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By Tracy Moses
As the countdown to the 2027 general elections intensifies, Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing a wave of realignments, with lawmakers and political figures increasingly shifting allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
While the trend is bolstering the APC’s numerical strength, it has sparked concerns among opposition leaders and political observers about the implications for Nigeria’s democratic stability and multi-party system.
Reacting to this development, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, described the defections as a disturbing development. He warned that the movement of lawmakers to the ruling party not only weakens the opposition but also erodes the structural integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The continued defections are not just weakening the opposition but also undermining the foundation of our democracy,” Chinda said. “Can the APC truly be confident in the loyalty of both old and new members? The same culture that fuels defections to the ruling party may just as easily reverse course before the 2027 elections.”
Chinda revealed that the PDP has scheduled an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to deliberate on the crisis. He emphasized the urgent need for political reorientation and constitutional amendments to address what he described as a systemic absence of party ideology.
“As a Caucus, we will consider legislative remedies to discourage reckless defections while respecting freedom of association. We must amend our laws to clarify the grey areas and encourage genuine party ideology in policy and governance,” he stated.
Defending the wave of defections, the Deputy Spokesman of the House, Hon. Philip Agbese, who represents Ado/Ogbadibo/Okpokwu Federal Constituency under the APC, argued that the movement of politicians between parties is a legitimate expression of fundamental freedoms.
“Democracy includes the right to freedom of movement and association,” Agbese said. “These defections reflect personal convictions and are not unusual in dynamic political systems. The APC’s governance and vision may be attracting those who want to make a meaningful impact.”
While acknowledging concerns about the weakening of the opposition, Agbese maintained that the legislature and judiciary play crucial roles in maintaining political balance.
“Mass defections may indicate dissatisfaction with party leadership or ideological shifts. However, the key is for institutions to ensure the process remains fair, transparent, and supportive of a credible opposition,” he added.
Similarly, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, who represents Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency on the APC platform, dismissed claims that the APC is deliberately orchestrating a one-party state.
According to him, the defections are more indicative of internal disarray within the opposition, particularly the PDP, than of coercion by the ruling party.
“This trend reflects weaknesses within the opposition and the growing appeal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership. Politicians are simply making choices that align with their political survival and aspirations,” Ugbor said.
He further argued that despite its current majority, the APC does not enjoy the same numerical dominance the PDP held during its heyday.
“During its strongest years, the PDP had a more commanding majority in the National Assembly than the APC currently does,” Ugbor noted. “What we are witnessing is a shift driven by strategic calculations, not necessarily a coordinated effort to destroy opposition politics.”
Ugbor attributed the exodus from the PDP to a perceived lack of unity and coherent strategy within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The PDP has failed to inspire confidence among its members. No politician wants to campaign under a fractured umbrella. They’re seeking stable, unified platforms that enhance their re-election chances,” he explained.
Also weighing in was former House of Representatives member from Delta State, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, who confirmed his recent defection from the PDP to the APC. He cited alignment with President Tinubu’s leadership and a renewed commitment to national development as his reasons for leaving the opposition.
Ossai, who represented Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency and had been a leading PDP figure since the Fourth Republic, said he has no regrets about his decision to join the APC in February.
“I am excited to join the APC, a party that shares my vision for a better Nigeria. I am confident that with the support of the APC, we can achieve great things for the people of Ndokwa Nation,” he said.
He emphasized that his defection was motivated by a desire to deliver tangible development to his constituents, adding that many defectors are driven by similar convictions.
“Those defecting to the APC see more strength in its platform for achieving real progress, and I see no offense in that,” he added.
A political and constitutional analyst who spoke to Pointblanknews.com on condition of anonymity offered a candid assessment of the trend.
“Defections in Nigeria are rarely about ideology, they are about survival. Our political system is designed to reward those close to power and punish those outside the ruling coalition,” he said.
He blamed Nigeria’s centralized power structure, where federal resources, contracts, and appointments are highly concentrated, for incentivizing the rush to the ruling party.
“Politicians are defecting not because of any philosophical shift, but because they want protection, visibility, and political oxygen,” he argued.
According to him, Nigeria’s political parties often lack clear ideological frameworks and function more like electoral platforms than vehicles for societal transformation. As a result, shifting allegiances attract little public outrage.
He also pointed to Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that a lawmaker who defects from the party under which they were elected must vacate their seat. However, the accompanying proviso creates a loophole, allowing defection if the original party is deemed to be in crisis or undergoing a merger.
“This clause has been stretched and abused beyond its original intent,” he said. “Until we fix this ambiguity and reconcile it with the right to freedom of association, impunity will persist.”
He concluded, “The implications of this defection culture are far-reaching. It threatens to weaken opposition parties as effective checks on executive power, dilutes ideological clarity, and fosters a perception of politics as a pursuit of self-interest rather than public service.
“These defectors are not defecting for the people, they are defecting for themselves. Their desperation to stay relevant reveals how transactional our politics has become.”