Nigeria at a Crossroads: Political Decampee, New Parties and the Next Two Years
By Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Nigeria’s political landscape is increasingly fractured. Decampee migrate from party to party; new formations spring up; mergers occur across interest groups. But are these shifts about ideology, or simply power?
Why are politicians decamping?
* Are they pursuing principle—or just chasing influence?
* A strong indicator: most defections occur just before elections—few bring new ideas.
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“Decampees decamp not for Abuja—they decamp from ideas. No new party will heal old wounds unless its foundation is built on values, not cartels.”
~ Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
What has all this achieved?
* Little policy continuity.
* Voters increasingly withhold trust, seeing politicians self-serving over public-serving.
Is forming a new party the solution?
* With over 90 registered parties, Nigeria’s political space is crowded
* Yet none have truly disrupted the two-party dominance or ceded corruption and tribal divides.
* The real test: does the party speak to Nigerians’ daily needs, such as jobs, healthcare, and security?
What do Nigerians expect in President Tinubu’s remaining two years?
* Continued reform in subsidy removal, tax policy, and currency unification
* Better living conditions: inflation remains high at 23–24%, food is still expensive
* Security sector reform—not just rhetoric, but enduring stability
What is the feasible roadmap forward?
Macroeconomic machinery:
* Strengthen agriculture with input subsidies and market reforms to drive down food inflation
* Expand tax-to-GDP from 13.5% to 18%, dedicate to infrastructure & healthcare
* Mobilize FDI in energy and ICT, using digital economy strategies guided by World Bank loan and RTC
Microeconomic machinery:
* Accelerate SME support via low-interest finance, incubators, MSME
* Expand student loan and skills schemes to combat youth unemployment
Technocrats must:
* Deliver results, not blame.
* Ensure transparency in policy implementation.
* Enable local governments to own security and social interventions.
In conclusion, Nigeria needs ideological cohesion over individuals’ ambitions.
The next 24 months must see:
* Economic relief for citizens—not just investors, as advocated
* Security and prosperity delivered through coherent macro and micro strategies.
* Political sincerity over opportunism.
Nigeria remains at a crossroads. Electorate choice, technocratic efficiency, and genuine governance will determine if this path leads to redemption or repetition.
Dr. Aiyeku Olufemi Samuel
Co-Founder & Lead Consultant, Global Human Capital & Energy Management Limited
Governance Analyst|
Development Economist|
Policy Consultant| Strategic Development Advocate| Climate Action Enthusiast | Sustainability & Impact Investing Specialist|Girl-child Advocacy| PPP & CRM Specialist /Sales Innovation & Transformational Results-Driven Business Analyst
