Phone-in radio callers in Calabar have called on the National Assembly to enact laws that will deter elected political office holders from defecting to other parties after winning elections on a particular political platform.
Their demand was echoed by a Notary Public and Director-General of Good Governance Advocacy International, Barrister Leonard Anyogo, who said such politicians should automatically lose their seats upon defection.
The callers made their views known during early morning phone-in programmes aired on Sparkling FM and FAD FM, while Barrister Anyogo spoke in an interview with DAILY POST.
Two of the callers, Mrs. Tina Akpan, a teacher, and Mr. Jim Ete, a social worker, said incessant defections have weakened opposition parties and eroded democratic competition.
Mrs. Akpan warned that the trend was steering Nigeria toward a one-party system where the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would dominate and govern without effective checks.
“We’re facing a dangerous situation,” she said. “When the ruling party becomes too powerful, it turns dictatorial and authoritarian. This is no longer a democracy that guarantees free speech and association.”
Ete added that continuous defections would deny voters real alternatives during elections.
He alleged that the ruling party often lures or pressures politicians to switch allegiance, thereby stifling opposition.
In his remarks, Anyogo stressed the need to amend existing laws to ensure that elected officials who defect automatically vacate their offices.
“It is highly desirable that our laws be amended to make politicians lose their seats if defection occurs,” he said.
“However, politically speaking, it is still the electorate who determine who gets elected or re-elected, as defection does not guarantee victory.”
He also urged the new INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to uphold transparency and credibility in future elections, noting that Nigerians are increasingly voting for individuals rather than political parties.
