"Forum: Governors’ Shift to APC Poses Threat to Democracy and Raises Concerns"

The President of the Women in Politics Forum, Ebere Ifendu, has described the wave of defections among Nigerian governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as highly embarrassing.

During an interview on Arise Television, which was monitored by DAILY POST on Thursday, Ifendu expressed concern that Nigeria's democracy is under threat.

She was responding to the mass defections of several state governors from their political parties to the APC.

According to DAILY POST, the governors of Enugu, Bayelsa, Delta, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom states have all switched allegiance to the ruling party.

Ifendu remarked, “It’s quite an embarrassing situation, to be honest. In politics, we expect political parties to have distinct ideologies. You could be a socialist party like the Labour Party or a conservative party. There should be a clear ideology.

“When you observe these individuals moving from one party to another, it raises the question: Are political parties in Nigeria not founded on ideology? We vote for a political party based on the principles and values they present to us.

“I believe that democracy in Nigeria is at risk because people are losing faith in those they have elected.

“Additionally, it is important to note that a candidate represents the mandate of their party, not a personal mandate. You are elected based on what your party stands for, and then you abandon that party to join another. Are we heading towards a one-party state in Nigeria?

“Without a viable opposition, there can be no democracy. Therefore, I find the current situation in Nigeria very concerning.”