Benue State University, Makurdi

Party Defection and Good Governance in Nigeria

Eberechukwu Faith Obani

Abstract

The political landscape of every society is polarized based on prevailing groups and interests of the people or the political contenders. Sometimes government entangles itself in such contentions and the contenders capitalize on this to lay claim on power. Many governments have failed in their responsibilities toward the masses but have engaged in alignment and re-alignment of groups/forces in order to get hold on power. The paper therefore, looks at party defection and good governance in Nigeria. It is guided by one research question: can good governance be achieved through party defection? The paper adopts group theory as theoretical framework of analysis and argues that defection in Nigeria is driven by economic materialism and the need to remain close to the corridors of power. The group that controls the government at the center embarks on policies and appointments that will benefit the members of its group. While the displaced group re-align or join the moving train to avoid prosecution, get contracts, appointment and so on. In the struggle, the masses are not captured in the picture; their welfare and other functions of government are left undone. The paper concludes that seeking selfish rewards or the satisfaction of personal interest rather than to meet the needs of the masses and development of the polity forms the basis of rampant party defections among political gladiators in Nigeria. The paper therefore, recommends that the people should use their votes wisely and understand that these politicians enrich themselves through their activities. Again, constitutional provision for defection should be re-visited in order to nurture and sustain our nascent democracy.

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