Defections to APC can’t turn Nigeria into one-party state, says Lagos LP secretary

Sam Okpala, secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Lagos, says Nigeria’s political diversity makes it impossible for one party to dominate the system.

He spoke while reacting to the wave of defections of opposition figures into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Okpala said although the defections may create an impression that Nigeria is drifting toward a one-party structure, the country’s complexity would make that difficult.

“With the gale of defections, it may appear as if Nigeria is descending into a one-party state, but I’m convinced that Nigeria is too complex for that to happen,” NAN quoted Okpala as saying.

“Nigeria is an edifice that cannot be subjected to the whims and caprices of one political party. Opposition will still thrive.”

The LP chieftain said politicians who leave their parties for the APC do so mainly because they no longer believe they can win elections without federal backing.

He said although the constitution guarantees freedom of association, the rate of political cross-carpeting shows a lack of ideology among Nigerian politicians.

“The reason we have this is because our politics lacks principle and ideology,” he said.

“Politicians jump from one platform to another to advance their personal interests, not because they believe in the philosophy or manifesto of their new party.

“In Nigeria, political parties are largely seen as vehicles for power, not as ideological movements that reflect shared beliefs.”

Okpala said until Nigeria’s democracy matures and politicians begin to act based on conviction, defections will continue to dominate the political landscape.

Recent weeks have seen a number of governors, senators, and lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and LP join the APC.

On Tuesday, Peter Mbah, governor of Enugu, left PDP for the APC. Barely 24 hours later, Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa state, also resigned from the opposition party.

In April, Sheriff Oborevwori, governor of Delta state, defected from the PDP to the APC. In June, Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, left the PDP for the APC.