The Surge with Boma Lilian Braide on The Southerner Newspaper
Monday, December 8, 2025
The recent wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling party has exposed the rot in Nigerian politics. Governors and politicians, once sworn enemies, are now embracing each other with open arms, their differences forgotten in the face of a more pressing priority; lining their pockets.
It’s a familiar tale, one that has played out countless times before, with citizens left to suffer the consequences.
The truth is, Nigerian politics has become a lucrative business, with politicians treating public office as a personal ATM. They pour money into election campaigns, not to serve the people, but to recoup their investments and amass wealth. It’s a cycle of greed, fueled by the desperation of those who crave power and the willingness of those who fund it (AKA Godfathers).
The recent defection of politicians from other parties to APC/ADC is a case in point. What drove these politicians to abandon their parties and join the ruling party? Was it a sudden epiphany, a revelation that the APC/ADC are the only parties capable of moving Nigeria forward? Or did they just realize the APC/ADC is the best thing since sliced bread? Or is it simply a case of if you can’t beat them, join them? Or is it something more sinister, a desire to be part of the plunder, to get a slice of the national cake?
Well, it seems like the politicians have discovered a new magic formula for success; join the ruling party and voilà, all your problems disappear. The recent defection extravaganza has left many wondering, did these politicians suddenly find enlightenment? Are these politicians the messiahs Nigeria has been waiting for? Will they bring a new wave of change, or just more of the same old promises and failed policies? One thing is for sure, they’re definitely consistent, consistent in their inconsistency.
The answer is obvious. Nigerian politicians are not interested in serving the people; they are only interested in serving themselves. They have no ideology, no vision, no commitment to the nation’s development. They are driven by greed, the desire for wealth and power, and by the need to stay in office. It’s a betrayal not just of the people, but of the very institutions that these politicians swore to uphold.
The scramble for power and wealth has become so intense that politicians are willing to abandon their parties, their principles, and even their constituents, all in the name of getting a slice of the national cake. But this is not just about politicians switching parties; it’s about a systemic failure that has allowed corruption to thrive. It’s about politicians who prioritize their own interests over the welfare of citizens, who steal from the public purse to fund their election campaigns, and who have no shame in giving percentages to their godfathers while the nation suffers.
Take, for instance, the recent insecurity challenges across the country, which is one of the results of politics of plunder. Despite people’s lives being cut short daily in different states as a result of the insurgency, most politicians still prioritize their own interests over the welfare of citizens, leaving the country vulnerable to terrorist attacks, banditry, and kidnapping rather than addressing security concerns. They rather spend more time on the news, criticizing the opposition for a better story line of why they are the better choice in the forthcoming elections than their opponents.
The hectic election process is another symptom of the disease eating deep into Nigerian politics. The cost of elections is astronomical, with politicians spending billions of naira to get elected, only to steal more from the public purse to offset their expenses. Politicians manipulate the system, using every trick in the book to get elected, from vote buying to rigging. The result is a government that is not accountable to the people, but to the highest bidder.
Single Six-Year Term
One solution to this reoccurrence is to adopt a single six-year term for political office holders. This would allow leaders to focus on governance without the distraction of re-election campaigns. It would also reduce the influence of moneybags in politics and promote inclusive governance.
The two-term system has been criticized for promoting a culture of corruption and impunity. Leaders spend their first term campaigning for the second and the second term protecting their legacies or trying to install successors. Governance takes a backseat while party politics becomes the main event.
A single six-year term would address these challenges. It would give leaders the freedom to govern without fear of electoral backlash. They would be able to implement policies and projects without worrying about re-election.
Breaking the cycle of plunder
Nigeria, it’s time to wake up! The politics of greed and neglect has brought us to our knees, and it’s time to demand a better future. We, the citizens, are the majority, and it’s time we take back our country.
The plunder continues… Politicians switch parties, but their loyalty remains the same to their own selfish interests. They prioritize power and wealth over the welfare of citizens, leaving us with crumbling infrastructure, insecurity, and a failing economy.
But we can break the cycle! We can create a new Nigeria, one where politics is about serving the people, not just personal gain. We can demand accountability, transparency, and good governance. We can support leaders who prioritize our welfare, and reject those who don’t.
Power is in your hands
Will you continue to sit on the sidelines, watching as the country is plundered? Or will you join the fight for a better Nigeria? The choice is ours to make. As the great activist, Malcolm X, once said, ‘The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.’ Let us prepare for a better Nigeria, one that is free from corruption, greed, and neglect. Let us demand accountability, transparency, and good governance. Let us join hands to create a new Nigeria that works for all.
Say no to corruption, greed, and neglect. Say yes to accountability, transparency, and good governance.
Break the circle, Demand better, Nigeria deserves better!
