Politics Without Loyalty: The Decamping Culture and the Death of Ideology
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“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
‘ERRATICALITY‘ with DA-SILVA
Politics Without Loyalty: The Decamping Culture and the Death of Ideology
By: Da-Silva Johnson
In any thriving democracy, political ideology is the compass that guides parties and their loyalists. It defines their values, mission, vision, and roadmap for national development. But in Nigeria, what we witness is not a battle of ideologies or service-driven alliances—it is a marketplace of political convenience, personal interest, and ever-shifting loyalty. The ongoing wave of defections, especially in the buildup to proposed political coalitions ahead of 2027, is a glaring testament to this trend.
The culture of decamping, which once drew public scrutiny and outrage, has now become normalized—even expected. Politicians hop from party to party without shame or explanation, often citing vague reasons like “internal party crises” or “a need to serve the people better.” But we all know the truth: the vast majority are driven by survival instincts, political calculations, and opportunities for power, not principle.
What is most disheartening is that many of these politicians, just months or even weeks before decamping, would have publicly condemned their new political homes. Some campaigned viciously against these very platforms they now praise. The electorate is left confused, disillusioned, and ultimately disengaged. If political actors don’t respect their own platforms, why should the people?
This instability erodes our democracy. Party manifestos are rendered meaningless. Coalitions become fragile marriages of necessity, not conviction. Political parties stop being ideological institutions and become temporary shelters in a storm of ambition.
The formation of mega coalitions, while strategically necessary to unseat dominant forces, is often not about shared values but shared desperation. And when desperation forms the foundation of political union, betrayal is inevitable. These alliances break down as quickly as they are formed, leaving the nation in political limbo and further weakening public trust.
What we need is a political reawakening—one that reintroduces virtue into our national political life. Loyalty, consistency, integrity, and a strong belief in party ideology must be restored as core values. We must ask hard questions of those who decamp: What changed? What happened to the promises made under the old party? Shouldn’t mandates be returned to the people before crossing over?
As 2027 draws near, the electorate must refuse to be pawns in a game of political musical chairs. It is time to reward politicians who stand for something—and stand by it. Our democracy can no longer afford to be defined by who joins which party next, but by who upholds virtue, vision, and values that build a better Nigeria.
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