Kalu Knocks Political Defectors, Warns Nigeria’s Image At Stake

LAGOS – Dr. Emeka Kalu, the President of ECK Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has castigated politicians for lack of ideology, which further fueled their frequent cross carpeting to other political parties.

He also warned that the continuation of this menace by politicians was creating a negative image for Nigeria in the comity of nations.

Kalu stated these on Friday in a statement made available to journalists.

Kalu expressed worries that as the 2027 general election neared, most of the Federal legislators had jumped ship to another political parties, neglecting the parties that sponsored their elections to the parliament.

He regretted that most of the politicians who cross carpeted, cited inexistent crisis in their parties, maintaining that most of these crises were fueled by the politicians to leave their original parties to the other.

Kalu expressed that in the face of this current situation and non-transparency by politicians, the integrity of Nigeria as a nation was at stake, adding that the nation’s political system would not stand the test of time.

For instance, he regretted that theupcoming Anambra State governorship election had witnessed lots of dramatic turn of event as politicians in the state are busy defecting to other political parties in pursuit of their ambitions.

He said: “In the face of this worrisome development, party faithful in their large numbers lose confidence in their ability to further demonstrate exemplary leadership if supported and re-elected.

“It is quite unfortunate, disappointing and highly unprofessional that party politics is now taken as a means of amassing wealth considering the mindset of most Nigeria politicians.

“To enrich one’s pocket against the will of the people, politicians often abandon their grassroot parties to join another political party inconsiderate of the values, trust and confidence their supporters repose on them.”

Kalu insisted that politics was not a career, but a civic platform through which government officials were chosen to serve the common interest of the people.

The ECK Foundation President, lamented that today, politics had become a cash-out avenue through which those who came to power looted public funds, thereby leaving the helpless citizens in total disappointment, frustrations, hunger and abject poverty.

He advised Nigerians to be wary of these inconsistent politicians with the uncultured practice of jumping ships.

He called on the electorate to critically assess the habit, mindset and characters of those they supported and voted for in elections in order to prevent defections.