Legal and Public Outcry in Calabar Mounts for Tough Anti-Defection Law

In a growing clamour for political accountability, phone-in radio callers in Calabar, Cross River State, have joined a prominent legal voice to urge the National Assembly to enact stringent anti-defection laws. This public demand is aimed at deterring elected political office holders from switching allegiance to other parties after securing their seats on a particular political platform.

Dependable NG reports that the public’s frustration was strongly echoed by Barrister Leonard Anyogo, a Notary Public and Director-General of Good Governance Advocacy International. Anyogo advocated that any politician who defects should automatically forfeit their elective office.

The public sentiment was voiced during popular early morning phone-in programmes aired on both Sparkling FM and FAD FM, while Barrister Anyogo shared his legal perspective in a separate interview. Two of the callers, Mrs. Tina Akpan, a teacher, and Mr. Jim Ete, a social worker, highlighted the destructive impact of incessant defections, arguing that the practice has severely weakened opposition parties and eroded the competitive spirit vital for a healthy democracy.

Mrs. Akpan issued a stern warning that the current trend is dangerously steering Nigeria towards a one-party state, where the dominant ruling **All Progressives Congress (APC) would govern unchecked. She argued that this dominance could lead to a ‘dictatorial and authoritarian’ system, undermining the very foundations of a democracy that guarantees freedoms like free speech.

Mr. Ete added that continuous defections effectively deprive the electorate of meaningful alternatives during elections. He further alleged that the ruling party often employs inducements or pressure tactics to lure politicians to switch sides, thereby stifling the opposition.

Barrister Anyogo reinforced the absolute necessity of amending existing laws to ensure that elected officials who defect must vacate their offices without exception. “It is highly desirable that our laws be amended to make politicians lose their seats if defection occurs,” he stated. However, he also added a practical political dimension, noting that while legal reforms are vital, it remains the electorate’s ultimate power to decide who gets elected or re-elected, as defection is not a guarantee of future victory.

He concluded by urging the new Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, to uphold transparency and credibility in future elections, stressing that voters are increasingly focusing on the individual merits of candidates rather than just the political parties themselves.