I Have Seen the Light in the Other Party
In Nigeria, light is not always electricity — sometimes it’s a senator’s bank alert. And when a politician says, “I have seen the light,” what he really means is “Dem no give me ticket.”
Let’s stop pretending. Nobody is consulting their conscience. They’re consulting spreadsheets: zoning formula, delegate count, and how much envelope is moving in Party B. Once the math is mathing, voila! The “light” appears.
This episode exposes Nigeria’s most sacred political scam: the overnight defection wrapped in holy wrapper. The man that was dragging the ruling party like jollof rice last week suddenly appears in their colors this week, doing thanksgiving in church like he just got healed of leprosy. God didn’t speak to him — INEC did.
The defector usually starts with a press statement that smells like it was downloaded from DefectionTemplates.com. “After wide consultations with my people…” Bros, which people? Your PA and two retired thugs from your ward?
Then comes the classic: “My spirit no longer aligns with the party’s vision.” Na now your spirit dey misbehave? After collecting appointment, contract, estacode, and attending national convention with a matching cap? Oga, please shift.
Let’s talk logistics. These men don’t just defect — they relocate their stomach infrastructure. You’ll see them smiling like stolen mandate at the welcome rally, while party loyalists pretend like they didn’t insult each other just two weeks ago. A quick uniform change, handshake with the national chairman, and boom — “I am now fully committed to the growth of our great party.” Which party? Any party with electricity, AC, and small rice at the secretariat.
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Even pastors have entered the game. Some will arrange 3-day fasting for “divine direction,” then announce the defection on a Sunday like prophecy. “The Lord told me in a dream that this new party is the ark of covenant.” Na lie. It’s the ark of contracts.
And oh — the praise singers. “Distinguished Honorable, the man of the people!” Man wey no repair borehole in 4 years. A man whose only constituency project was changing parties like he’s changing DSTV subscription.
This is not politics. This is political Yahoo Plus. Manifesto no dey, principle no dey, shame don die. Loyalty is now as flexible as NEPA light. They will join the party, chop, defect again, and still say “for the good of my people.”
Let’s call it what it is: Nigerian politicians don’t defect — they migrate seasonally like japa birds. They don’t believe in any ideology except “What’s in it for me?” Today it’s broom, tomorrow umbrella, next tomorrow torchlight, and by 2027, maybe cow logo — who knows?
So next time you hear “I have seen the light,” just know:
The only light they’re seeing is coming from the ATM in the party secretariat.
God no send them. Greed did.
Professor MarkAnthony Ujunwa Nze is a distinguished Nigerian-born investigative journalist, public intellectual, and global governance analyst, whose work spans critical intersections of media, law, and policy. His expertise extends across strategic management, leadership, and international business law, where he brings a nuanced understanding of institutional dynamics, cross-border legal frameworks, and executive decision-making in complex global environments.
Currently based in New York, Professor Nze serves as a full tenured professor at the New York Centre for Advanced Research. There, he spearheads interdisciplinary research at the forefront of governance innovation, corporate strategy, and geopolitical risk. Widely respected for his intellectual rigor and principled advocacy, he remains a vital voice in shaping ethical leadership and sustainable governance across emerging and established democracies.