Political Decamping: Nothing Short Of A 419 Scam -By Isaac Asabor

In a true democracy, political parties serve as ideological platforms through which candidates present their vision, policies, and governance strategies. Voters align themselves with the candidates and parties whose principles resonate with their aspirations. However, a troubling trend has emerged in Nigerian politics where politicians contest elections under one party and, after securing victory, defect to another for self-serving interests. This practice is nothing short of political fraud and a betrayal of the trust reposed in them by the electorate.

Given the foregoing view, there is no denying the fact that the act is a violation of voter trust. This is as elections are won based on trust. When a candidate runs under a particular party, voters make their choice based on that party’s manifesto, ideology, and promises. However, when politicians cross over to another party after winning, they disregard the voters who supported them and even those who opposed them. Such actions amount to a blatant betrayal of the democratic process and reduce elections to a mere game of political expediency.

Imagine a voter who supported a candidate based on a party’s promise to improve infrastructure, create jobs, and fight corruption. If that candidate defects to a party with an opposing ideology, what happens to those promises? It leaves voters feeling deceived, rendering their votes meaningless. Without any scintilla of hyperbole, political decamping is not only an attack on voter trust but also an attack on democracy itself.

In fact, political decamping is replete with every element of swindling, even as it is selfish in nature.  This is as most political defections are not driven by ideology but by selfish gains, access to power, or protection from political persecution. Without a doubt, Nigerian politicians, in particular, have mastered the art of party-hopping to remain relevant, often without consequences. This practice erodes trust in the political system and portrays leaders as opportunists rather than statesmen committed to public service.

A classic example is the wave of defections seen after every election cycle, where elected officials jump ship to align with the ruling party, ensuring they remain in the corridors of power. This lack of political integrity makes governance a mockery and turns politics into a game of survival rather than service.

Furthermore, some politicians defect because they failed to secure the benefits they expected from their original party. In such cases, their actions are motivated not by the need to serve the people but by personal ambition. Without a doubt, the political class has turned democracy into a business venture where the highest bidder determines alliances rather than genuine service to the people.

Without a doubt, there are consequences of defections on governance. This is as the ripple effect of defection is felt in governance, policy consistency, and national stability. In fact, when elected officials defect to another party, they often abandon the policies and programs they initially advocated. This results in a lack of continuity, delays in development projects, and inconsistency in governance.

Moreover, defections create unnecessary political tension. When politicians cross over to another party, they often take their loyalists along, causing divisions within both the abandoned and the new party. The resulting factionalism leads to instability, which diverts attention from governance and development to political infighting.

This trend also discourages younger politicians and potential leaders from entering politics with integrity. When they see that politics is played without principles, they learn that the only way to survive is through deception and manipulation. This weakens democracy and creates an endless cycle of insincerity in leadership.

Given the foregoing, it is not a misnomer to opine in this context that there is need for legal consequences.  In fact, to curb this fraudulent practice, there must be strict legal frameworks that prevent elected officials from abandoning the parties on whose platforms they were elected. One possible solution is for such defectors to lose their seats and seek a fresh mandate from the electorate under their new party. This would deter opportunistic defections and restore faith in the electoral process.

Despite Nigeria’s constitution stipulating that any elected politician who decamps to another party must vacate his or her seat, this provision is often disregarded, undermining democratic principles and accountability. The blatant disregard for this law has turned party defection into a political strategy rather than an exception, eroding the trust of the electorate. To uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy, there is an urgent need for the strict enforcement of this constitutional provision, ensuring that political officeholders remain accountable to the party and the voters who elected them. The judiciary and relevant authorities must take decisive action to curb this abuse, reinforcing the rule of law and discouraging opportunistic defections that destabilize governance.

The point cannot be missed that advocacies and suggestions have been made toward strengthening anti-defection laws in Nigeria, but such recommendations have been largely ignored. Until there are real consequences, such as immediate removal from office, politicians will continue treating the electoral process with disdain. In fact, strengthening electoral laws to prohibit party-switching within a given period after an election would be a good first step.

Another approach is to introduce penalties such as forfeiture of political privileges, exclusion from future elections for a specified period, or requiring defectors to refund a portion of the campaign funds received from the original party. This would discourage politicians from jumping ship for selfish gains.

In a similar vein, the role of voters in stopping political defections. This is as while legal measures are important, voters also have a crucial role to play in stopping this trend. Electorates must be more discerning when choosing their leaders and hold them accountable when they betray their trust. Civil society organizations and media platforms should continue to expose politicians who defect for personal gain, ensuring they face public scrutiny.

Additionally, political parties must strengthen internal democracy to ensure that party members remain loyal. Parties should establish clear guidelines and disciplinary measures to deter defections. A strong internal system will make it harder for politicians to leave for opportunistic reasons.

Not only that, voters must also reject defectors at the polls. When politicians know that switching parties will cost them their seats in the next election, they will think twice before betraying their party and supporters. In fact, public enlightenment campaigns should be launched to educate citizens about the dangers of political defection and the need to vote based on character and integrity rather than party labels.

Without a doubt, Nigeria’s democracy cannot thrive when politicians treat party loyalty as a mere stepping stone to power. The act of defecting from one party to another after securing victory is a political scam that robs the electorate of their voice. Until there is accountability for such betrayals, the cycle of deception will persist, eroding the credibility of governance and democracy.

The government, civil society, and citizens must come together to demand electoral reforms that will ensure political mandates are respected and upheld. Laws should be enforced to penalize defectors, and voters should be more proactive in rejecting such politicians. Only through collective efforts can we build a political culture rooted in integrity, accountability, and genuine service to the people. Anything short of this will continue to make a mockery of democracy and the principles of good governance.