By Obike Ukoh.
The rush by politicians in opposition political parties to join the ruling party is worrisome. The worry is heightened, when the defection of a politician that won election on the platform of another party, defected to the ruling party and the defection was celebrated.
These defections, now part of Nigerian political life, have now raised serious fundamental question. Is it a crime to be in an opposition political party?
Definitely, the answer is no. In a federation like Nigeria, there are two levels of opposition: federal and state levels, one may even add a third, the local government.
If your party is not in power in this two levels, automatically it will be in the opposition.
Late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, a one time National Chairman of All Nigeria People’s Party(ANPP),once told party members in Ebonyi State that no political party is formed to be in the opposition.
Onu ran for the governorship of Ebonyi in 1999, on the platform of All Peoples Party (APP), and lost to Dr Sam Egwu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Onu did not defect, but continued to urge those that still remained to work harder, not to defect that one day, victory would be theirs.
Onu was among the ANPP leaders, that worked with politicians from other political blocs, to ensure the emergence of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was a sweet victory for the APC in 2015, as the party dislodged then ruling PDP, reducing it now to an opposition party.
What is happening now also happened in 2015, after Retired Gen. Muhammadu Buhari was declared President. There was mass defection to the party.
Mr Otuekong Franklgn Isong, Director, Centre for Human Right and Accountability Network (CHRAN), who commented on the roles of opposition, condemned the recent defections of politicians in the opposition parties to the ruling political party.
He described such move as self-serving and a threat to the country’s democracy.
He spoke at a public lecture in Uyo, with the theme, “The Role of Opposition Political Parties in Deepening Democracy.’’
Isong who noted that opposition political parties are necessary to safeguard democracy, stressed that democracy cannot thrive if political parties are depleted, drained or silenced.
“While we in CHRAN are advocating for independent candidacy to further enrich our multi-party system and broaden voters choice, we observe that the current political trend of self-serving defections from opposition political parties to the ruling party, if not checked, pose a serious threat to our hard-earned democracy.
“If we must deepen our democracy, opposition political parties must not be depleted, drained or silenced.
“If we must grow our democracy, we must resist the temptation of turning the country into a one-party state. Opposition political parties are necessary to safeguard democracy,” Isong said.
Mr Ibrahim Mustapha, a commentator, decried unnecessary switching of political parties, adding: “If there is anything that indicates the death of opposition politics in Nigeria, it is the gale of defection rocking the country’s political atmosphere.
“Opposition parties play the greatest roles for the development of democracy. They serve as a watchdog and check the excesses of the government in power.
“Besides, opposition parties also serve as an alternative to the ruling party. If the ruling party performs below expectations, the electorate have an option to vote for other political parties.’’
He attributed the embarrassing defections to wrong perception of political parties by Nigerian politicians.
“ Nigeria politicians see political parties as vehicles to ascend to power. Even in power, these politicians view politics as a gravy train for wealth accumulation, rather than an avenue for service delivery.
“This is in sharp contrast with developed democracies where political parties and politicians are ideologically based.
“It is very rare to see politicians rampantly moving in droves from one political party to another. But defection in Nigeria did not attract any sanctions despite the fact that political parties’ constitutions have spelt out penalties, including losing of power. Little wonder that they keep changing political parties that suit their interest.
“To trust Nigerian politicians is at your own peril. They do not have an iota of shame. They will blame and chide a political party and defect to it the next day.
“ As the country inches to another circle of elections, defection is the last card these politicians can play to remain politically relevant,’’ Mustapha stated.
Mustapha said that the high incidence of defection is not a good development and suggested that parties should ensure that “ party structures are democratic, inclusive, and transparent.
“Hold regular party congresses to allow members to participate in decision-making processes.
“Ensure that nominations for elections are based on merit, rather than patronage or other factors.
“Ensure transparent selection process for candidates and foster a strong sense of shared ideology and values among party members.
“Establish mechanisms for addressing grievances and concern within the party and above all, implement programmes that reward loyalty and dedication to the party.’’
On his part, former governor of Kano State and National Leader of New Nigeria Peoples Party, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, also condemned the current rampant opposition politicians switching allegiances.
He described it as the gravest “political sin” and the highest form of treachery against the populace, asserting that those who defected are motivated by selfish interests.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support, only to later abandon it. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Kwankwaso stressed.
Also on gale of defections, stakeholders in Ebonyi have called for tolerance of opposition views and respect for the rights of opposition leaders in the country.
According to them, in a democracy, political plurality is not only expected but protected,
adding however that in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, there was a growing concern over perceived hostility toward opposition voices.
Dr Paul Okorie, the 2019 governorship aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said that the attack against opposition politicians in Nigeria reflected a pattern of indifference and disdain to opposition by the ruling party.
Okorie, a one time commissioner for Works, Hosing and Transportation in Ebonyi said that constructive opposition remained the life-wire in a democracy.
He maintained that muzzling opposition voices through threats and intimidation would hinder democracy and democratic growth.
The politician who said that constructive opposition was the oil that drive democracy noted that any true democrat would be happy to have vibrant opposition.
“Any leader who is a real democrat and who is elected by the people will always want to welcome constructive opposition because that will put him on his toes.
“To know when he is doing wrong because those who are working with him because they will want to protect their selfish interest will not tell him the right thing.
“They will tell him, you are doing well; 4+4 is equal to 8, where as you are not doing well and it is only opposition that will tell the leader the truth; the heart of the people and how people feel,” Okorie said.
He said that belonging to opposition group should not be seen as crime, arguing that the present All Progressives Congress (APC) administration emerged as an opposition party in 2015 to become a ruling party under the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Opposition serves as checks and balances on the ruling party and the government in power,” he added.
Mr Chidi Nwankwo, an Abuja-based constitutional lawyer said that being in the opposition is not only legal but essential for democracy to thrive.
“Being in the opposition is not only legal, it is essential for democracy to thrive; any attempt to criminalise opposition is a threat to our constitutional order,” he said.
A political analysts, Dr Mike Igwe, warned that stifling opposition voices could lead to authoritarianism.
“Democracy dies not in a day, but in silence; once the opposition is gagged, the road to tyranny is paved.
“As Nigeria prepares for 2027 elections, the right to belong to any political party must remain sacrosanct; being in the opposition is not a crime, it is a constitutional right,” Igwe said.
However, Prof. Eugene Nweke, former Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Academics), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki said that in politics, people device strategies on how to win and secure their votes and hence deploy means that would help them achieve their desires.
But, he maintained that the use of intimidation and threat to outwit or muzzle opposition elements are not in line with democratic principles in all angles.
“There should be respect for the fundamental rights of individuals in a democracy and opposition should be allowed to thrive,” Nweke said.
Jonah Onuoha, a Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) who spoke on arbitrary switching of parties by politicians, said that no ruling party likes opposition parties.
Onuoha, who is also the Director, Centre for American Studies, UNN said that it’s not a crime for one to be in opposition party.
He said majority of ruling parties in the world, especially in Africa, hate opposition political parties because they are afraid the opposition may wrestle power from them in any slightest mistake.
“Opposition is not a crime because constitution of Nigeria and many countries especially those practicing democracy recognised the existence of opposition political parties.
“While ruling political party is always afraid and jittery about opposition is because they feel opposition may wrestle power from the ruling party
.”Frankly speaking, the ruling party needs opposition to succeed because their comments and criticism help to put ruling party cabinet on its toes.
All in all, to belong to an opposition party is not a crime, neither is it permanent. Also arbitrary switching of parties is not a big venture toHappy eulogise and celebrate.(ENDS)
Obike Ukoh, ex-Deputy Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
