Political Amnesia: Betrayal and the 2027 reckoning, by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
Political Amnesia: Betrayal and the 2027 reckoning, by Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE
The political developments unfolding across Nigeria today present a troubling picture—one that can best be described as a case of collective amnesia. As a nation, we often speak about learning from history, yet our political conduct frequently suggests the opposite. The past is repeatedly treated like a script that can be discarded and rewritten whenever the balance of power shifts.
The recent wave of political defections, coming at a time when the country is already grappling with severe economic and social pressures, raises serious questions about priorities and leadership focus. Rather than reflecting lessons from the past or presenting a coherent path forward, many of these movements appear driven by immediate political calculations rather than enduring principles. In many respects, Nigeria seems to be drifting toward a familiar political crossroads of its own making.
The growing number of defections among governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives and State Houses of Assembly has further deepened concerns about the health of our democracy. A democratic system thrives on healthy competition and a diversity of ideas. When political actors increasingly gather under a single umbrella largely for political survival, the risk of drifting toward a de facto one-party dominance becomes real. In such circumstances, values that once guided public life—loyalty, integrity, and political consistency—are easily sacrificed.
Kano provides a telling illustration of this broader national pattern. The reported move by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) reflects a recurring feature of Nigerian politics: alliances often prove temporary, while loyalty frequently gives way to expediency. For years, the Kwankwasiyya movement served as the governor’s principal political platform. Any departure from that structure inevitably raises questions about political fidelity, especially given his long-standing association with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
Beyond the question of loyalty, the timing of such realignments also invites scrutiny. At a moment when the nation faces profound economic hardship and pressing social challenges, many citizens expect political leaders to concentrate on governance rather than repositioning for the next electoral contest.
Yet electoral outcomes in Nigeria are rarely determined by party structures alone. Beneath the formal framework of politics lies a deeper interplay of culture, faith, and community identity. Traditional institutions, communal loyalties, and religious influence continue to shape political behaviour in ways that party manifestos often fail to capture.
Religious leadership, in particular, has historically played a significant role in shaping political choices, especially across Northern Nigeria. However, the experience of the 2023 elections—and the reactions that followed—appears to have prompted a period of reflection among many citizens. Increasingly, people are asking difficult questions about what voting primarily along religious lines has delivered to the nation. The irony is evident: the moral virtues preached by both Christianity and Islam do not always translate into political conduct. This disconnect has understandably weakened public confidence and contributed to a broader sense of national disillusionment.
At the grassroots level, frustration among the talakawa—ordinary Nigerians—continues to grow. Many feel mobilised during elections but neglected once power is secured. Should the national conversation shift toward demands for accountability, justice, and genuine economic relief, some of the political calculations being made today may ultimately prove short-sighted.
In many ways, the present moment reflects a wider national challenge. Across the federation, political parties have gradually lost much of their ideological character. Rather than serving as platforms for ideas and policy direction, they increasingly function as vehicles for access to power. Alliances form and dissolve with remarkable speed, leaving citizens increasingly sceptical of the system.
History offers numerous warnings about the consequences of such patterns. Sudden defections, fragile alliances, and high-profile political betrayals have rarely produced lasting stability in Nigeria. Yet these lessons appear to be repeatedly overlooked, as though each electoral cycle begins with a deliberate forgetting of what came before.
As the nation gradually approaches the 2027 elections, the real question may not be whether politicians remember history—but whether voters do. If the electorate refuses to succumb to political amnesia, the coming elections could present an opportunity for renewal. If not, Nigeria risks repeating a familiar cycle in which ambition overtakes principle and yesterday’s lessons are once again sacrificed in the relentless pursuit of power.
By Engr. Bello Gwarzo Abdullahi, FNSE.
Email: bgabdullahi@gmail.com
