Defection And Growth Of Nigeria’s Democracy

Personal and permanent
interest appears to be the predominant motive in politicians’ choice of political party, rather than ideology. This lends credence to the fact that in politics, there is no permanent friend, no permanent enemy but permanent interest. This trend, which is a misnomer, clearly defines the attitudes of politicians towards electoral processes.
How on earth could a person elected on a platform of political party, contemplate defecting to where he thinks that his ambition could be achieved not minding the party’s contributions towards his victory? Even if the party may not have committed so much financially, the campaign, moral and social support the party on whose behest he rode to victory, was enough to necessitate a rethink.
In developed democracies where patriotism and integrity hold sway in the game, the ideology of a political party has remained the guiding light and parameter for determining party affiliation. So invaluable is ideology that it proffers the bond for all who voluntarily or through persuasive reasoning opt for membership of a party.
And because the membership is ideology-compliant, it becomes abjectly difficult for a staunch member of a party to involve in anti-party, political infidelity known as decamping on the flimsy excuse that the party lost an election bid.
The media reports that some National Assembly members-elect from the South-east wanted to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC) because the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the March 28th Presidential Election leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It smacks gross indifference and non commitment to party ideals and a profound display of selfishness.
By now, Nigerian politicians should have learnt to remain inextricably attached to the vision and mission of their parties so much so that the mere thought of dumping a party over loss of elective position would be anathema, a disservice to the people, repugnant to strengthening democratic values and a double-standard disposition. It is worrisome that the gallivanting syndrome that has pervaded politics in Nigeria also defines the politicians’ mental attitude and perspective towards victory.
The absence of genuine commitment by election winners to carry every person along, is not enough to inform a decamp and create a one-party political scenario with the attendant unbridled abuse of position because of lack of vibrant opposition which should have served as a veritable alternative to an incumbent administration.
Rather than defecting to the winner-party, members of the opposition or other parties should think how they could tighten the loose ends with a view to forming the government subsequently. According to Napoleon Hill, “Effort not only releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.
Members of political parties in Nigeria should imbibe the rare trait of sticking to their party ideology even when the party failed to make significant impact at the polls. By so doing the temptation of being vagabond and seeming purposeless will be overcome.
No doubt a one party political structure portends far-more debilitating consequences to the democracy, as the tendency of the ruling party wielding absolute power to be corrupt absolutely is rife.
A strong and incorruptible opposition that is not averse or antagonistic to national development policies and programmes of the party in government, is the bedrock of a sustainable and durable democracy. Development-oriented opposition is a democratic tenet. It is an inevitable requirement to check a government.
Opposition is an integral part of governance in developed climes, however in most African countries, opposition is misconstrued as distraction and elicits reprisals from some government functionaries with repressive and dictatorial instincts.
Government and opposition are two sides of the same coin. Like the snail and its shell, they are inseparable pair. Separate both and each will languish for want of the other. This is why to think of running an opposition-free administration will only translate to deceptive self-appraisal and ultimately failed administration.
It is not saying something new that a government that is amenable to positive and creative public opinion is one poised to make a significant impact on the lives of the people and the feature of the constituents is that they are products of the ballot.
I agree with Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe that conformity is not harmony and if we all are thinking alike, then someone is not thinking. This sentiment further underscores the necessity of opposition and divergent stand-points in matters of public interest.
A politician that defects to a party they did not contribute to its victory at the poll is at best a man who wants to reap where he did not sow. Political parties should be wary of such defector because he is like the proverbial iron and clay that cannot blend.
The electoral laws should make it stringent for politicians not to defect. For those elected, they should be made to lose their seat since it was on the platform of a political party they emerged.
To this end I give kudos to Muhammadu Buhari, president-elect, for warning those who are planning to defect to All Progressives Congress (APC) with a view of seeking relevance to remain in their party to build it.
I hope politicians are listening.

Igbiki Benibo