Gale Of Defections Could Kill Nigeria’s Democracy – Group

A group, International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has expressed concern over what it called the gale of defections by politicians, saying the development could kill the nation’s democracy.

In a statement entitled, ‘Defections as funeral ceremony of democracy and good governance in Nigeria, signed by its chairman, Emeka Umeagbalasi, the society said: “It troubles and saddens our heart that democracy and good governance built on mandatory fulfillment of social contract obligations by elected and appointed public office holders are not only threatened and endangered but are also witnessing funeral ceremonies through maddening and reckless defections.

“Defection is the oddest side of parliamentary cross-carpeting and the greatest threat to party politics founded on ideology. We have watched with total dismay the reckless abandon with which the Nigerian democracy is threatened and bastardised by anti-democratic forces and elements wearing the garb of political actors and institutions.

“Apart from structural and cultural decimation terminally suffered by the country’s democracy, especially since June 2015, it is further passing through funeral ceremonies in the hands of anti-democratic elements parading themselves as serving governors, federal legislators or ministers of the federal republic or former public office holders.”