One prominent political culture that characterizes our democracy is the practice among politicians to move from one political platform to another. This is well pronounced among all categories of politicians operating at both national and local levels. It is sad to remark that the level at which our politicians shift grounds they could comfortably be regarded as mobile taxi’s without garage or in local parlance ‘ashawo’ (prostitutes)
The history of defections or as was popularly known back in the days cross-carpeting, dates back to the colonial era when Nnamdi Azikiwe’s National Council for Nigeria and the Cameroon (NCNC) party defeated the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region legislature. Awolowo signalled his kinsmen to leave Azikiwe’s fold to embrace his group. This I guess signed off the era of ethnic politics in this country. But today money has become the critical factor or motivation to switch parties beyond ethnic loyalty.
When this is related to some unwholesome behaviour displayed by them and other issues put together, it is not difficult to understand why politics in this side of the divide has been labelled ‘a dirty game’. Our politicians are reputed to go to ‘bed’ with anybody without counting the cost of such actions so long their selfish interest is served.
The political space in the country in recent times has been fuelled by a gale of defections of politicians from one party to another. This is not unexpected as 2023 approaches. Shocking defections have been taking place at both the national and state level. Most striking is the movement of a former Minister of Aviation, Femi-Fani Kayode who self declared himself a sworn enemy of the government.
After pouring serial invectives on the government to the extent of swearing that he would rather die than join the APC, he made a volte-face eventually to join the same party he had rejected and denounced. This has led tongues wagging as to whose interest the politicians are serving. The integrity of politicians has further waned by what they say and do.
It is also a sad commentary that our political culture lack any known political ideology or philosophy as is common with the advanced democracies. Little wonder our politicians are more concerned with championing their selfish interest than those they claim to be representing. Politicians claim that for them there is only a permanent interest to champion and this they do without taking into account the general interest of the people they claim to serve. Their style lacks integrity, direction and sense of purpose.
News Echo wishes to advise that all the stakeholders behind the political destiny of this nation, the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC), the political parties and their leadership, the judiciary, etc should examine this issue and find a solution without affecting the constitutional rights of people to free association.
There is no doubt that evolving a political ideology and philosophy will help to strengthen our democracy. Political education and right orientation is key. It is regrettable politics in this part of the globe has been lowered to the level of gambling, scam decorated in political garb, an adventure into fortune and a glorified yahoo yahoo business. The way it is going these boys are leading us into the abyss. They have stripped themselves of every honour.
