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2027: Reps ‘Cage Politicians’ Ahead Of Party Primaries, Sparks Debate.
As Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections, political defections have intensified, with governors, lawmakers, and party leaders switching allegiances in what analysts describe as a strategic realignment reshaping the nation’s political landscape.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
On March 11, 2026, the House of Representatives amended the Electoral Act to criminalize dual political party membership—a move widely seen as targeting opportunistic defections ahead of the polls.
Under the amendment, violators face a N10 million fine, up to two years imprisonment, or both, while any dual party membership is considered null and void. Legal experts say this signals lawmakers’ intention to strengthen party discipline and protect voter mandates.
Legal Context and Limits
Nigeria’s Constitution already addresses defections. Section 68(1)(g) stipulates that a lawmaker who abandons the party that sponsored their election may lose their seat, except in cases of internal party disputes. The Electoral Act reinforces this, though enforcement has historically been inconsistent.
Barr. Abdulrazak Boye Folorunsho, a Minna-based lawyer, told DAILY POST, “Frequent defections weaken democratic institutions. Running from one party to another erodes opposition parties and can submerge the will of the people if laws are not enforced.” He added that while lawmakers sometimes face consequences, governors often do not, creating accountability imbalances.
Rising Wave of Defections Across States
Defections tend to spike 12–18 months before general elections as politicians reposition for advantage.
Niger State:
Adamu Tanko (Suleja/Gurara/Tafa Federal Constituency) defected from PDP to APC in March 2025, alongside former lawmaker Abdullahi Ricco. Other stakeholders also switched parties, reflecting broader political realignment. Residents expressed frustration.
Adamawa State:
In February 2026, Speaker Wesley Bathiya and 15 lawmakers left PDP for APC. Shortly after, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and key allies, including local government chairmen, followed suit, reshaping the state’s political landscape. Opposition figures criticized the moves as politically motivated.
FCT:
Senator Ireti Kingibe moved from the Labour Party to the ADC in late 2025, a move analysts described as aligning with parties offering greater federal influence.
Plateau, Rivers, Enugu, Delta, Akwa Ibom:
Governors Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), and Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom) all switched to APC between April and December 2025, consolidating ruling party influence regionally. Critics argued these defections were strategic moves for federal alignment, rather than reflecting voter preference.
Kano State:
Governor Abba Yusuf left NNPP for APC in January 2026, bringing lawmakers and local government chairmen with him—a strategic alignment ahead of elections.
Defections in the National Assembly
The Senate also witnessed defections. In March 2026, Senators Amos Yohanna (Adamawa North), Aminu Iya Abbas (Adamawa Central), and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis (Zamfara Central) moved from PDP to APC. Earlier, Senators Shuaibu Lau and Haruna Manu (Taraba) defected similarly, increasing APC’s legislative dominance ahead of 2027.
Politics Behind the Realignment
Many defections are driven by strategic negotiations and survival calculations rather than ideology. Lawmakers and governors often weigh which party offers better access to federal resources, protection from intra-party conflicts, and stronger re-election prospects. Timing often coincides with primaries or local elections.
Political analyst Dr. Dominic Alancha said, “Progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including economic reforms and increased state allocations, encouraged some governors to align with APC. Survival plays a major role.”
Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Jabi added, “Ideology is rarely the driver. Weak opposition parties leave members no choice but to switch, which voters see as a breach of trust.”
Public Reaction and Accountability Concerns
Citizens question the legitimacy of defections. Chinedu Okeke (Enugu) said, “Party switching makes politicians look opportunistic; we voted for a person, not policies.” Teni Moses (Minna) warned, “Projects promised can stall, making governance unpredictable.”
Civil society and opposition leaders also condemned defections for undermining representative democracy and weakening accountability. PDP BoT member Hon. Yahaya Ability supported the House’s move to curb defections, citing court cases like Zamfara where mandates were challenged successfully.
Dr. Mani Ibrahim Ahmed, ADC National Treasurer, argued that governors’ defections often do not reflect public support, noting intimidation and inducement as key factors.
Comparisons with Other Democracies
Countries like India enforce anti-defection laws with automatic disqualification, the UK pressures MPs to seek re-election after leaving parties, and South Africa abolished floor-crossing to protect accountability. Nigeria’s framework remains flexible, allowing survival strategies to sometimes outweigh party loyalty.
Impact on Governance and the Opposition
Unchecked defections weaken opposition, disrupt policy continuity, and reduce citizen confidence in governance. Analysts warn repeated party switching can stall development projects, disrupt local administration, and consolidate ruling-party dominance.
Looking Ahead to 2027
As the 2027 elections approach, defections are expected to accelerate. Governors seeking second terms, lawmakers aiming for higher office, and party leaders calculating influence are strategically repositioning. Weak party ideology, legal loopholes, and electoral calculations continue to drive political behavior.
The Electoral Act amendment represents a key test of whether the law can curb opportunistic defections or if political survival will continue to dominate Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Bamidele Kehinde, Director of Dynamic Ambassadors for Social Orientation Initiatives and the City Transformation Project, has expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for its efforts in securing the release of Pastor Benjamin Egbaji, who was reportedly held in detention in the Republic of Benin for over two years under difficult conditions.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Pastor Egbaji, a Nigerian cleric, was said to have endured harsh treatment during his detention, including prolonged confinement. His release followed a presidential pardon granted by the authorities in Benin Republic under President Patrice Talon.
Speaking on News Central TV, Dr. Kehinde praised the diplomatic efforts that led to the cleric’s freedom, describing the process as lengthy and challenging. He noted that significant progress was achieved after Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu was appointed Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
He stated that although there was no personal connection or financial influence involved, the minister actively engaged Benin Republic authorities through diplomatic channels. According to him, her visit and negotiations played a key role in securing Pastor Egbaji’s release.
Dr. Kehinde also commended all individuals and institutions that contributed to the advocacy efforts, including Moses Eyo, Dickson Umu Unung, the Cross River State Government, CP Alobi Lawrence (rtd), Joseph Bisong Ayi, Blessing Harrison, Eze Sampson, and Rt. Hon. Legor Idagbo.
He said their combined efforts were instrumental in achieving the cleric’s freedom.
He added that while Egbaji’s release is a major relief, the cleric now faces the task of recovering and rebuilding his life after years of hardship. He called for continued support to help him reintegrate into society.
Dr. Kehinde also urged stronger government commitment to protecting Nigerian citizens abroad and enhancing diplomatic engagement across West Africa to prevent similar cases in the future.
The Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB) has provided an update on its ongoing nationwide recruitment exercise.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The board stated that 1,120,491 applications were successfully completed and processed, allowing candidates to proceed to the computer-based test (CBT) stage.
It also disclosed that 432,935 applications were left incomplete, while 360,923 applicants were disqualified during screening and shortlisting for failing to meet the required criteria.
In total, the recruitment exercise recorded over 1.8 million applications across the country.
The exercise covers agencies under the board, including the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and the Nigeria Correctional Service.
CDCFIB also released a breakdown of CBT performance, showing that 221,996 candidates scored between 0–40, 229,155 scored between 41–60, 278,543 scored between 61–80, while 142,697 scored between 81–100.
The recruitment process is now expected to move to the next stage, which includes physical screening and document verification. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted with details of their screening venues, dates, and required documents.
The board reiterated that the entire process is free of charge and advised applicants to rely only on official communication channels for updates, warning against misinformation and unauthorized messages circulating online.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed that its Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI conducted precise airstrikes in the Yuwe axis of the Sambisa Forest, resulting in the elimination of several terrorist elements on Monday.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, who noted that military operations in the North-East continue to maintain strong pressure on insurgent groups.
He explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence, supported by Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) activities, which identified active terrorist presence within fortified positions and underground hideouts.
According to him, NAF air platforms successfully engaged the targets using precision-guided munitions, destroying the structures, neutralising multiple terrorists, and dismantling key logistics facilities. This was later confirmed through battle damage assessments.
The statement added that sustained air operations have continued to weaken terrorist networks, disrupting their activities and forcing them into more defensive and unstable responses.
The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, also reiterated the Air Force’s commitment to maintaining continuous, intelligence-driven operations aimed at completely neutralising terrorist threats.
He further assured that the NAF remains focused on protecting its personnel, safeguarding national security, and ensuring the safety of citizens, while continuing precision operations in line with strict rules of engagement to minimise civilian impact.
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