Decamping”, “Encamping” In This Nigerian Transitional Dispensation

By Charles Nwabardi

In Nigerian politics, there is the popular assumption of “no permanent enemy”; ” politics is all about self-interest”. Whether one likes it or not, these have been the templates that guide Nigerian politicians both representatives and those in appointments. It has become a misguided philosophy in the Nigerian polity. Politicians scheme with all desperation to be elected or secure political appointments; not to serve but to enrich themselves at the detriment of the citizens. Candidates during electioneering campaigns give vague and unachievable campaign promises, killing and maiming opponents through their ready-to-kill paid thugs with all desperation and sharing monies in local and hard currencies.

Most of the politicians resort to blackmailing of their opponents even their close political allies just to get there and actualize their self-interest. In the pursuit of the self-interest, they throw public interest to the winds in order to achieve their over ambitious goals. Most of them borrow huge sums of money to get there. When they succeed, the tendency will be to accumulate in any way they can in order to pay back the borrowed money and to have enough for keeps. In this aspect, corruption sets in. Moreover, the politicians who have succeeded in getting into offices  but could not actually have their “self-interest” actualized either because of checks or some variables within their political parties usually decide to decamp to encamp in another party.

The selfish interest tendencies  exhibited by Nigerian politicians have necessitated bulldozing of any opposing factor out of their ways. They cling to extra spiritual powers and make books written by hardliners their Best Buy. Ask any politician in Nigerian if he or she has read: “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli and “Act Of War” written by a Chinese, most answers will be in affirmative.

Succinctly, the two books dwell on how to deal ruthlessly with opposing factors. In party politics opposition has its place and must be given its place.

However, in Nigerian politics, opponents are perceived enemies that must be eliminated. There are intra-party opponents and inter-party opponents. Decamping emanates when some forces within the party become a block to actualizing selfish interest of some ruthless politicians.

In pages of Newspapers, Magazines, Television, Radio and Social Media news of “Decampees” and “Encampees” are given prominence. Funny enough, journalists enjoy carrying the news especially when they favour their innate political alignment. The question is: ” Why is it that there is more decamping during transitional  period in Nigeria? As far back as the first Republic, it has been with us in Nigeria. It is not only tied to this political dispensation we are now. What Nigeria needs now, is not decamping but articulate politicians with initiative and great purpose to deliver Nigeria from the doldrums. Politicians that will not sacrifice the destinies of Nigerians to their selfish interest and party interest.

Decamping cannot bring any fruitful national development but help to actualize selfish political interest of politicians.

Let Nigerian Politicians jettison decamping and concentrate on building proactive political ideologies that can move Nigeria forward.