Nigeria’s political landscape has undergone significant evolution since the return to democracy in 1999. Among the notable trends is the fluidity of party affiliation among politicians, especially between the two major parties: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This phenomenon, often referred to as “party switching” or “realignment,” has shaped governance, election outcomes, and public discourse.
Rather than viewing these moves as inherently negative, it is essential to explore them within the broader context of Nigeria’s political system—marked by coalition-building, regional dynamics, and the search for platforms that align with political aspirations and national relevance.
This article examines the political trajectories of prominent Nigerian politicians who have changed parties over the years, providing context, motivations, and the implications of these movements on democratic development.
ATIKU ABUBAKAR
1999–2007: Vice President under PDP.
2006: Left PDP for Action Congress (AC) to run for president.
2009: Returned to PDP and contested the 2011 presidential primary.
2014: Defected to APC and contested the 2015 APC presidential primary.
2017: Left APC, returned to PDP, and became the party’s 2019 and 2023 presidential candidate.
BUKOLA SARAKI
2011: Elected senator on PDP ticket.
2014: Defected to APC along with other New PDP members.
2015: Became Senate President under APC.
2018: Returned to PDP, citing marginalization and internal conflicts.
ROTIMI AMAECHI
2007–2013: Rivers State Governor under PDP.
2013: Defected to APC after internal conflicts in PDP and disagreements with the Jonathan administration.
2015–2023: Served as Minister of Transportation under Buhari’s APC government.
GODSWILL AKPABIO
2007–2015: Akwa Ibom Governor under PDP.
2015: Elected senator on PDP ticket.
2018: Defected to APC and became a minister under Buhari.
2023: Elected Senate President under APC.
FEMI FANI-KAYODE
Early 2000s: PDP spokesperson and aviation minister.
2013: Joined APC during the formation of the mega party.
2014: Returned to PDP.
2021: Rejoined APC, citing national unity and stability.
RABIU MUSA KWANKWASO
1999–2003: Kano Governor under PDP.
2011: Returned as governor under PDP.
2014: Defected to APC and became senator.
2018: Returned to PDP.
2022: Formed the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and contested the 2023 presidential election.
DAVID UMAHI
2015–2020: Ebonyi State Governor under PDP.
2020: Defected to APC, citing lack of fairness to the Southeast in PDP.
2023: Elected senator under APC.
BELLO MATAWALLE
2019: Elected Zamfara Governor under PDP after APC was disqualified.
2021: Defected to APC with most members of his cabinet and state assembly.
2023: Appointed Minister of State for Defence under APC.
ORJI UZOR KALU
1999: Governor of Abia State under PDP.
2006: Left PDP to form Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA).
2011: Contested senatorial seat under PPA.
2016: Joined APC and won Abia North Senate seat in 2019.
NUHU RIBADU
2011: Presidential candidate for ACN.
2014: Joined PDP and served in Jonathan’s campaign.
2021: Returned to APC.
2023: Appointed National Security Adviser under Tinubu.
BEN AYADE
2015–2021: Governor of Cross River State under PDP.
2021: Defected to APC citing alignment with President Buhari’s leadership.
SAMUEL ORTOM
2015: Defected from PDP to APC and became Governor of Benue State.
2018: Returned to PDP after fallout with APC leadership.
2023: Lost senatorial bid on PDP platform.
ABDULLAHI UMAR GANDUJE
Pre-2013: Longtime member of the PDP.
2013: Joined APC during the party’s merger.
2015–2023: Served as Kano State Governor under APC.
OLUSEGUN MIMIKO
1999–2006: Commissioner and Minister under PDP.
2006: Left PDP for Labour Party, won Ondo governorship.
2014: Returned to PDP.
2018: Rejoined Labour Party.
THEODORE ORJI
2007–2010: Governor of Abia State under PPA.
2010: Returned to PDP during his second term.
2015–2023: Served as senator under PDP.
ALI MODU SHERIFF
1999–2014: Senator and Borno Governor under ANPP.
2014: Joined PDP, became acting National Chairman.
2018: Returned to APC.
SULE LAMIDO
Longtime PDP stalwart and former governor of Jigawa State.
While he has remained in PDP, he was part of G-7 governors who openly challenged PDP leadership and explored alternatives in 2013.
BABANGIDA ALIYU
2007–2015: Niger State Governor under PDP.
Member of the 2013 New PDP (nPDP) bloc that negotiated with APC.
Returned to PDP mainstream after the 2015 election.
NED NWOKO
1999–2003: Member of House of Representatives under PDP.
2019: Elected senator representing Delta North under PDP.
2024: Officially defected to APC, aligning with the party’s South-South bloc. His move was seen as a strategic step to strengthen his political network at the national level.
CONTEXTUALIZING POLITICAL REALIGNMENTS IN NIGERIA
Several factors influence political realignments in Nigeria:
1. Coalition Building: Party switches often occur ahead of major elections to build broader coalitions.
2. Regional Representation: Politicians may move to parties they believe offer better representation for their region.
3. Policy Synergy: Aligning with the ruling party can facilitate implementation of federal-state policies.
4. Intra-party Dynamics: Conflicts or exclusion within parties can lead to realignment as a survival strategy.
While critics sometimes associate party switching with opportunism, others see it as part of a maturing political landscape where ideologies are still evolving.
IMPLICATIONS FOR DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE
Voter Trust: Frequent switching can impact voter confidence, especially where mandates are seen as tied to party platforms.
Institutional Stability: Consistent ideologies strengthen institutions. However, Nigeria’s evolving political culture is still balancing flexibility with structure.
Representation: Party realignments can be used to promote inclusion and correct perceived regional imbalances.
CONCLUSION: TOWARD A MORE COHERENT POLITICAL FUTURE
Nigeria’s democracy is still young. The phenomenon of party switching, while often criticized, is also a reflection of the country’s adaptive political culture. As political parties grow stronger and internal democratic practices improve, party platforms may gain more ideological definition, reducing the frequency of realignments.
In the meantime, the onus remains on the electorate, institutions, and civil society to hold leaders accountable, encourage political transparency, and build a democracy where loyalty is defined by ideas, not just affiliation.
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