Nigeria

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

In a major move to tackle the nation’s security challenges, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of the Forest Guards of Nigeria, a new security outfit tasked with flushing out terrorists and bandits from the country’s vast woodland areas.

The President has directed the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to commence the immediate recruitment of personnel for the new force.

According to a statement by Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the guards will be assigned to secure 1,129 forests across the country.

The initiative is a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments.The President mandated that the forest guards be “well-trained and armed” to effectively carry out their primary duty of combating criminals who use the forests as hideouts for illegal activities.

The Office of the NSA and the Federal Ministry of Environment have been tasked with overseeing the full implementation of the initiative, which is expected to employ thousands of young Nigerians.

The establishment of the Forest Guards follows President Tinubu’s recent vow that his administration would not surrender any Nigerian territory to criminals, emphatically stating that the country “would take back its forests.”

By Faiza Aliyu Farouk

Leaving the comfort of home to pursue education elsewhere is a defining moment in the lives of many students. Schooling away from home means stepping into an unfamiliar world, one that is both exciting, exhilarating, yet overwhelming. It’s more than just a physical transition; it’s an emotional and psychological journey that reshapes who we are.

The moment you pack your bags and wave goodbye to the familiar walls of your family home, you begin a journey filled with uncertainty, growth, discomfort, and discovery. It exposes students to diverse cultures, ideas, and ways of life.

One of the most challenging parts of schooling away from home, according to many, is the emotional toll it takes.

Homesickness is a quiet but heavy feeling that settles in your chest in the middle of the night or while eating something bland and unfamiliar.

Research by Yugo, student accommodation provider in the university of Derby found that almost two-thirds (61%) of students aged 19 to 25 were concerned about feeling homesick when it came to moving away for the first time (The Guardian, 2024).

That number felt very real when talking to friends and classmates who admitted to crying in their hostels during the first few weeks. And yet, almost all of them pushed through and eventually found ways to cope.

The first few weeks or months away from home can be particularly tough. The excitement of a fresh start often gives way to the reality of managing day-to-day activities independently.

“I was excited but anxious,” said Fatima, a 400-level Mass Communication student at BUK. She recalls the first time she stepped foot on campus, far from the comfort of her family. “I missed the comfort, care, and familiar routine of home. I had to figure things out on my own, even when I was sick.”

There are many reasons why students leave their homes to study elsewhere. Abdulaziz, a medical student who left his hometown of Minna for Kano, said he left in pursuit of a better academic program.

“The schools back home weren’t offering the course I wanted to study.” Meanwhile, Alhassan, who left Jos for Kano, said he intentionally chose to stay far from home to gain experience.

“I wanted new perspectives and to challenge myself. While some leave for academics, others see distance as a test of independence.

Navigating environmental factors is another challenge of schooling away from home. “Having spent my life in Jos, never traveling for exposure or leisure.

Transitioning to a new setting was quite a challenge,” Alhassan said. As student routines change, so do relationships.

“Sometimes I feel distant from my family due to limited time spent with them, not because of anything else,” he added.

However, others, like Tsadu said they noticed a shift in how they were treated due to being away from home: “They respect me more now.”

Khadija, when asked what studying away from home meant for her, said, “I became my own person. I stopped relying on others to make decisions for me.”

Another student shared, “It was hard, but I needed to be away to find myself.” For others, it was about discovering their voice, taking risks, and failing without shame.

These stories are common, yet each one is uniquely powerful.

Living on campus forces students to grapple with new responsibilities. From cooking, budgeting, building community, and dealing with loneliness.

“Staying away has made me financially independent and more disciplined. I realized five thousand naira doesn’t stretch far,” Zainab admitted.

While describing the daily struggles, she said; “Staying in the hostel isn’t easy, especially when you come back from lectures hungry and there’s no water to cook. You have to fetch it first, sometimes from far away.

The issue of electricity is another challenge, we only get light for three hours at night, which is when we charge our devices and study. It’s not convenient; I just manage.”

Although the emotional impact of living away from home is often associated with students, parents also experience significant changes.

They feel the shift too. The independence is bittersweet. “I feel disturbed and unhappy but the other side of me feels good and happy while I continue to pray for him” Hajiya Hau’wa, whose son studies in Kano while the family lives in Niger said.

Aisha, a mother of a university student, said, “When she calls, complaining about school or being sick and lonely, it breaks my heart that I can’t be there. I’ve had to learn to let her go with prayers and constantly checking up on her.”

Communication becomes a lifeline. Most parents check in daily, not just to monitor progress but to maintain an emotional connection. Yet, not all students appreciate the frequent calls.

Nana, who studies accounting at Nassarawa State University said; ” Constant calls from my parents tend to be stressful. I’m trying to manage their expectations while also focusing on my studies”

Leaving the comfort of home for campus life is more than a transition. It’s a transformation. It’s about stepping into a version of yourself that only distance, responsibility and independence can bring.

It’s where growth happens. You learn to stand on your own, make your own choices and live with the outcome.

There will be days of loneliness, moments of doubt, and nights when home feels like a world away. But there will also be victories. Big and small that will build your confidence.

Faiza Aliyu Farouk is a 400-level Mass Communication student at Bayero University Kano (BUK).

By Muhammad Umar Shehu

As Nigeria clocks 65 years of independence, one would expect a moment of pride and reflection on remarkable achievements. Yet, the reality on the ground tells a different story. 

The country continues to struggle with corruption, poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, and a range of other social issues. These issues cut deep into the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians, making access to basic necessities and opportunities for growth a constant struggle.

For many citizens, there is little reason to roll out the drums. Independence anniversaries are usually a time for celebration, but how can we truly celebrate when millions remain jobless, when insecurity still holds communities hostage, when hospitals lack basic equipment, and when roads remain death traps? The weight of these problems overshadows whatever progress has been made.

This does not mean Nigeria has no potential or that the sacrifices of our founding fathers should be ignored. Leaders like Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who gave Nigeria a voice of dignity on the global stage, or the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, who worked to strengthen education and unity in the North, envisioned a better future for this country. 

Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy in the West and Chief MKO Abiola’s ultimate sacrifice for democracy remain powerful reminders of what true leadership and patriotism demand. These men stood for a Nigeria that could rise above selfishness and mediocrity.

But after 65 years, Nigerians deserve more than repeated promises and underdevelopment. We deserve a country where leadership prioritises people, where accountability is more than just a slogan, and where citizens can genuinely take pride in the flag they carry.

So, if there is something worth celebrating at 65, perhaps it is the resilience of Nigerians themselves —the spirit that refuses to give up despite everything. Beyond that, the truth is clear: the road ahead requires serious action, not mere rhetoric.

May Nigeria succeed and prosper. Amin.

Muhammad Umar Shehu, who wrote from Gombe, can be reached via umarmuhammadshehu2@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the worst of the country’s economic challenges are behind them, saying the nation has “finally turned the corner.”

In a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, Tinubu admitted that his economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of exchange rates, brought temporary hardship.

However, he defended the policies as crucial to saving the country from what he described as a “near-collapsed economy” and “economic chaos.”

“The worst is over, I say. Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief,” the President declared from the Presidential Villa.

He praised Nigerians for their patience, resilience, and support during the difficult period.

Tinubu used the address to present what he described as his administration’s progress report, outlining 12 key milestones achieved since May 2023.

He cited recent economic growth of 4.23 percent in the second quarter of 2025, the fastest in four years.

Inflation, he said, had eased to 20.12 percent in August, the lowest in three years, while external reserves had climbed to $42.03 billion, the highest since 2019.

Other achievements highlighted include a ₦7.46 trillion trade surplus, improved oil production at 1.68 million barrels per day compared to under one million in 2023, and the stabilisation of the naira, with the gap between official and parallel market rates narrowing significantly.

On security, the President praised the armed forces for “making significant sacrifices to keep us safe,” noting that peace was gradually returning to previously troubled communities in the North-East and North-West.

He also addressed the youth, pointing to programs such as the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), which has disbursed ₦99.5 billion, and the YouthCred initiative for corps members.

“We will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high,” he assured.Tinubu called on Nigerians to embrace a culture of production rather than consumption, urging citizens to farm the land, build factories, and support made-in-Nigeria goods.

“Let us be a nation of producers, not just consumers,” he said.

The President closed his address on a hopeful note, expressing confidence in a “new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria.”

He declared that with divine guidance, the nation’s brighter future had already begun.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of three new heads for federal agencies in a move aimed at strengthening key sectors and institutions across Nigeria.

The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The President tasked the new appointees to contribute their expertise to the development of their respective agencies for the good of the nation.

In the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), President Tinubu has appointed Bello Bawa Bwari from Niger State as the new Director-General.

His appointment is for an initial term of four years, effective from September 18, 2025, and is in accordance with the provisions of the National Biosafety Management Agency Act, 2015.

For the Investment and Securities Tribunal, Hon. Barrister Aminu Junaidu of Zamfara State has been appointed as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

He is set to serve a five-year term, which also began on September 18, 2025.Similarly, the President approved the appointment of Olayiwola Nurudeen Awakan as the new Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC).

His initial four-year term took effect earlier, on September 2, 2025.

The Presidency stated that these appointments underscore President Tinubu’s commitment to repositioning strategic institutions for greater efficiency and impact.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Academic and non-academic activities in Nuhu Bamalli polytechnics are set to be paralyzed as staff unions have declared an indefinite strike, effective Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

The decision was reached following a meeting between the unions and government officials.

According to the unions, while the Permanent Secretary, acting on behalf of the State Commission, appealed for patience, he also indicated that the Governor had given an implied approval to their key demands, including the implementation of a new Polytechnic Salary Structure.

However, the unions unanimously resolved to withdraw their services until this approval is officially and formally granted by the Governor Uba Sani.

In a statement, the union leadership referenced a prior mandate from its Congress, which authorized an indefinite strike if the new salary structure was not implemented after the payment of the September 2025 salaries.

“In line with that mandate, and with the permission of the Congress, I hereby declare an indefinite strike effective from tomorrow, Tuesday, 30th September, 2025,” the statement read.

The declaration ended with the solidarity phrases: “An injury to one is an injury to all. Solidarity forever.”

The strike is expected to bring all academic and administrative operations within the affected polytechnics to a complete halt.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has handed the Federal Government a 14-day ultimatum to resolve long-standing issues affecting Nigeria’s university system.

The decision followed a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

In a statement signed by the union’s national president, Prof. Chris Piwuna, ASUU criticized what it described as government neglect and persistent refusal to meet its demands.

“At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands,” the statement read.

The union warned that failure by the Federal Government to take action within two weeks could force it to embark on industrial action.

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike,” Prof. Piwuna said.

It will be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Education had set up a committee, chaired by the ministry’s permanent secretary Abel Enitan, to review ASUU’s proposals.

As of the time of this report, the committee has not communicated any outcome publicly.

ASUU’s major demands include the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, provision of revitalisation funds for universities, payment of outstanding salary arrears, and a sustainable system of funding tertiary education in Nigeria.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Intelligence agencies from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are preparing to publicly identify high-ranking Nigerian politicians they accuse of supporting militant groups terrorizing Nigeria.

According to a report from the German news agency DW, these foreign agencies have already compiled the names of politicians allegedly involved in financing militants and selling them weapons.

The report further stated that some of these individuals have already been arrested, and investigations into their activities are underway.

For decades, Nigeria has struggled with severe insecurity, often accompanied by allegations that politicians are secretly sponsoring the very armed groups destabilizing the country.

Echoing these long-standing concerns, the Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, claimed in May that some politicians and even members of the armed forces act as informants and collaborators for Boko Haram insurgents.

This potential exposure aligns with a vow made in August by Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who promised to reveal the identities of those supporting terrorism.

However, General Musa noted that the process has been delayed by “legal issues” and “international connections,” despite years of public pressure to name the financiers.

By Khalid Imam

Today, it is undeniable that only a handful of Nigerian workers’ unions genuinely care about or operate in the overall interest of their collective members without brazenly exploiting (or, if you like, say, robbing) their loyal members, who pay through their skin all union dues monthly, year in and year out. The leadership of these seemingly monopolistic and rigid unions often lives flamboyantly, like kings, in the public glare at the expense of their poorly paid or oppressed members. Mostly, we only hear the phrase “injury to one, injury to all” as a slogan, drummed up by greedy leadership when it fits their vested interests, not those of dutiful Nigerian workers. 

For instance, I have been paying NUT/ASSU dues nonstop for over 20 years now without any appreciable benefits – no workshops, nothing. Despite formally withdrawing my membership, along with other colleagues, our deductions continue to this day by the said self-serving unions, which have been overseeing the collapse of the education system for decades. This lack of freedom to associate or not, plus serious issues of accountability, raises many questions about unions’ purpose and continued relevance in the fast-changing world and strategic economic competitions and innovations we are witnessing, as Nigerians, in other sane nations now strategising to lead in industrialisation, investment, technology, and science, especially in artificial intelligence and artificial super intelligence.

One may ask: Are unions advocating for their members’ rights and welfare, or are they simply enriching only the vultures parading as their leaders? The answers to these questions are evident. Now more than ever before, Nigeria requires a radical systemic overhaul of the whole labour union system and operation, to ensure even unions and the country are rescued from the hawks called labour union leaders, if indeed the unions are to serve their foundation purposes – protecting members’ welfare, etc and helping to develop our betrayed and badly raped country, not enriching insatiable individuals living extravagantly unchecked.

Without genuine reform, unions like those fighting the Dangote Refinery now may continue to hold the entire country hostage. Patriotic Nigerian unionists must wake up from their docility to fight to save our unions. Subjecting all labour unions to public scrutiny should be our collective duty as citizens. Now, if any union with strategic responsibility fails to innovate, it should not blame anyone when it risks losing credibility and relevance in the scheme of things.

We must resist any attempt by any union to insist that Nigeria must live in the past, or Nigerians will continue to suffer in long queues buying fuel at a high cost. The world is fast-changing and innovating; the earlier our so-called labour unions wake up to these realities, the better. Change can’t wait for anyone, and Nigeria must reform to develop.

My sincere advice to serious investors like Dangote is that they should refrain from engaging in verbal battles or heated exchanges with PENGASSAN, etc., and instead focus on effectively mitigating their excesses by boldly advocating for a comprehensive overhaul of trade union laws in the country. There is no harm in pushing for new legislative bills or fighting hard in courtrooms to silence corrupt union leaders shouting about workers’ rights to join unions, all in the pretence of saving Nigerian workers from enslavement. Who is enslaving employees in the real sense: the oligarchy that hijacked the unions or employers striving to create more jobs for our teeming jobless youths while contributing billions to our national treasury? Aren’t most domestic union leaders, in some cases, in the forefront of enslaving Nigerian workers by living lavish lives with their union’s funds?

Yes, let there be unions, but not exploitative and monopolistic ones. I repeat, let there be unions, but not ones that block the country from progressive developments and innovative transformations, like the one we have witnessed with the arrival of the Dangote Refinery. Flexible labour union laws are the water and fertilisers Nigeria needs now. The Dangote refinery represents a significant step forward not only for Nigeria’s economic growth and development but also for Africa as a whole. Unions should support such initiatives rather than hindering them with outdated and rigid labour market laws.

At a time in the US President Trump, was and still woos American tech giant investors like the owner of Facebook to the White House to discuss the future of America, as a Nigerian with Nigeria first in my heart, I urge my President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to act as a strategic leader he has been since his days as governor of Lagos state. The President, more than any other person, now has an onerous duty not to allow unionists to prostrate national heroes like Dangote.

PBAT must, in the overall interest of present and future generations of Nigerians, wade in to champion flexible labour union market reforms. This is the best time, presenting him with a rare opportunity to put Nigeria first and attract numerous patriotic investments, not just from visionaries like Dangote, but from both domestic and international investors. Clinging to outdated and rigid labour laws is detrimental to our economy both now and in the future.

The flexibility of labour laws in countries like Germany and China has contributed to their economic stability and China’s soaring dominance amidst global competition. Nigeria should draw valuable lessons from these nations rather than adhering to outdated British-style labour laws that have hindered the UK’s economy from soaring like an eagle.

Finally, I invite all patriotic Nigerians to reject exploitative and monopolistic unions. Dangote is a national asset! His refinery is also a national asset. Dangote, too, must put Nigeria first, always. We have a duty to protect both Dangote and his refinery from vultures who have held our country captive for decades. May God bless Nigeria, Dangote, and his Refinery. Amin.

Imam is a Kano-based published writer of over two dozen books, a teacher, and an Art Administrator. He can be reached via email at khalidimam2002@gmail.com.

By Abdulrahman M. Abu-Yaman 

The title race is between two horses and a little horse that needs milk and needs to learn how to jump. –  Jose Mourinho

When the controversial Jose Mourinho made this statement above, it was about football and the race to the Premier League title in 2014, but we never knew a time would come when it would be more suitable to fit into the Nigerian political context as it relates to the switch and frequent change of allegiance from one political party to another.

THE FIRST HORSE

The first horse, being the All Progressives Congress (APC), is the current defending champion in political power and the acclaimed favourite to retain the presidential title going into 2027, based on the power and influence that come with being an incumbent leader in Nigeria. Only once has it occurred since the fourth republic that an incumbent was defeated, and even that took what some have tagged as a miracle when President Jonathan made the famous call to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari (of blessed memory) and conceded. 

This horse has taken on different forms over the years and has been given various names by the political power brokers who have bet on it to win. Part of its defunct origin was the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), formed in 1998, a year before the fourth republic general elections. However, its popularity was quite limited to the northern part of Nigeria, not as pronounced in other regions of the country. Former President Muhammadu Buhari had contested twice and lost under the ANPP in 2003 and 2007, respectively.

Another major segment of its primordial origins emerged from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which was formed in 2006. It was formerly known as the Action Congress, which in turn was formed from the merger of its factions with minor political parties, including the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Justice Party (JP), and the Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD), among others.

Then came the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), founded in 2009. It gained significant influence due to the impact of late Muhammadu Buhari and his millions of supporters in the northern part of Nigeria, who contested under the party’s platform in the 2011 elections. 

In 2013, the progressives and congresses in some major political parties with these words present in their acronym merged into one; the Action Congress of Nigeria, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), a faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance and finally, the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) – the most formidable opposition group as a party in Nigeria since the return to democracy in 1999 to unseat any incumbent President in power.

THE SECOND HORSE(S)

The second horse(s) in the race are obviously divided and sharing that position based on recent trajectories and events that had left one of the horses deemed as second favourite to crumble and hanging on a thin thread; speaking of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), as long as it still has time to regroup and put its house in order, it cannot be ruled out of the race based on its political structure long established that cuts across all states in Nigeria.

The PDP was formed in 1998, in the twilight leading up to the 1999 general elections, by a group of political bigwigs who adopted Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, a former military head of state and a prisoner released from the dungeon after the end of the Abacha era. Obasanjo, coming from the south-west region of the country, was seen by many as the best candidate to step into what would have been Chief MKO Abiola’s rightful position as winner of the annulled June 12 elections if he had lived up to 1999 but for his sad and shocking demise in 1998.

The PDP won the 1999 election by a majority of votes and held a majority of seats in the National Assembly. In 2003, the party continued to dominate the political space in Nigeria, growing in influence and power, albeit under some questionable electioneering processes in 2003, 2007 and 2011, respectively, having spent sixteen years in power as the ruling party. During that period, it became the largest party not only in Nigeria but also on the African continent.

However, unfortunately for the PDP, their dream of achieving the milestone of twenty years in power was cut short in 2015 when the APC, a new, formidable force energised and regrouped, ran them out of control. 

Since then, the PDP has contested twice as an opposition party and lost to the APC in 2019 and 2023, but edged them out in 2015. The PDP has also had to lose some of its members who have decamped to the APC and has since struggled to remain as firm and relevant as it once was. The only reason it occupies the second spot as a favourite is its longevity, structural base, and the influence of some stakeholders behind the corridors of power, who are still salvaging what is left to stand firm.

Moving away from the PDP, the other second favourite only came to fruition and gained traction a few months ago, orchestrated by one man, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, who initiated the movement that led to the formation of a coalition that later evolved into the political party rebranded as the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The party had been in existence before its formation in 2005 as the Alliance for Democratic Change. 

The formation of the ADC elicited mixed reactions in the Nigerian political space. While some saw it as the long-awaited vibrant opposition to challenge the incumbent party in power, others viewed it as a selfish endeavour created by those who had been bruised and pushed out of the epicentre of power, seeking to make a comeback by any means necessary. This notion was proven to be more relevant when the ADC reached out to past or aggrieved members of the APC and PDP to form part of its board and core membership from the official flag-off. 

Nevertheless, it is still considered the second favourite in the race because if history is anything to go by, just as in the words of Jesse Jackson: 

“In politics, an organised minority is a political majority”

Just as in the case of the APC, which was formed two years short of the 2015 elections and later emerged as the winner, the regrouped ADC party and its influx of new members can’t be underestimated.  

Another reason the ADC could be frontrunners could be their ability to capitalise on the harsh economic realities in the country that have affected the masses and present the party as an alternative to better their welfare, just as the same members of the ADC did way back in 2015 when they were members of the APC, which they now want to substitute out of power. 

THE LITTLE HORSE IN THE RACE

The little horse that needs milk to learn how to jump is the Labour Party (LP). It was also driven and triggered to relevance in the 2023 general elections due to the influence of one man, specifically Peter Obi, who was spoken of as the party’s flag bearer. The LP not only defeated the APC in their own stronghold in Lagos but also defeated the ruling party in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria’s capital and centre of governance. It was unprecedented and sent a clear message that the LP did not just come to make up the numbers like some minority parties. 

But be that as it may, their numbers in Lagos and Abuja, coupled with the ones from the east and the Niger Delta region, were not enough to put them in second position in the race. This is why it needs to spread its wings to cover all political nooks and crannies in other regions, especially northern Nigeria, where it is yet to get a solid grip.

The recent involvement of Peter Obi with the ADC could lead to a compromise and weaken the party’s strength, as it revolves around him. One of the LP’s former spokesmen also lamented him for not doing enough as a leader and his inability to resolve the party’s internal crisis. He also raised concerns about his failure to build a strong party base to secure the mandate. 

Still, the only reason the LP is coming in third in the horse race is because of the unexpected stunt it pulled and its potential to do more if, and only if, it can capitalise on its momentum to leap ahead like other horses in the race.

THE EXODUS AND CONVENIENT SWITCH BETWEEN PARTIES 

Nigerian politics and politicians tend to switch sides to any political party that offers them a higher chance of winning. It occurred in 1999, when the PDP was formed and founded by members of various political parties. 

In 2003, as the PDP grew in strength and power, it received more members, and others had to decamp from their prior political platforms to join it. It was beginning to look like the only way to win an election was to join the party that was already winning. 

2007 and 2011 were no different as the PDP retained power in government. However, the only parties that managed to maintain some of their strongest and most popular members were the ANPP in 2003/2007, and the CPC in the 2011 general elections, when they fielded Muhammadu Buhari as their presidential candidate in the respective years.

In the buildup to the 2015 election, a massive exodus of politicians decamped from the ‘umbrella’ that had sheltered them in political office to the newly formed APC, which was gaining immense popularity, especially in the northern and western parts of Nigeria. The presidential flag bearer was a familiar figure who was contesting for the fourth and possibly his last attempt, having been persuaded to do so. The APC, like the PDP in the past, also welcomed all members from other parties, irrespective of their past reputation or allegations while in office. In the end, the party grew from being the strongest opposition to becoming the favourite to win the election, which they eventually did.

LOST OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES/IDENTITIES

When we start seeing political players decamping at will, it is time to question whether any of the political parties place a high premium on their criteria for membership in relation to their ideologies before accepting any candidate into their fold. Do politicians care any less if the party they join aligns with their manifestos and visionary blueprint for good governance and leadership?

It is beginning to look like a game of chess, with calculated moves aimed at checkmating the ultimate power in the political positions they crave. The only pawns in this game are the masses who have yet to figure out that changing their clothes to another has nothing to do with the real person behind those clothes. A stained reputation, especially in previous leadership positions, coupled with a proven track record of underperformance and incompetence, cannot be covered by new political platforms.

However, the interesting aspect of all this is the emergence of a solid opposition to keep the ruling parties on their toes. Previously, with the decline and crisis in the PDP, Nigeria was moving towards a single-party state due to the frequent switch of its members to joining the APC. It is well timed that the LED coalition, which has resolved to adopt the ADC as its political platform, includes big names like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is also a former PDP presidential aspirant. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, has also been seen and involved in some of their meetings. And for the first time since the APC’s ascension to power, they seem concerned about the growing popularity of the ADC and the threat it may pose to their hold on power. Deja vu?

Conclusively, all the parties involved in the horse race have exhibited similar symptoms of identity and ideological crisis in their consistent switch of allegiance to suit their needs. The thin line between them is getting blurrier in their actions and adoptions. Everyone is welcome to any party at any time. No litmus test, exceptional integrity, or individual evaluation criteria needed. Once you are in, all sins are forgiven, and then you are baptised as a new member. 

The ADC is not only like the APC alphabetically, but also in the content of its members and its contextual existence. The primary concern here is whether some members of the ADC could potentially break away from the party in the future, particularly in the event of any unresolved disagreement or fallout within the party. Are we to brace ourselves for another hypothetical ‘ABC’ party if it comes to that? Time is the ultimate revealer.