Shekarau And The Politics Of Defection -By Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua

Malam Ibrahim Shekarau needs no introduction in Nigerian politics. He was former governor of Kano state, former minister of education during Jonathan administration and currently a serving senator. Shekarau is a political colossal whose experience, eloquence and exceptional performance could not be questioned. His eight years as governor of Kano the most populous state in Nigeria speak volumes about him. He introduced popular program tagged “A daidaita sahu” a societal orientation programs aimed at installing discipline and good moral values among the people of Kano. This is one of the unforgettable legacy. The trained teacher turned politician also performed excellently well during a debate organised for presidential candidates in 2011 which he emerged first. Besides, Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has built a think tank political group which he refers as “shura”. The group consists up mostly his loyalists and those who identified and share his political ideologies. He meets “shura” before taking any political decisions.

  Malam Ibrahim Shekarau governed Kano state that produced late political sage, malam Aminu Kano and other great politicians such as; late Audu Bako, Sabo bakin zuwo and Abubakar Rimi. These great politicians, during their times had carved niche for themselves and shaped the politics of present Kano. Shekarau who first aligned himself with progressive politics has suddenly abandoned it and morphed to serial defector. One thought, Shekarau would have fit the empty shoe left behind by late Aminu Kano and continued with the struggle to emancipate the downtrodden (talakawas) . Alas, this has not been the case, as he has become a desperate politician looking for relevance. Within the period of less than four years, Shekarau has moved to three political parties, namely APC,NNPP and PDP respectively. He cites injustice as the main reason. However, Shekarau is not the only politician guilty of defection, others do. Politics in Nigeria is bereft of ideologies. Our today’s politicians see politics as gravy train for power acquisition and wealth accumulation. That is why, they don’t give a damn of moving from one political party to another, so long it will put food in their table.

  One remembers with nostalgia the politics of first and second republic. Politicians of first and the second republic were driven by parties ideologies and passion to serve the electorates. There were minimal cases of defections as being witnessed today.  The NPC,NCNC and NEPU were formed primarily to champion the causes of common man. These political parties never faltered or derailed from their policies and programs. It was during their times the country recorded tremendous infrastructural development such as the first generational universities. In the second republic, the late Shehu Shagari led NPN federal government, with the logo of house in its flag, embarked upon massive building of low cost and affordable houses for ordinary Nigerians across the country. The agricultural sector was also accorded the greatest priority it deserved. There was good leadership across the three tiers of governments which led to accelerate socio-economy development in the country. Most of those politicians elected under the first and second republic ensured parties’ programs were implemented to the fullest.

  Nonetheless, our today political parties are being formed just to capture power so also the greedy politicians to control resources. In Nigeria, elected governor, senator or member of state house of assembly will just wake up and defect to another party without losing his/ her seat. The reason is that, there is no consequences for such actions. In developed democracies, politicians never contemplate defecting. The laws are there for whoever tries it. For senator Ibrahim Shekarau and his co-defectees, their actions will deflate or diminish their integrity and political acceptability. It is reported, some of his die-hard supporters of political loyalists have failed to join him. With time, his political base will collapse as nobody will endure moving with him.

 Ibrahim Mustapha Pambegua, Kaduna state. 08169056963.