Defections hurting democracy, says NPSA

From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The continued defection of politicians from one political party to the other across Nigeria is hurting democracy in the country.

The Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), made the observation in its maiden quarterly report on politics and governance, issued by its National President, Prof Hassan Saliu.

The association bemoaned the defections, declaring that it is “frightening and alarming, lacking any modicum of decency and thus constituting breaches of the law.”

The NPSA, which recalled that it had earlier raised concerns about the defections currently being witnessed in Nigeria, stated that its implications for loss of opposition vitality and emergence of civilian dictatorship are real.

According to the report: “While it is correct that the idea of defecting itself does not constitute a breach of the law, the manner in which the right is exercised in most cases has stood the law on its head. One of the conditions set by the 1999 Constitution (as amended) is that it can only happen without repercussions if there are divisions within a political party at the national level.

“On a few occasions, the judiciary’s performance was satisfactory in matters of defection. Beyond the issue of law, what about morality: taking the electoral victory of one party and giving it to another party not initially favoured at the polls?

“The NPSA has previously warned about the implications of such defections on Nigeria’s democracy, including the potential for a one-party state and the loss of opposition vitality. The other implications of these defections may include the abridgement of citizens’ rights, the emergence of a civilian dictator, and political instability.”

The NPSA stated that broadening ideological horizons to reflect progressive values and not sloganeering is necessary to address the underlying causes of the trend of defection.