POLITICIANS AND THEIR EXUBERANCE
Trust is built with consistency
Over the years, politicians have been concerned with right or left instead of right or wrong. Political nomadism and the desperation to achieve political goals are now the order of the day. The rate at which politicians cross-carpet to and from political parties undermines the essence of the adoption of party system (as opposed to individual persons) in Nigeria.
A cursory look at the major political parties in Nigeria revealed that we are yet to evolve a political party system in its normal and distinct ideology and policy platforms with stable membership. Indiscriminate defection is on the high side. Politicians defect more frequently from one political party to another in search of greener pastures and to fulfill their always selfish interests.
With the more recent defections of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola (former Governor of Osun state) from PDP to APC, Nuhu Ribadu (the Presidential candidate of APC in the 2011 elections) from APC to PDP and the Governor of Ondo State; Olusegun Mimiko from Labour Party to PDP and Aminu Tambuwal, (Speaker House of Representatives), this political nomadism is becoming unbecoming.
Without losing sight of the fundamental right of association (Section 40 CFRN 1999 as amended), we must come to terms with the ineptitude our democracy is suffering in the light of these incessant defections. The significance of the truth has been obscured and politics no longer convey the meaning of candid and sincere service. We have seen cases of Governors and Senators defecting from the parties under which they got elected to another party. While the Constitution is silent on the implication of such acts by Governors, it prohibits out rightly, the case of members of the Senate and House of Representatives. (Section 68(1) (g) CFRN, 1999 as amended).
Although, the reason for this constitutional inequity is unknown, the fact that that part of the constitution is being manipulated in the light of interpretation. The most recent case of Aminu Tambuwal comes to mind. He would have out rightly vacated his seat but for the proviso which accompanied Section 68 (1) (g);
“Provided that his membership of the latter political party is not as a result of a division in the political party of which he was previously a member or of a merger of two or more political parties or factions by one of which he was previously sponsored.”
A distinguishing line must be drawn between politicians elected under the platform of a political party defecting into another party and politicians decamping into other parties. While the latter is a manifestation of the right Association, the latter is an idea working against the principle of party system in Nigeria.
This part of our law requires prompt attention, especially in the areas of observance and enforcement. This political promiscuity must be curtailed.
