Defection seems to be the latest trend in the political space of Federal Republic of Nigeria, even as the nation prepares for the forthcoming 2019 general elections. Alignment and realignment of federal lawmakers, state governors, state lawmakers, and local government officials envelop the political atmosphere.

The question that comes to mind is, what exactly is the reason for the gale of defections in such a time like this? National, State or personal interest?

Of course, our political gladiators are not defecting as a result of government’s inability to pay salaries, poor infrastructure, bad railway network, collapse of the nation's economy, high rate of unemployment, high inflation, falling standard of education, collapse of healthcare services, to mention a few.

But the defection from one political party to another presently going on within the ruling class is mainly for personal aggrandizement. Most of the recent defectors have falling out of favour with their respective home party structure, and as the saying goes, all politics are local. Also, a fraction of the nomadic politicians felt betrayed for their inability to have access to the national cake, as it was the usual practice in the time past. Others have ambition. While it is not a bad thing to be ambitious, element of desperation in any ambition makes it turned sour. Lack of clear cut ideologies on the part of political parties is also a factor for incessant defection.

Unfortunately, some of the young at heart blindly follow such self centred politicians for a mere morsel of bread, while the politicians trade with the citizens’ future. Nigerian youths have consistently played to the hands of the ruling cabal, who impose themselves on the populace against the peoples’ will. They have over the time played on the intelligence of the masses, by creating non existing division along religion affiliation, ethnicity, and sometimes play sentiment game, just to achieve their selfish desires.

However the power of the people combined is stronger and greater than the people in power. Only if all could put aside their differences, and speak with one voice against their common enemies. The political gladiators are conscious of this undisputable fact. That explains the reason while they consistently draw division lines that never exist between the people.

It is therefore expedient that the electorates wakeup from their sleep, hold their collective power in high esteem and say no to the manipulation of the enemies pretending to be friends of the nation, even as another general election draws near. Again, the power of the people is greater than the people in power.

http://www.olamilite.com/2018/07/gale-of-defections-and-power-of-people.html?m=0