JUST IN: Barr. Oforma Slams Political Defectors as Democracy’s Greatest Betrayers

DDM News

The Nigerian political landscape has increasingly become a theatre of betrayal, marked by an alarming trend of party defections by elected officials.

This rising pattern, described as “political adultery,” reflects a deeper crisis of disloyalty, ideological poverty, and a disregard for the electorate’s trust.

In a powerful commentary authored by legal practitioner Sam Mmadukaife Oforma Esq., the metaphor of adultery is redefined, not in the romantic sense, but as a political crime involving a breach of trust, unfaithfulness to principles, and a violation of the social contract between the people and their leaders.

According to Oforma, Nigeria’s democracy has become a marketplace where politicians trade loyalty for personal ambition.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) observes that this practice is no longer isolated but has become almost normalized across the country.

Politicians switch from one party to another without remorse or ideological justification.

They do so not in pursuit of national progress or better governance but for access to power, political survival, or selfish gains.

Notable political figures have been repeatedly cited in this trend.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has famously moved back and forth between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has shifted between PDP and APC, and now heads the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).

Governor Dave Umahi defected from PDP to APC under the guise of “national interest,” a claim many believe was a smokescreen for political advancement.

Others like Femi Fani-Kayode and Godswill Akpabio have also crossed party lines without facing serious backlash from the system or their constituencies.

These political actors leave behind broken promises, disillusioned supporters, and a democracy that groans under the weight of opportunism.

In many cases, the people who stood in long queues under sun and rain to vote are left without representation that truly reflects their mandate.

The Nigerian Constitution, particularly the 1999 Constitution (as amended), is clear on the primacy of the people in governance.

Section 14(2)(a) states, “Sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority.” Section 14(2)(b) goes further:

“The security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”

When politicians abandon their parties without consulting those who elected them, they breach this sacred trust.

They treat public office as a personal entitlement rather than a responsibility to the people.

This undermines the spirit of democracy and disrespects the will of the electorate.

Oforma argues that Nigeria’s problems, insecurity, poverty, collapsing healthcare, rising food prices, and youth unemployment, are not being addressed because leaders are preoccupied with political calculations.

Rather than staying rooted in ideology and service, they dance from party to party, chasing appointments, contracts, or the next election cycle.

The way forward, he asserts, lies with the people. Nigerians must wake up from political slumber and hold their leaders accountable.

Defectors must be confronted with hard questions: Why did you defect? What values changed? Where do your loyalties lie?

The electorate must begin to demand conviction, vision, and integrity from candidates. Popularity or party branding should no longer be the basis of votes.

The Nigerian people deserve leaders who remain faithful to the political vows they made at election time, not politicians who treat mandates as disposable assets.

This call is not just a political commentary, it is a civic charge to millions of voters. Oforma concludes with a firm declaration:

“We do not need a cheating wife again, we need faithful leaders who are committed to their political vows and the sacred call to serve.”

Indeed, Nigerians deserve better.

The call to action is clear: say NO to political adultery.

Say YES to leadership founded on character, loyalty, and the genuine interest of the people.

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