Honorable. Lumumba Dah Adeh was a member of the House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003; He was also one of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s aides. The All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart speaks to ISAAC SHOBAYO about the gale of defections, the fear in some quarters that Nigeria is sliding towards a one-party state, the threat posed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), among other issues. Extracts.
Recently, we have seen several governors and other political officials defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). There are accusations in some quarters that these defections are not voluntary: that some of these politicians are being coerced or pressured to join the APC. What is your opinion on this?
Well, I don’t think that’s the right way to look at the situation. Defections among governors did not begin with the APC. You will recall that in 1999, when this current democratic administration began, the three major parties were the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the Alliance for Democracy, also called AD. At first, these political parties were very strong, albeit at different levels, but by the end of President Obasanjo’s first term, the PDP had become dominant because many governors and even national leaders had defected to it. They were not forced to join; They deserted due to personal convictions. So if defections were not considered coercion, then I don’t see why they should be now, unless of course there is concrete evidence to support such a claim. If we look at it critically, the APC remains the largest and most stable political party in the country at the moment. This alone is enough to attract people from other political parties into the APC fold. I mean there’s nothing like being coerced.
But the situation you described seems quite different from what is happening today. During Obasanjo’s time, democracy was still evolving. People now argue that today’s defections have less to do with ideology and more to do with personal or political gain.
Well, people used to describe Nigeria’s democracy as “nascent.” But how many years does it take for democracy to mature? Even in the United States, after more than 200 years, democracy remains a work in progress. No system is perfect; continues to evolve.
So, 25 years into our democracy, it is unrealistic to expect certain patterns – such as defections – to disappear completely. They can be repeated for different reasons. Unless there is empirical evidence to show that governors are being coerced, I think most of them move because they feel more comfortable with the APC. At that level of leadership, a governor has access to enough information about his state and the country. So when a governor decides to switch to another party, he must have solid reasons for doing so. Furthermore, these are experienced politicians who understand political dynamics; They don’t desert just for fun; They are more aware of the circumstances and situation prevailing on the ground. They have their reasons, which perhaps you and I do not know.
Aren’t you worried that with this wave of defections, Nigeria may be sliding towards a one-party state?
I don’t think so. I have never experienced a one-party state; most of that talk is theoretical. Of course, it is always better for democracy when there is a viable opposition. But defections alone do not turn a country into a one-party state. After all, we still have members of the National Assembly and governors from other parties. A one-party state would mean that there are absolutely no other parties represented at any level of government, and that is not the case here. Whether we like it or not, there will always be a dominant political party with national reach and appeal. At a particular time, the PDP was the dominant party, but today it is the APC that is spread throughout the country. There will always be strong and weak political parties. The peace and stability prevailing in APC is attractive and a source of attraction.
What do you think is attractive about the APC that makes these governors and politicians want to join?
The best answer to that question is answered by those who have defected. But they may be attracted by the APC’s style of governance under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As for those of us who are already in the APC, we have stayed because we felt comfortable with the leadership and direction of the party.
People often argue that the frequent movement of politicians between parties shows that Nigeria’s political system lacks ideology. Do you agree?
Yes, I absolutely agree. Perhaps it is part of our democratic evolution. Over time, clear ideological distinctions will emerge between the parties. The lack of ideology is probably one of the reasons why defections are so common. If the parties had solid ideological bases, going from one to another would not be so easy. But I think as our democracy matures, we will eventually get to that point.
The ADC, although still in an embryonic stage, has promised to uproot the APC from power in 2027. How is your party handling this threat?
As it is, you can check it out for yourself. If everyone is moving to the APC, how can another party be a real threat? In fact, if I ask them now, they may not even be able to say clearly what the ADC’s position is, who its prominent members are, or in what areas it still has significant influence. The party has no area of influence in the country. Tell me how many governors have defected to the party and what is the strength of the party? It currently has no structure anywhere in the country. So I don’t see how such a party can uproot a ruling party in 2027. Remember, structures are not built overnight.
Another belief held by many Nigerians is that the country’s politics is cyclical in nature – it keeps moving in circles without a clear direction. Do you agree with this belief?
Yes, that’s true. Since the beginning of this democratic administration, our policy has not been simple. People have been playing hide and seek, coming and going. But for you that’s politics. However, I’m not exactly sure what you’re trying to get at with this question.
I mean, when you compare Nigeria’s politics with what happens in more advanced countries, it seems less stable.
Well, each political landscape has its own nuances. Much of it is determined by a country’s culture and its level of development, so to speak. So I don’t understand why anyone would expect democracy to be practiced the same way everywhere. Even among advanced democracies, no two are alike. It cannot be said that democracy in the United Kingdom is practiced in the same way as in the United States.
Plateau State politics has seen a lot of movement lately, with politicians switching parties…
Yes, politics is about people and the movement is part of it. As I said before, politicians act for different reasons. The more the better.
Does your party stand a chance in the 2027 elections in Plateau State?
Why not? After all, we narrowly lost the 2023 gubernatorial election: we lost by just a hair. Many analysts believe that it was due to certain wrong decisions or strategies during that election. Those cracks have since been sealed and the party is now united. So 2027 will be a completely different ball game.
So is there hope for victory in 2027?
Certainly, yes. All efforts are being made. Nobody is going to sleep. It is a progressive movement. At every step, we analyze the situation, identify areas for improvement, redefine strategies and position ourselves for victory in 2027. Furthermore, Nigerians are appreciating the performance of the Federal Government under President Tinubu, and that gives the APC a huge advantage.
One of the major challenges that has affected Plateau State since the beginning of this administration is insecurity; Rural life has been seriously disrupted. What is the way out of this situation?
As unfortunate as the situation may have been, I must confess that there is now a marked difference in the approach to addressing insecurity. And that’s why we’re seeing improvements. Clear evidence is the recent statement by the Chief of the Defense Staff that the rules of engagement have been modified; Security agencies are now empowered to defend themselves and repel attackers, which was not the case before. This is a step in the right direction and is probably why the situation is improving.
In northern Nigeria, some states have adopted the amnesty approach, while others have taken different routes to address insecurity. Do you think the amnesty approach is justified, considering the magnitude of the atrocities committed by these elements?
Well, I don’t think there is a single approach that can fit all situations. The nature of insecurity differs from one region to another. For example, insecurity in the Middle Belt is quite different from that of the Far North. In the latter case, it is more about banditry and other criminal activities. Therefore, each state or region must evaluate its unique circumstances and adopt the approach that works best for it. If adopting an amnesty program or other unique method will bring peace and stay within the law, then I have no problem with that.
Comprehensively, what advice would you give to the federal government on how to handle insecurity in Nigeria?
My advice applies not only to the federal government but also to state and local governments: create jobs. There are too many idle young people. And as the saying goes: “The idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” When young people are unemployed, they become easy targets for recruitment into criminal activities. Paid employment will help significantly reduce insecurity.