A quick look into the somewhat long list of decampees might tell the story. Among prominent decampees are Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Audu Ogbeh , Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Hajiya Najatu Mohammed , Madam Titi Ajanaku , Senator Florence Ita Giwa , Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba , Late Chief Chuba Okadigbo , Late Chief Harry Marshall , Mr. Boni Haruna , Chief Joshua Dariye, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Dr. Chris Ngigie , Dr. Usman Bugaje, Senator Joseph Waku to mention but a few. More recently are the following political bigwigs in who Nigeria have decamped to the current ruling party, APC; Atiku Abubarkar, Rotimi Amaechi, Bukola Saraki, Alao Akala, and now, Musiliu Obanikoro
Incessant cross-carpeting more than anything demonstrates absence of a clear-cut political ideology among decampees in particular, and the nation’s political chessboard generally. The game-plan in Nigeria’s politics is to move to where the money and power is, and as soon as the pot is dry, they form another one, or join an existing one to deceive the seemingly gullible populace. The people, after voting for them in the new party, eventually often cry foul after four years. Indeed, political ‘prostitution’ has, over the years, been elevated over and above ideology-driven politics unlike in the first Republic when the nation’s political turf was characterized by principles and discernable ideology-based politics. It is very difficult to point at any politician, or political party, whose ideology can be identified even by the blind, and known to have stood the test of time.
He needed to salvage two things; himself from going to prison, and his political career. By now, though anything is possible, it is crystal clear that APC has firm hold on Lagos, and will not lose its grip anytime soon. What has Obanikoro been looking for, you may ask? Perhaps he has a penchant for parties at the federal level. This ‘political prostitution’ is an apparent failure of the Nigerian political system, and more importantly, a show of shame and copious selfishness on the part of Nigerian politicians. If decamping in the Nigerian polity is based on selflessness, the country would have become so much better for it. Parties would have seen the need to keep their prized politicians by offering them the opportunity to really serve the people.
Politics is a game of numbers, and those that play it are seemingly shameless when it comes to cross-carpeting. There is no party in Nigeria that has ever rejected any politician based on integrity, and or ideology. There would always be something symbiotic between the party and politician, whether prodigal or new. Atiku was always moving around apparently because he couldn’t resist the quest for the power of the president. He had been very close to it as the vice president, even though Obasanjo, according to reports, had to powerfully checkmate him.
The quest for power and money seem to be what is driving the average Nigerian politician. The masses are the ones always at a loss. Once the politicians start making their promises and money starts talking, the thought of the four-year suffering that will follow the campaign money-spraying spree won’t be remembered.
Now, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has said, “With Obanikoro now in APC, the next big fish we are expecting in APC is Chief Bode George. He is coming to join us very soon, to join APC in helping to transform Lagos State into Dubai of Africa.” This was the same Bode George that was sent to prison for corruption related offenses. Politicians always have the back of fellow politicians once they are in their party. They are, however enemies if in another party. Their mission, after all seem to be the same –Selfish moneymaking. Femi Fani-Kayode decamped to the PDP, and suddenly he started singing the praises of Jonathan. Nigeria, we hail thee!
A quick look into the somewhat long list of decampees might tell the story. Among prominent decampees are Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, Chief Audu Ogbeh , Alhaji Abubakar Rimi, Alhaji Lawal Kaita, Hajiya Najatu Mohammed , Madam Titi Ajanaku , Senator Florence Ita Giwa , Alhaji Ghali Umar Na’abba , Late Chief Chuba Okadigbo , Late Chief Harry Marshall , Mr. Boni Haruna , Chief Joshua Dariye, Senator Kabiru Gaya, Dr. Chris Ngigie , Dr. Usman Bugaje, Senator Joseph Waku to mention but a few. More recently are the following political bigwigs in who Nigeria have decamped to the current ruling party, APC; Atiku Abubarkar, Rotimi Amaechi, Bukola Saraki, Alao Akala, and now, Musiliu Obanikoro
Incessant cross-carpeting more than anything demonstrates absence of a clear-cut political ideology among decampees in particular, and the nation’s political chessboard generally. The game-plan in Nigeria’s politics is to move to where the money and power is, and as soon as the pot is dry, they form another one, or join an existing one to deceive the seemingly gullible populace. The people, after voting for them in the new party, eventually often cry foul after four years. Indeed, political ‘prostitution’ has, over the years, been elevated over and above ideology-driven politics unlike in the first Republic when the nation’s political turf was characterized by principles and discernable ideology-based politics. It is very difficult to point at any politician, or political party, whose ideology can be identified even by the blind, and known to have stood the test of time.
He needed to salvage two things; himself from going to prison, and his political career. By now, though anything is possible, it is crystal clear that APC has firm hold on Lagos, and will not lose its grip anytime soon. What has Obanikoro been looking for, you may ask? Perhaps he has a penchant for parties at the federal level. This ‘political prostitution’ is an apparent failure of the Nigerian political system, and more importantly, a show of shame and copious selfishness on the part of Nigerian politicians. If decamping in the Nigerian polity is based on selflessness, the country would have become so much better for it. Parties would have seen the need to keep their prized politicians by offering them the opportunity to really serve the people.
Politics is a game of numbers, and those that play it are seemingly shameless when it comes to cross-carpeting. There is no party in Nigeria that has ever rejected any politician based on integrity, and or ideology. There would always be something symbiotic between the party and politician, whether prodigal or new. Atiku was always moving around apparently because he couldn’t resist the quest for the power of the president. He had been very close to it as the vice president, even though Obasanjo, according to reports, had to powerfully checkmate him.
The quest for power and money seem to be what is driving the average Nigerian politician. The masses are the ones always at a loss. Once the politicians start making their promises and money starts talking, the thought of the four-year suffering that will follow the campaign money-spraying spree won’t be remembered.
Now, the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State has said, “With Obanikoro now in APC, the next big fish we are expecting in APC is Chief Bode George. He is coming to join us very soon, to join APC in helping to transform Lagos State into Dubai of Africa.” This was the same Bode George that was sent to prison for corruption related offenses. Politicians always have the back of fellow politicians once they are in their party. They are, however enemies if in another party. Their mission, after all seem to be the same –Selfish moneymaking. Femi Fani-Kayode decamped to the PDP, and suddenly he started singing the praises of Jonathan. Nigeria, we hail thee!