advertising and preventing visual pollution are valid objectives. However, such regulation should not come at a heavy cost to Nigeria’s fragile democracy. The Aninwike-led ENSSAA and similar bodies must recognise that while regulation is necessary, affordability is essential for democratic participation.

The constitutional framework recognises the central role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in ensuring free and fair elections. Yet formal administration is only part of the democratic equation. Informal financial pressures — delegate inducements, media monetisation, security logistics and post-election litigation — already multiply the cost of contesting beyond official limits. Massive campaign-related fees further compound an expensive process.

Recent findings presented at a policy engagement organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy in Abuja underscored the gravity of the situation. House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda warned that Nigerian politics is becoming an elite preserve in which only those with deep pockets can compete. Access to vast financial resources, he argued, has become a near precondition for political viability, transforming what should be a civic right into an expensive venture.

He noted that politics in Nigeria has been thoroughly monetised, systematically pricing out women, youth and persons with disabilities — the very groups policy frameworks claim to uplift.

The implications are disturbing. In a context where elections are viewed as investments, public office becomes a site of capital recovery. Contracts are inflated, appointments monetised, and governance turns transactional. What emerges is a vicious cycle: only the wealthy can contest, and once in office, they seek to recoup their investment, deepening public cynicism and eroding the moral basis of governance.

Although some parties waived nomination fees for women in 2017 and 2023, and parties such as the Young Progressive Party were formed to promote youth participation, exorbitant campaign expenditures continue to sideline many aspirants. Women accounted for only about 8.4 per cent of candidates in the 2023 general elections, with similarly low youth representation.

The cumulative effect is dangerous. When political entry is determined primarily by financial capacity rather than competence or vision, the recruitment pool narrows drastically. Talented professionals and grassroots organisers may never appear on ballots simply because they cannot afford the price of entry. A system that filters out merit while rewarding wealth weakens governance outcomes.

Nigeria must therefore treat rising electoral costs not as routine complaints but as democratic stability concerns. Political parties should drastically reduce nomination fees, especially for women, youth and persons with disabilities. Transparent fundraising and spending disclosures should replace opaque financing structures.

Regulatory agencies must balance administrative control with democratic openness. Campaign advertising fees should be proportionate and structured in ways that do not create artificial barriers. INEC and other enforcement institutions must strengthen monitoring of spending ceilings and apply meaningful sanctions for violations.

Civil society, the media and professional bodies also have critical roles to play. Public discourse should prioritise issue-based campaigns rather than money-driven spectacle.

Ultimately, democracy thrives not merely when elections are conducted, but when they are genuinely accessible. Political participation must remain a civic right, not a luxury commodity. Nigeria’s democratic journey cannot afford to drift into a system where leadership selection depends primarily on financial muscle rather than merit and service.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

Righteous Leadership Still Thrives

Published

2 weeks ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “Institutional decay is not irreversible when integrity and action sit at the helm.”

In every institution, there comes a defining moment when leadership either deepens decline or inspires rebirth. For the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (Publishers of The Tide), that defining moment arrived when the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Sir. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D, came to share the premises with the Staff of The Corporation due to the ongoing renovation work at the State Secretariat. For years, the physical condition of the corporation mirrored the uncertainty that hung in the air. Leaking roofs told silent stories during the rainy season, damaged floors bore the weight of neglect, and the once vibrant environment seemed to plead for urgent attention. Staff members worked under conditions that tested both resilience and commitment. Buckets placed strategically to catch dripping water became a routine sight at some quarters, while cracked tiles and weathered walls diminished the pride that should accompany service in a state-owned media institution.

Yet, in the midst of these challenges, hope was not entirely lost. There remained a collective belief that with purposeful leadership, restoration was possible. That hope found expression when Honour Sirawoo Ph.D., Permanent Secretary in the Rivers State Ministry of Information, assumed as a co-occupier. His arrival was quiet, but his impact would soon resonate loudly across the premises.Leadership, it is often said, is not about occupying an office but about occupying responsibility. From his earliest inspections of the corporation’s facilities, it became evident that he saw not just buildings in disrepair, but a workforce deserving of dignity.The transformation began swiftly. Contractors appeared on site. Assessments were carried out with precision. Plans were not merely announced; they were implemented. Leaking roofs that had long defied repair were carefully amended.

For the first time in years, staff could listen to rainfall without anxiety. Damaged floors were reconstructed, restoring both safety and aesthetics. Walking through the corridors no longer required cautious navigation around broken surfaces. The fencing of the premises, once a pressing security concern, became a priority. A properly secured environment now speaks of order, responsibility, and foresight. General maintenance, often overlooked in public institutions, was institutionalized. From structural reinforcements to aesthetic upgrades, the corporation began to wear a new look. But beyond bricks and mortar, something deeper changed. Morale improved. Staff productivity increased. The psychological boost of working in a conducive environment cannot be overstated. The transformation has not merely been cosmetic; it has been cultural.

Workers now speak with renewed pride about their workplace. Visitors to the premises have noticed the difference. The once tired-looking structures now stand as testimony to what decisive leadership can accomplish. In governance, righteousness is reflected in fairness, diligence, and a genuine concern for people. These virtues have characterized the stewardship of Honour Sirawoo Ph.D.His approach demonstrates that public office is a sacred trust, not a ceremonial title. He has shown that administrative leadership can be both compassionate and result-driven.The improvements at the corporation align with a broader vision of strengthening information dissemination in Rivers State. A vibrant media institution is essential for democratic growth.By restoring the physical infrastructure of The Tide, he has indirectly strengthened the voice of the state. Journalists and editors now operate in an atmosphere that encourages excellence.

It is often said that environment influences output. The recent editions and renewed energy within the newsroom reflect this truth. When righteous leadership prevails, systems respond positively. Accountability replaces complacency, and progress becomes measurable. Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has exemplified a leadership style rooted in integrity and practical action. He did not merely acknowledge problems; he confronted them. Such commitment deserves recognition beyond routine commendation. It speaks to a capacity for higher responsibilities within the state’s administrative architecture. Rivers State stands at a critical juncture where visionary administrators are needed across ministries and agencies. Leaders who understand that development begins with attention to detail are invaluable. The transformation at the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation serves as a case study in responsive governance. It proves that institutional decay is not irreversible.

Higher positions of trust demand proven competence, moral uprightness, and administrative foresight. In these respects, Honour Sirawoo Ph.D. has demonstrated remarkable readiness. His performance suggests suitability not only for continued leadership within the Ministry of Information but also for broader strategic roles that shape state policy. Beyond the state, Nigeria’s public service landscape requires administrators who combine academic depth with practical efficiency. His credentials and achievements place him in that league. “When the righteous bear rule, the people rejoice” is more than a biblical aphorism; it is a lived experience within the corporation today. The chapter of the Holy Bible that declares, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice”, (Proverbs 29:2), is a timeless reminder that good governance brings joy and stability to the people.

The joy of the staff is visible in their renewed dedication. The pride of ownership has returned. The institution breathes again. History often remembers leaders not for speeches but for tangible impact. The restored roofs, repaired floors, secured fences, and ongoing maintenance are enduring symbols of purposeful governance. The place started its journey to new looks with the arrival of the acting General Manager, Stella Gbaraba, who in her little way, initiated and executed some repair works in the premises. It will be worthy to point out that the duo are of the Ogoni extraction of the state, it is then safe to say that the combination is superb in that it has produced some excellent results. Importantly, the Permanent Secretary did not stop at The Tide Newspaper premises alone. His vision of renewal extended beyond a single institution to embrace all the State owned media houses under the ministry’s supervision.

At Rivers State Television, he executed massive renovation works that redefined the operational environment. Offices were upgraded, structural defects corrected, and modern standards restored to a facility that serves as a visual voice of the state. State-of-the-art office equipment were procured to enhance efficiency, ensuring that staff members could perform their duties with contemporary tools befitting a modern broadcast station. Radio Rivers too also got its own share of the Permanent Secretary’s benevolence and team spirit. Understanding the strategic importance of radio in grassroots communication, he ensured that critical infrastructure received attention. He provided them with steady power supply, reducing the interruptions that once hampered seamless broadcasting and ensuring consistency in programming delivery.

A functional Out Broadcast Van (OB Van) was made available, expanding the station’s capacity for live coverage of events across the state and beyond. The studios were upgraded to be up-to-date, improving sound quality, technical operations, and overall broadcast standards in line with modern expectations. Garden City Radio equally got its own touch in a superlative way. Renovation, equipment upgrades, and operational enhancements positioned the station on a stronger footing. Across the board, his interventions were not selective but comprehensive, reflecting a leadership philosophy anchored on inclusiveness and institutional strengthening. His target generally is to leave the State-owned media houses in a better shape than he met them. That objective is not rhetorical; it is practical and measurable in bricks, cables, studios, offices, and renewed human confidence.

By strengthening television, radio, and print under one coordinated vision, he has reinforced the information architecture of Rivers State. The cumulative effect of these interventions is a more vibrant, responsive, and professional state media system capable of meeting contemporary communication demands. As the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation along side its sister state-owned media houses continue their journey, it does so strengthened by the evidence that righteous leadership still thrives. And indeed, when the righteous bear rule, the people truly rejoice.

By: King Onunwor