Journalist & Public Affairs Analyst
Across Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly in recent years, one practice has taken root and flourished: decamping. The mass defection of politicians from one party to another, often without ideology or explanation, has become the new normal.
Political actors now shift allegiances based not on principle, but on personal gain, relevance, and positioning. As the political season heats up, one cannot help but ask: While politicians are decamping, are the voters also decamping?
When Ideology Was King: The NEPU Legacy
To understand how far we’ve fallen, we must look back at an era when politics in northern Nigeria was built on ideology, conviction, and courage. That era was symbolized by NEPU — the Northern Elements Progressive Union.
Formed in 1950 under the visionary leadership of Mallam Aminu Kano, NEPU stood firmly for:
Anti-feudalism
Social justice
Equality for the common people (talakawa)
Economic liberation of the North’s working class
NEPU was more than a party — it was a grassroots movement that gave voice to the voiceless. It challenged colonial structures and feudal authority, even when it meant remaining unpopular. Its slogan, “Sai Talaka!”, echoed across the north as a rallying cry for dignity and fairness.
Compare that with today’s political climate, where slogans are hollow and party platforms serve only as ladders to power.
Defections Without Direction
Nowadays, a sitting governor may win under Party A and decamp to Party B within months. National Assembly members frequently switch sides, often citing “irreconcilable differences” — code for personal political survival.
In truth, today’s political parties are ideologically indistinct. Most politicians use the party that guarantees them the most favorable ticket or federal connection. Defection is rarely about disagreement with policies — it’s about strategy, money, and elections.
This culture is creating a dangerous precedent: that loyalty to the electorate is optional, and that power, not people, is the true prize.
Are the Voters Decamping?
Interestingly, while the political elite decamp in droves, the average voter tends to stay put. Many remain loyal to their parties out of regional pride, communal pressure, or long-standing identity politics.
However, voter apathy is rising. Young people especially are tuning out — they no longer see a difference between parties or trust the promises of politicians. For some, it is no longer about party loyalty — it is about disappointment fatigue.
In a few cases, voters shift allegiances for personal gain — often swayed by short-term rewards like cash or job promises. But generally, voters are watching, not migrating. They are asking questions. And many are losing faith in the system altogether.
The Cost to Our Democracy
The trend of decamping has dangerous implications:
Political instability
Erosion of party identity
Confusion among the electorate
Loss of ideological direction
Weak policy continuity
In this system, politicians are rarely held accountable. They no longer fear electoral consequences because they believe voter memory is short — and defection has no penalty.
A Call for Ideological Rebirth
NEPU’s example proves that ideological politics can exist in Nigeria, and particularly in the North. What is needed today is a revival of conviction-based leadership.
This means:
Reforming party structures to enforce discipline and internal democracy
Educating voters on party ideologies (where they exist)
Creating laws that discourage opportunistic defections
Encouraging political mentorship rooted in values, not volume
We need a generation of leaders who will choose principle over position — and a generation of voters who will reward ideas, not just influence.
Conclusion
The current wave of political decamping reveals a troubling truth: for many, politics has become a marketplace — not a mission.
If Nigeria is to reclaim its democratic path, both leaders and followers must demand a return to ideological clarity, policy-based politics, and servant leadership. Let us not forget: when politics loses ideology, democracy loses direction.
Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku is a journalist and public affairs analyst based in Lafia, Nasarawa State. He writes on politics, governance, and civic participation.
