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Politics
Nigeria’s Political Defection: Power Moves, Rejection, and Battle for Credibility
Written By: Louis Odianose Pius
03 Jul 2025 02:53 PM
In the evolving landscape of Nigerian politics, defections are no longer rare events—they have become a defining feature of our democracy. From the halls of the National Assembly to state government houses, political allegiance shifts with convenience, not ideology.
The recent wave of defections, high-profile rejections, and the formation of a new political coalition—Action Democratic Alliance (ADA)—have further exposed the cracks in Nigeria’s political structure, revealing both desperation and strategic recalibration ahead of 2027.
A Coalition is Born: ADA and the Search for Relevance
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi recently teamed up to unveil the Action Democratic Alliance (ADA)—a political coalition promising to disrupt the dominance of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). In a joint statement, ADA positioned itself as “a unifying force for Nigerians tired of recycled leadership and political stagnation.”
According to Atiku, “Nigerians deserve a serious third force—one that’s not motivated by selfish ambition but by a commitment to national rebirth.”
El-Rufai, in a viral interview on Arise TV, lamented the APC-led government’s failure to curb insecurity despite ₦100 billion reportedly spent monthly on security. He stated, “What’s the point of budgeting billions if the streets remain unsafe? Nigerians are not feeling the impact.”
APC Reacts: Tinubu Camp Dismisses the Coalition
The ruling APC has downplayed the ADA’s formation, calling it “a gathering of expired politicians with no electoral weight.” A spokesperson for the party added, “These are individuals who failed within their own parties and are now seeking relevance through a coalition built on bitterness.”
The presidency has also expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s reforms will “speak for themselves by 2027”, insisting the government remains focused on real governance, not distractions.
Defections, Rejections, and Political Tensions.
One of the biggest surprises came with the defection of former Senate President David Mark to the ADA. Known for his longstanding ties with the PDP, his move signals how deep the cracks within old parties have become. Mark cited “irreconcilable differences and the hijack of internal structures” as his reason for leaving.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola—a founding member of the APC—attempted to join the ADA. However, sections of the ADC (Allied Democratic Congress), which ADA is drawing strength from, vehemently rejected his entry, citing concerns over his loyalty and previous controversial policies.
A prominent ADC faction issued a press release stating: “Aregbesola represents the old guard we are moving away from. The coalition cannot be a dumping ground for everyone dissatisfied with the APC.”
Governors Jump Ship: South-South Political Shift
In recent weeks, two notable defections occurred from the South-South region:
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Both have declared allegiance to the APC, citing the need to align with the federal government for developmental purposes. These moves have sparked mixed reactions, with critics accusing them of abandoning their mandates under pressure.
The Missing Voices—and Their Impact
Public commentators like Senator Dino Melaye and Chief Dele Momodu have weighed in. Melaye dismissed the coalition as “a recycled bunch of politicians switching uniforms,” while Momodu questioned the ADA’s ability to bring about “genuine reform without fresh faces.”
Their opinions reflect a wider concern: Will ADA truly offer an alternative or merely be a repackaged version of the status quo?
Final Thoughts: Defection as a Symptom, Not the Cure
Political defection in Nigeria reflects the instability of ideology in our politics. It reveals a system where loyalty is transactional, and ambition often trumps principle. As new coalitions form and familiar faces find new shelters, Nigerians must remain vigilant. Change is not just about new logos and party colors—it’s about genuine commitment to governance.
The ADA may bring a fresh narrative, but without internal reform and youth inclusion, it risks becoming another stopover in Nigeria’s never-ending carousel of defections.
The recent wave of defections, high-profile rejections, and the formation of a new political coalition—Action Democratic Alliance (ADA)—have further exposed the cracks in Nigeria’s political structure, revealing both desperation and strategic recalibration ahead of 2027.
A Coalition is Born: ADA and the Search for Relevance
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and ex-Minister Rotimi Amaechi recently teamed up to unveil the Action Democratic Alliance (ADA)—a political coalition promising to disrupt the dominance of both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People's Democratic Party (PDP). In a joint statement, ADA positioned itself as “a unifying force for Nigerians tired of recycled leadership and political stagnation.”
According to Atiku, “Nigerians deserve a serious third force—one that’s not motivated by selfish ambition but by a commitment to national rebirth.”
El-Rufai, in a viral interview on Arise TV, lamented the APC-led government’s failure to curb insecurity despite ₦100 billion reportedly spent monthly on security. He stated, “What’s the point of budgeting billions if the streets remain unsafe? Nigerians are not feeling the impact.”
APC Reacts: Tinubu Camp Dismisses the Coalition
The ruling APC has downplayed the ADA’s formation, calling it “a gathering of expired politicians with no electoral weight.” A spokesperson for the party added, “These are individuals who failed within their own parties and are now seeking relevance through a coalition built on bitterness.”
The presidency has also expressed confidence that President Tinubu’s reforms will “speak for themselves by 2027”, insisting the government remains focused on real governance, not distractions.
Defections, Rejections, and Political Tensions.
One of the biggest surprises came with the defection of former Senate President David Mark to the ADA. Known for his longstanding ties with the PDP, his move signals how deep the cracks within old parties have become. Mark cited “irreconcilable differences and the hijack of internal structures” as his reason for leaving.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola—a founding member of the APC—attempted to join the ADA. However, sections of the ADC (Allied Democratic Congress), which ADA is drawing strength from, vehemently rejected his entry, citing concerns over his loyalty and previous controversial policies.
A prominent ADC faction issued a press release stating: “Aregbesola represents the old guard we are moving away from. The coalition cannot be a dumping ground for everyone dissatisfied with the APC.”
Governors Jump Ship: South-South Political Shift
In recent weeks, two notable defections occurred from the South-South region:
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Both have declared allegiance to the APC, citing the need to align with the federal government for developmental purposes. These moves have sparked mixed reactions, with critics accusing them of abandoning their mandates under pressure.
The Missing Voices—and Their Impact
Public commentators like Senator Dino Melaye and Chief Dele Momodu have weighed in. Melaye dismissed the coalition as “a recycled bunch of politicians switching uniforms,” while Momodu questioned the ADA’s ability to bring about “genuine reform without fresh faces.”
Their opinions reflect a wider concern: Will ADA truly offer an alternative or merely be a repackaged version of the status quo?
Final Thoughts: Defection as a Symptom, Not the Cure
Political defection in Nigeria reflects the instability of ideology in our politics. It reveals a system where loyalty is transactional, and ambition often trumps principle. As new coalitions form and familiar faces find new shelters, Nigerians must remain vigilant. Change is not just about new logos and party colors—it’s about genuine commitment to governance.
The ADA may bring a fresh narrative, but without internal reform and youth inclusion, it risks becoming another stopover in Nigeria’s never-ending carousel of defections.
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