In Nigeria today, the practice of jumping from one political party to another in pursuit of personal ambition has become not just commonplace, but almost celebrated. The notion of ideological identity, once a hallmark of serious political engagement, has all but vanished. Terms like "Liberal," "Progressive," "Conservative," or "Socialist" no longer carry any real meaning in our political discourse. Politicians merely use party platforms as vehicles of convenience, abandoning them at will when their personal ambitions are threatened.
Rather than submit to the outcome of democratic primaries, many simply defect, shopping for alternative platforms that will grant them the opportunity to remain politically relevant. This fluidity, or more aptly, opportunism, speaks to a deeper crisis: the absence of conviction, of vision, and of loyalty—not to parties, but to the people.
It was not always like this. A look into Nigeria’s political history reveals a time when ideology mattered, when leaders walked away from power rather than compromise on core principles.
In the First Republic, Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Action Group (AG) attempted to form an alliance with Sir Ahmadu Bello of the Northern People’s Congress (NPC). The negotiations broke down primarily because of Awolowo’s insistence on implementing his progressive agenda: free education at all levels and free healthcare for the underprivileged. Bello and his allies refused, and Awolowo chose to walk away rather than betray the very ideas that brought him into politics.
The NPC later turned to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), who agreed to an alliance. As compensation, he was offered the ceremonial role of President, while Tafawa Balewa assumed the more powerful position of Prime Minister.
The same scenario replayed itself during the Second Republic. Awolowo, now leading the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), once again pushed his agenda of free education and healthcare in negotiations with the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN), led by Alhaji Shehu Shagari. Again, the talks collapsed when the NPN refused to adopt his policies. Awolowo walked away.
Predictably, the NPN sought another alliance, this time with Azikiwe’s Nigerian People's Party (NPP). That union led to the infamous "Accord Concordiale," a compromise that handed a few ministerial posts to the NPP but offered little in terms of ideological alignment or national vision.
Chief Awolowo’s consistency and unwavering commitment to the common good earned him enduring respect. Just before his passing, Dan Agbese of Newswatch magazine wrote that Awolowo would be remembered as the best president Nigeria never had. Upon his death, the Ikemba of Nnewi, Odumegwu Ojukwu, echoed that sentiment. Awolowo’s legacy, many years later, remains unmatched because he stood for something bigger than himself.
That is the essence of principled leadership: standing firm on convictions, even when the path of compromise appears easier. Awolowo never entered into any coalition without insisting on his core policies. It was never about securing power for himself or rewarding political loyalists; it was about delivering real value to the people.
Today, that kind of leadership is sorely missing in our politics. What we see instead is an unrelenting scramble for power, devoid of purpose, philosophy, or integrity.
Let the opportunists dance naked. Perhaps, in doing so, they will expose not just themselves, but the structural hollowness of our current political culture. And maybe—just maybe—that that spectacle will serve as a deterrent to others who think politics is a game to be played without conscience.
March 16, 2022
