In a dramatic turn of events, a landmark Supreme Court decision has put an end to a long-standing practice in Nigerian politics: the art of political party-hopping post primaries. For decades, it was commonplace for influential politicians to lose their primary elections within a major party, defect to a rival party by late May, and secure a consensus ticket by early June. However, this tactic has now been deemed unconstitutional following the Supreme Court’s recent judgment.
The crux of the issue revolves around a late defector who was still actively contesting primaries when he switched parties. The Supreme Court, in its wisdom, ruled that such action is in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the Electoral Act which states that ‘a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if – (g) as at the time of filing his nomination, he has been convicted and is under sentence of imprisonment for a term exceeding two years without the option of fine.’, effectively closing the door on this controversial loophole.
This ruling could significantly alter the political landscape in Nigeria, as it eliminates the possibility for politicians to switch parties with impunity. Candidates who lose primaries will now have to abide by the results or face disqualification. This may encourage party loyalty and potentially lead to more internal democracy within political parties.
However, the full implications of this decision remain to be seen. Some political analysts argue that it could lead to a decrease in competitiveness, as losing candidates may now feel they have no other option but to stay within their initial party. Others suggest that it could potentially reduce corruption and encourage more serious and committed politicians to run for office.
The ruling comes at a time when Nigerian politics is experiencing a period of significant change, with upcoming elections set to reshape the political landscape. This decision by the Supreme Court marks a decisive step towards promoting electoral integrity and ensuring a more level playing field.
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