Please bear with me. The past couple of weeks have been incredibly challenging on both personal and professional fronts. I couldn’t write my column last week, and unfortunately, I’m unable to do so again this week. However, in my absence, I leave you in the thoughtful and capable hands of my uncle, Jonas Odocha, who recently wrote the following deeply reflective piece.
If you heard the statement made by a current sitting governor last night and were neither shocked nor disappointed, then you may be part of the problem contributing to Nigeria’s political decline.
While freedom of association is a fundamental right enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, the issue at hand is the disturbing overreach of executive power—specifically, the act of compelling others to follow political moves under duress.
A troubling culture has emerged in Nigerian politics: politicians defecting en masse from one party to another—Party A to Party B, or even Party C—without regard for the constitutional provisions that govern such movements. These defections, often motivated by personal or political gain, are frequently celebrated by receiving parties because they bolster their numerical advantage. Yet, this trend blatantly undermines the spirit of the Constitution and poses a threat to the stability of the country’s democratic institutions.
It is within the governor’s right to defect to another party—so long as the legal and constitutional requirements for such a move are respected. However, what is entirely unacceptable, unconstitutional, and dictatorial is the governor’s insistence that commissioners, cabinet members, and other state officials must also defect with him—or face removal from office. That is a clear abuse of power. Period.
This practice sets a dangerous precedent. Competent, high-performing public officials risk losing their positions simply because they refuse to switch party allegiance in line with the governor’s preferences. What message does this send to the public? That loyalty to party politics trumps service delivery and competence?
Worse still, it sends the signal that political loyalty now outweighs integrity and performance in public service. It reduces governance to a game of allegiance, not accountability.
Nigerians must start critically evaluating the broader consequences of such authoritarian practices. The public should recognize that mass defections, especially those orchestrated by governors or other high-ranking officials, are more than political strategy—they are manifestations of impunity that erode democratic values.
Take Delta State, for instance. When a similar incident occurred there, it barely raised concern. Only a few questions and quiet murmurs followed, reflecting a fundamental misunderstanding of political representation in Nigeria. Politicians are elected under specific party platforms, with a mandate from the people. If they choose to leave that platform, shouldn’t the electorate be consulted or at the very least, informed?
This disregard for accountability also plays out in the National Assembly. Instead of transparent voting processes, we often witness the use of ambiguous “voice votes”—a practice that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for constituents to track where their representatives stand on critical issues. This lack of transparency is unheard of in more functional democracies, where votes are individually counted and publicly recorded, allowing citizens to hold their representatives accountable.
In Nigeria, however, the culture of secrecy persists. Everything is done behind closed doors so that when questions arise, politicians can conveniently dodge responsibility. This isn’t just inefficient—it’s dangerous.
So, are Nigerians simply unaware, afraid, indifferent, or have we been compromised to the point of powerlessness? Have we become so desensitized that we no longer demand better governance or accountability?
Regardless of the reason, this collective complacency must end. It is stifling our progress and destroying the foundations of our democracy.
The recent incident with the governor issuing an executive order for forced defection is a glaring example of growing impunity. Governors are elected leaders, not emperors. Nigeria is a democracy, not a monarchy. If we do not resist these autocratic tendencies now, they will only escalate.
Delta State was just the beginning. Now, a new governor is issuing public orders demanding collective political migration. What form will the next executive order take? If we continue to turn a blind eye, we will all ultimately suffer the consequences of the seeds we allowed to be sown.
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This is a wake-up call for every Nigerian. Our democracy is only as strong as the people’s willingness to defend it.
