A legal practitioner and development advocate,Mr Jide Ologun, has attributed the growing wave of political defections in Nigeria to weak party ideology, personal ambition, and gaps in the constitutional framework regulating party loyalty.
He said many political actors abandon their parties at the slightest internal crisis because parties lack firm ideological foundations that should ordinarily bind members together.
The lawyer described the trend as a threat to democratic stability, saying that it erodes public trust and reduces politics to a platform for personal advancement rather than national service.
“Politics, by its very nature, involves conflict and competition—primarily for power, and that power is about access to and control over resources, policy direction, and governance structures.
“In an ideal system, political parties should be driven by strong ideologies that define how a country should be run—whether along capitalist, welfarist or other philosophical lines—and these beliefs should bind members together even in times of crisis.
“But what we see today is that once there is the slightest disagreement within a party, many politicians quickly abandon ship because there is no ideological glue holding them; instead, personal ambition becomes the overriding consideration,” he said.
Ologun, Fellow Institute of Leadership Coaching and Strategy, noted that the Nigerian Constitution attempted to curb defections but left critical loopholes that had been exploited over time.
“Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, clearly states that a member of the National Assembly who defects from the party that brought him or her to office should lose that seat, except where there is a division in the party.
“A similar provision exists under Section 109 for state legislators, but the major challenge has been the interpretation of what constitutes ‘division,’ and this has weakened enforcement.
“In practice, we have seen situations where defecting lawmakers retain their seats, even after legal battles up to the Supreme Court, which has effectively diluted the deterrent intent of the law,” he said.
The legal expert added that the absence of constitutional restrictions on executive defections had further worsened the situation.
“For the executive arm—president and governors—there are no constitutional provisions restricting defection, and this has encouraged a gale of cross-carpeting across the country.
“Today, we are witnessing a situation where politicians move freely from one party to another—be it from NNPP to APC, Labour Party to ADC or other platforms—primarily in search of electoral advantage.
“This fluidity is not driven by national interest or party loyalty, but by personal calculations about where their ambitions can best be realised,” he said.
Ologun said the trend reflected a deeper structural problem in Nigeria’s political system, where,according to him,public office is often seen as a gateway to economic security.
He said: “Many politicians are motivated less by service and more by what they stand to gain from holding office, and this is why they are quick to switch platforms when their current party cannot guarantee their political future.
“This explains why individuals who have held positions such as senator or governor still seek to occupy other offices, moving from one contest to another without clear ideological direction.
“The big question remains: what is attracting them so strongly to political office, and why is politics increasingly seen as the most lucrative sector of our national life?”
The lawyer stressed that governance should remain focused on citizens’ welfare, in line with constitutional provisions.
He cited Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution, which states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, noting that this responsibility transcends party lines.
According to him, good governance requires transparency, accountability, adherence to the rule of law, and equitable distribution of resources.
Ologun also expressed concern over rising public distrust in democratic institutions, particularly the judiciary and electoral system.
He noted that the huge financial outlay for elections and post-election litigation raised questions about the credibility and efficiency of the system.
“With billions of naira budgeted for elections and additional funds set aside for litigation, citizens still question the transparency and fairness of the process.
“This growing reliance on judicial intervention in electoral matters reflects a deeper crisis of confidence in our democratic institutions.
“When politicians see the system as one that can be manipulated, they are more inclined to pursue power by any available means, including frequent defections,” he said.
He urged the National Assembly to strengthen legal provisions regulating defection to promote party discipline and ideological consistency.
Ologun also called for a reorientation of political leadership toward service, citing global examples of transformational leadership.
“Leadership must be seen as service, not position. Nigeria needs leaders who are committed to building systems that uplift citizens and leave lasting legacies.
“Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Singapore have demonstrated what is possible with visionary leadership, even under challenging conditions.
“If we can refocus our politics on national interest rather than personal gain, the issue of opportunistic defections will significantly reduce,” he said.
The legal practitioner emphasised that Nigeria’s democratic future depends on restoring integrity in political practice and strengthening institutions to ensure accountability.
The news recall that some opposition leaders including that of Mr Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party Presidential Candidate and Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) had recently defected to new parties.
Some federal lawmakers also announced their defection at the House of Representatives and Senate on Tuesday.