As the delicate dance of defections continues nationwide defections continues nationwide, raising questions about motives and the future of opposition, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State yesterday attributed the frequent defection of politicians across parties in Nigeria to the absence of genuine political ideology.

The governor, a member of the opposition, whose Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform had lately been shaken to its foundation by the gale of defections from governors, lawmakers and key stakeholders to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and a paltry few to the coalition, African Democratic Congress (ADC), noted that one of the major weaknesses of Nigeria?s political structure is the lack of ideological distinction among political parties.

Makinde, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media and Chief Press Secretary, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, made this known at the public presentation of a book titled ?Omituntun?s Political Ideology of Governor Seyi Makinde? held at the State Local Government Staff Training School, Secretariat, Ibadan.

Delivering the governor?s remarks, Olanrewaju said: ?Our parties are almost indistinguishable, which is why politicians find it so easy to cross from one to another ? today PDP, tomorrow APC, next week SDP ? because there is no philosophical difference guiding them.?

Olanrewaju added that although Makinde may not have formally defined a political ideology, his consistent policies and governance style reflect a clear philosophy that distinguishes him from other leaders.

?In the U.S., you know where Republicans and Democrats stand, but here, it?s often hard to tell what a politician represents. The governor seeks to change that by making politics about impact, not power,? he said. He emphasised that Makinde?s motivation has always been to deliver tangible progress to Oyo State rather than pursue personal or political gain.

In the same vein, a member of the ruling party and huge beneficiary of the recent defections, Mohammed Muntari Dandutse, senator representing Katsina South, said political party defections undermine democracy and betray the will of Nigerians who elect their leaders in good faith.

Dandutse spoke during plenary, as the senate debated a bill seeking to repeal the Electoral Act 2022 and enact a new Electoral Bill 2025, described the proposed amendment as ?timely? and a crucial step towards building a stronger, more credible, and inclusive electoral system, arguing that without clear laws to curb political defections, the mandate and will of the people are being ?betrayed?.

?You cannot be elected on a platform and then defect without consequence. The mandate and the will of the people are being betrayed,? he said. He called on the Senate to ensure the new law addresses this issue decisively to protect the sanctity of the electoral mandate.

Dandutse further urged that local government elections be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) rather than state electoral commissions. He said doing so would ?restore credibility at the grassroots where the foundation of democracy should begin?.

The senator also called for a reduction in the number of political parties in the country, arguing that many registered parties ?exist only on paper? and ?create confusion in the electoral process. The number of political parties in Nigeria is a lot. In this electoral reform, it should not be more than 10,? he said.

But the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, sees the issue of defection differently. Explaining why senators are defecting to the APC, Akpabio said senators are joining the APC because they view President Bola Tinubu as the father of Nigeria and of all political parties.

The Senate President had led Cross River North Senator Agom Jarigbe and Senator Kaila Samaila of Bauchi North to a meeting with Tinubu at the State House in Abuja after both lawmakers defected from PDP to APC.PDP to APC.

Addressing State House correspondents after the meeting, Akpabio said the lawmakers defected out of patriotism and confidence in Tinubu?s leadership.Akpabio added that Tinubu?s economic policy reforms were responsible for the defection of the lawmakers to the APC.

?They (Jarigbe and Samaila) are Mr President?s children, and they are his supporters. The president is the father of the nation and the father of all political parties. But interestingly, they joined the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on different political platforms, but as a result of Mr President?s policies that have turned things around economically and particularly in terms of revenue generation for the nation, they found it expedient to come and join to build Nigeria. Theirs is nothing but patriotism,? he said.

MEANWHILE, amid ongoing controversies and legal hurdles, PDP has fixed Tuesday, October 28, for the screening of aspirants contesting various national offices ahead of its elective national convention.

According to a statement signed by the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, the exercise will take place at the NCOC Secretariat Conference Hall, Legacy House, Maitama, in Abuja, by 2:00 p.m. The party also scheduled the screening appeal for Thursday, October 30, at the same venue.

Fintiri further announced that Monday, October 27, has been approved as the deadline for the submission of completed Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms by all aspirants to the NCOC Secretariat. He urged all aspirants, stakeholders and members of the party to take note of the dates and comply accordingly, as preparations intensify for the convention slated for next month in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Amid mounting uncertainty ahead of the convention, northern leaders of the party have endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, as their consensus candidate for the position of National Chairman. The announcement was made on Wednesday night in Abuja by Adamawa Governor, Fintiri.

Fintiri disclosed that Turaki emerged following extensive consultations with leaders from the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that the decision reflects the zone?s collective resolve to strengthen party unity ahead of the convention.Fintiri, however, clarified that the process remains open to any aspirant who wishes to contest, stressing that consensus was reached purely in the spirit of unity.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and prominent legal scholar, is widely respected for his expertise in constitutional law, election petition litigation, international arbitration, and commercial practice. He previously served as Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, as well as Supervising Minister of Labour and Productivity under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

This is as the party?s Board of Trustees (BoT) yesterday dismissed as baseless and misleading the allegation by the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, that his signature was forged on a letter sent to INEC regarding preparations for the 2025 Elective National Convention. In a statement signed by the BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, the party?s highest advisory body described Anyanwu?s claim as ?reprehensible? and inconsistent with available records.

According to the BoT, the letter in question was jointly signed by the PDP National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, and Anyanwu on August 25, 2025, during the party?s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which was attended by governors, NEC members, and other party leaders who witnessed the process.

?It is on record that the said INEC notification letter was jointly signed by the National Chairman and the National Secretary during the 102nd NEC meeting of the PDP,? Wabara said.

The BoT further noted that following the NEC meeting, Anyanwu was inaugurated as Secretary of the Contact and Mobilisation Sub-Committee for the 2025 National Convention. In that capacity, he co-signed several official correspondences with Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who chairs the sub-committee.

?Anyanwu, in his capacity as Sub-Committee Secretary, personally signed and transmitted a letter seeking financial approval for the inaugural meeting of the sub-committee,? Wabara added.

These verifiable records, the BoT said, contradict Senator Anyanwu?s forgery claim and amount to an attempt to cast aspersions on the integrity of the party?s leadership.

Reaffirming its confidence in the PDP?s internal processes, the BoT assured members that preparations for the 2025 Elective National Convention?scheduled to hold from November 15 to 16 in Ibadan?remain on track.

Weighing in on developments in the party, former governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has said PDP is currently undergoing a natural growth phase and will bounce back stronger if the right corrective steps are taken. Ikpeazu, an ally of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, stated that the PDP must begin to innovate and do things differently, with a renewed focus on social justice.

Speaking in an interview with newsmen at his country home in Umuobiakwa, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia, the former governor explained that social justice is as vital as security, as people are often reluctant to participate in governance when they feel unfairly treated. He noted that the party began to decline when members became complacent and started taking things for granted.

?The PDP risks hitting the bottom before it can rise again if something drastic is not done,? Ikpeazu warned. He, however, advised other political parties not to celebrate PDP?s current challenges, stressing that what the party is experiencing is a natural growth pattern that could occur in any organisation.

?What is happening to the PDP today is a natural response to the growth curve,? Ikpeazu said. ?There are four phases: the growth phase, where input equals output, the phase of diminishing returns, where input no longer matches output, and eventually, decline. It?s a natural pattern that can affect any political party or organisation.

?When people feel they have not been fairly treated, they may refuse to come to the table?or do so without sincerity,? he said. ?Once we restore social justice, the PDP will begin to experience an upward swing again. If we don?t, we may have to hit the bottom before rising once more.?

In continuation of the depletion of the party, some PDP leaders, as well as members from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Action Alliance (AA) in Ondo State, have concluded plans to defect to the APC. The politicians, operating under the umbrella of Nigeria Workstation, are expected to formally join the APC on Wednesday, October 29, at the Akure City Hall.

In a statement signed by the Director of Mobilisation of Nigeria Workstation, Olutope Adebambo, the group described the mass defection as ?a major political realignment ahead of future elections.?

Among those expected to defect are the convener of the group and former PDP publicity secretary, Kennedy Ikantu Peretei, and former Akoko North-West local government chairman and SDP chieftain, Olutope Adebambo.

Others include the 2020 SDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Rachael Ajayi; former PDP Assistant State Treasurer, Blessing Ologun; and a former Special Assistant to ex-Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Omotayo Obolo (popularly known as Mitchel).

According to the statement, the Ondo State APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, alongside members of the State Executive Committee, will officially receive the defectors during the event.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is also expected to attend the ceremony, where he will ?receive the instrument of surrender? from the defectors described as strong opposition figures in the state.

The organisers added that the development marks ?the collapse of major opposition structures in Ondo State? and further consolidates the APC?s strength ahead of forthcoming elections. (The Guardian)

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