Defection Virus And Political Morality Crisis: Plundering Gandhi’s Political Healing -By Abdu Abdullahi

Two things baffled me greatly while dissecting Sule Lamido’s autobiography, ‘Being True to Myself’. Interestingly, both serve as a great lesson for our contemporary politicians to be politically and morally sound as well as being accountable to both Allah and the people they represent.

The first instance, as mentioned in the book, was when the then Peoples Redemption Party( PRP) had concluded its electioneering campaign and it was time to nominate candidates who would contest for elections into various political offices. Surprisingly, everyone was feeling shy and reluctant to present himself for any political position because, at that time, it was a matter of championing deep romance with ideological fundamentalism and not power extremism.

The second was when the late governor of Kano state Abubakar Rimi decamped to the Nigeria Peoples Party(NPP) from the PRP. Sule Lamido persuaded Rimi to vacate the seat he was occupying because he had left the party that provided him the legitimate platform for winning the election. Lamido convincingly argued that it would be morally destructive for him to continue occupying the seat of the governor while he had abandoned the party that fielded and supported him. To save himself from that chronic disease of political infidelity, Rimi obliged, preserved his ideological doggedness and honorably stepped down. That was the climax of the victory of political morality and principles. That was how Rimi emerged and won the hard-earned title of a political saint. Till date, Rimi is being celebrated as one of the best principled governors Nigeria has produced.

From these two incredibly political and historical experiences, it is clear that political ideology breeds political morality with high efficiency and achievement.The effective mixture of the two symbiotic elements ensures a healthy political purpose and developmental goals. Also, such a remarkable blending connects ‘real’ politics with human aspirations through selfless services. Regrettably, the abject poverty of political principles is now like a dreaded pandemic destroying Nigeria’s political domain with severe consequences on the big question of morality. For now, mass defection of politicians is the ‘gruesome’ theme of Nigeria’s democracy. It is the unwanted child of political inconsistency in which some political characters have distorted the esteemed value of party loyalty.

When elected governors, state and federal lawmakers merrily celebrate political nomadism as an institutionalized hobby to jump into the ship of the ruling party, without relinquishing their positions as Rimi morally and courageously showcased, their politics is no longer realistic in terms of creating masses- oriented government. With this unhealthy trend, the awesomeness of cardinal principles of politics has collapsed. The moral demonstration of politics fueled by ideological power to boost the welfare of the masses, not aggrandizing the welfare of politicians through unwanted political migration should not be the highest point of political accomplishments.

Fortunately, the late Mahatma Gandhi’s invaluable contribution to politics embedded in principles sends a universal message of strengthening the political minds of politicians to do the needful in political articulation. In his profound reflections on the ‘seven sins that destroy humanity’, politics without principles serves as the backbone of political corruption and degeneration. Gandhi’s main concern is that defection for the sake of power is like a virus that infects the political system and eventually corrupts the society. Unfortunately, power struggle is dangerously defining and conquering our political space, however, ideological battle resonating with national interest is reduced to the barest minimum.

With the various categories of defections triggered by the high spirit of self-aggrandizement, the political environment is not conducive for a national rebirth but individualistic discovery. For Gandhi, developmental politicians ought to uphold fundamental values of politics like morality, accusing political leaders of focusing on image-building rather than substance, promoting superficial attraction rather than character and genuine policy. Moreover, he warns politicians to be wary of power for power’s sake culminating in opportunistic alliances, defection and corruption, rather than serving the public good.

While interpreting opportunistic alliances, Gandhi cites as a typical example, forming and breaking political partnership for temporary gain, ignoring ideological consistency. He further stresses the issue of legality versus morality. This means engaging in actions that are technically legal but morally corrupt, like bribery or prioritizing self- interest over public duty. In other words, politics should have a moral face that ought to be maintained and improved, at least, for the survival and prosperity of the next generations.

In politics engineered by elevated principles, Gandhi sees a glorious and beautiful society. In politics without morality and principles, Gandhi’s fear is the plundering of a national will. For Gandhi, the mighty instrument of principles is for uplifting mankind in social, economic, moral and spiritual spheres. He also warns of leaders focusing on winning votes only rather than providing substance. With the current wave of defections polluting the political processes, it is just a matter of time that the desperation for power will ignite an uncontrollably political upheaval.

In complete disregard for political morality, the defectors are still occupying the seats that they won under the platform of another political party. This is a political felony that should be eradicated by constitutional review and our collective will. Nigeria needs reformers not ‘defectors’ without national objective. Democracy is wearing a new character that is bankrupt of moral values. The craze for power is now the end result of politics.

For the continuously political dislocation of Nigeria, the deadly virus of irrational defections will continue to inflict fatal injuries concerning political morality. The greatest casualty is the larger society as encapsulated by Mahatma Gandhi.

Abdu Abdullahi
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