Former President Goodluck Jonathan has issued a strong condemnation of the rampant practice of political defections, commonly known as cross-carpeting, labelling it a grave threat to the nation’s democratic integrity and stability.
Speaking at a national dialogue on electoral reform in Abuja, Jonathan argued that the trend, where politicians freely switch parties after being elected, undermines public trust and reduces political accountability.
He stated that this opportunism weakens democratic institutions and makes a mockery of the electoral mandate given by voters.
To directly address this issue, the former president proposed the creation of an independent regulatory body, to be known as the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties. This new office would be tasked with enforcing strict party discipline and ensuring internal democracy within political organisations.
Crucially, Jonathan recommended that this registrar be granted the authority to declare the seats of defecting lawmakers vacant. This powerful measure would ensure that an electoral mandate is recognised as belonging to the people and the party platform on which a candidate was elected, rather than becoming a tool for individual ambition.
Beyond tackling defections, Jonathan also highlighted the need for broader electoral reforms, including a more transparent process for appointing the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to further strengthen Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
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