2015: Beyond the defections

Nigerian politics has come a long way. In the past defectors who crossed party lines for whatever reason were viewed as a detestable subset of the political class. They were often denigrated as desperate people who stood for nothing and would flee a sinking ship at the fight sight of water.

These days the defector is king. He is courted by even presidents as Goodluck Jonathan did not so long ago when he led a colourful rally in Sokoto to welcome serial defector, former Governor Attahiru Baffarawa into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

All parties are in on the act. The All Progressives Congress (APC) was the major beneficiary of the first wave of defections last year. But it is now crying foul that the eventual destination of potential carpet-crossers is being determined with generous cash inducements by the PDP.

As though the whiff of the scandalous that trails them wherever they turn were not bad enough, a comical turn was introduced into the matter not too long ago. Former FCT Minister, General Jeremiah Useni, who heads the Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) miffed that his party had lost one of its few national legislators went public to correct certain wrong impressions.

He said the instruction given to the representative by the party was actually to defect to the PDP! Apparently, the man got things mixed up and landed in APC. So far there’s no indication that he’s retraced his steps.

It is tragic that as we head for 2015 the basis on which political parties would be asking us to vote is how many defectors they managed to attract into their ranks. Although I believe that individuals should be allowed to freely join and freely depart any party or organization, many of those who are fleeting from place to place are not doing so for any firm convictions.

In most instances the reasons are as pedestrian as ‘I wasn’t made head of the party in my state’ or ‘I was denied ticket for some election.’ In the end when their personal quest fails they, without any sense of shame, quickly return to their vomit.

I was reading about a couple of politicians in Imo State apparently afflicted by the wandering disease. They had been in APC but now have seen the light and are set to be received with fanfare by President Jonathan. Just trying to make sense of how many times two of them have switched parties makes me dizzy.

There’s a lie that has been sold to the public for too long. It claims that Nigerians don’t bother with issues when they vote. Nothing can be farther from the truth. I know of incumbents who were punished by voters for their appalling record whilst in office.

The electorate will focus on those things we prioritise. A celebration of defectors is not a game that will do the parties – especially the opposition much good. They must begin to focus like a laser on Jonathan’s record in office. Anything short will allow the other side to define them in those terms that play to our primordial and emotional weaknesses.