Says May Tilt Nigeria Into One Party State

Condemn Politicians Who Use Politics As A Means Of Livelihood

The gale of defection of members of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the massive loss suffered by the ruling party in the 2015 general election has been described as a bad omen that is capable of tilting the country toward a one party system.

Speaking with Naija247news, Mojeed Olujinmi Alabi, a professor of Political Science and Adjunct Professor of Public Law, and former lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ilorin, said the development was dangerous to Nigeria's fledgling democracy.

"It is a manifestation of the fact that there are many who do not have visible means of livelihood outside politics. So, for me, it is a bad omen and I want to advise the leaders of the APC that if they cannot stop the defectors from joining their party, they should not give them frontline positions in government," he said.

Alabi added: "In any democracy, there is need for vibrant opposition that can checkmate the government in power. Absence of a vibrant opposition can lead to one party system which is not healthy. We don't want that kind of calamity to befall our democracy. Where there is no opposition there will be impunity. If those behind the ACN had left the party, how would they have successfully merged with CPC, ANPP to form the APC that has become attractive today? "Secondly, these people who are coming from the PDP have no ideology. They have not imbibed the spirit and ideals of the progressives. Such people should not be admitted into the APC."

Ebenezer Babatope, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), said those jumping ship were not real members of the party but fair weather politicians.

"Well, all I can tell you is that I am still monitoring the outcome of the elections. All I know is that serious-minded people in the PDP will remain with the party and work for it to the point that it will be strong again to win elections at the centre.

"The party will bounce back, no doubt, I know it will. For me, I will remain with the PDP and my advice is that people should not take such action; it does not show commitment to a cause," Babatope said.

Condemning the development, Dayo Adeyeye, minister of state for works, and Niyi Adebayo, a former governor of Ekiti State, also described the defectors as fair-weather politicians, saying they should have remained in the PDP to form a formidable opposition party to the incoming APC Federal Government.

Adeyeye said: "The loss at the presidential poll is a good opportunity for us in PDP to rebuild and re-strategise. PDP will be able to offer a virile opposition despite the defections."

For Adebayo, the defectors just want to identify with the winning party. John Odigie-Oyegun, national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), decried the gale of defections, saying it is not good for the nation's political development.

"Many opposition party members have defected to APC just because they lost out; that is not good for political development. One would have advised that opposition members should stay where they are, and form a formidable opposition party," Odigie-Oyegun said.

Alex Ideh, a chieftain of the APC in Delta State, said he was worried that if the ugly trend was not halted, it might lead to incursion or certain elements he described as political entrepreneurs, whom he said, would undermine the harmony in the party.

Though he said the party's doors remained open to politicians from rival parties, Ideh, however, emphasised that the APC must obtain commitment from the intending defectors that they would abide by the party's existing rules and regulations towards "cohesion in the corporate interest of the party and the advancement of democracy in Nigeria."

It would be recalled that the camp of the ruling party has continued to be depleted, through mass defection of members since the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari of the APC in the March 28 presidential election. Reacting to the development recently, Buhari warned the defectors that joining the APC would not guarantee them instant largesse.

According to Buhari, "The people who are defecting will only have influence in their constituencies. Since their constituencies are now controlled by the APC, their influence is therefore, limited.

"I hope the people that are defecting will accept the fact that they are joining the people who succeeded. So, I don't think they will just come and say they want to be ministers next month simply because they were ministers before."

A public affairs commentator noted that those who are currently jumping ship are the same people that fouled the air in PDP.

"The truth about PDP's failure is that some of its members did not assist the party to succeed as they were running their personal parochial agenda in government offices. Currently, we are witnessing a bandwagon effect among politicians. Most of these politicians who in the past perpetrated treasury looting and endorsed corruption are now abandoning their political parties for the APC," the pundit said.

Indications at the weekend show that the PDP camp will further be depleted as more of its followers are set to pitch their tent with the APC.

Early defectors

Jigawa State Deputy Governor, Ahmad Mahmud; Ayo Arise; Gbemisola Saraki; Osariemen Osunbor, former Edo State Governor; Eunice Uzor Kalu, mother of former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu; Olusola Oke, former PDP national legal adviser of PDP and gubernatorial candidate in the 2012 election in Ondo State.

Charles Airhiavbere, a retired major-general, coordinator of the Goodluck Jonathan campaign in Edo State and former gubernatorial candidate of the PDP. He was said to have defected with about 3000 supporters. Others are Michael Aondoakaa, a former minister of Justice; Tony Ijobor (SAN) and Major General Lawrence Onoja, a retired major-general and Mansir Musa Shehu, immediate past chairman of the PDP in Kebbi State.

Other bigwigs of the PDP from Kebbi State who have defected include Hussaini Adamu, a PDP gubernatorial aspirant in the state; Sani Yusuf, Commissioner of Commerce; Garba Uba Bullet, a member of the House of Representatives, and Bello Kaoje, House of Reps candidate. Others are Danjuma Sabi Kamba, Shehu Dan’Agaji Malisa, Bala Labbo Gwandu, Ilyasu Kambaza, Dambegu Vice, Usman Ankwani Zuru, Danjuma Kadanho Zuru, Aliyu Planner Kalgo, Haruna Magarza, Abu Dangoje and Rilwanu Auwal.

In Katsina State, the defectors include Tukur Jikamshi, a former deputy governor; Nasidi Baure commissioner for Lands and Survey; Babangida Nasamu, Halilu Ibrahim, Bello Isyaku, Rabiu Ahmed, Abdullahi Shuaibu, Barau Danjanjiba, Audu Danshehu, Mudashiru Mahdi, all members of the State House of Assembly. Ambassador Saidu Adamu Daura, Haruna Dogo Namyare, Kabiru Royal and Haruna Gyarta and their followers also have also left.

In Imo State, some gubernatorial aspirants such as Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, Humphrey Anumudu and Bethel Amadi have also jumped ship. Others are Kelechi Okpaleke, Cyprain Amako, Bethel Nzimako, Charles Amadi, Vitalis Ajumbe and Rex Anunobi.