THE NEXUS OF PARTY DEFECTIONS AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR 2019 GENERAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

DYNAMICS AND HORSE-TRADING

Abstract

The paper ascertains the nexus of political defection and its implications for 2019 general election in Nigeria: dynamics and horse-trading. The rate at which political class defects from one party to another portrays political immaturity and ideological confusion in Nigeria. The inception of democracy since 1999 ushered unprecedented hope in the political experiment and this create an opportunity for Nigeria to re-launch a new strategy towards self governance after long years of prolonged military rule. The emergence of multi-party in Nigeria’s fourth republic is a breakthrough in the democratic process for self governance. The level of self governance since 1999 raised hope of politicians and citizens to a large extent that democracy has come to take its proper place for a better tomorrow in Nigeria. The way political parties in Nigeria have gone and going as it concerns decamping does not portend good tidings on its electoral process especially the selfish desire of candidates jumping from one party to another. This activity can make or mar democratic process in these forthcoming 2019 general elections. It is on this premise that the paper examines the effect of this defection among party members; and some healthy situation towards this democratic experiment in 2019 general elections. The sixth national assembly attempts to stop this distasteful practice through Constitutional amendment, but this clause which sought to strip party members on defection did not even scale through in the second reading on the floor of the national assembly. In achieving this objective, the paper relies on descriptive analysis and recommends among others; the amendment of the constitution and electoral act to regulate the spate of party defection in Nigeria. Also social re-orientation and political education that imbibe new values and norms in the political system should be in place.