Governors, Lawmakers Defecting Are Like Herdsmen — Iredia

Former Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Professor Tonnie Iredia, has criticised the widespread defection of elected officials from one political party to another while retaining their seats, likening the trend to the actions of herdsmen who trespass and destroy without accountability.

Speaking in Abuja during the 1st Annual Lecture Series of the National Association of Political Correspondents (NAPOC) to mark June 12 and the legacy of Option A-4, Iredia described the practice as dishonest and damaging to Nigeria’s democratic integrity. “They are the same as herdsmen. They move about destroying people’s farms and when you confront them, they say I have freedom of movement,” he said. Drawing a direct parallel, he added, “So, a governor uses one party to win an election, then he defects but keeps the votes. That is stealing.”

Iredia, who also served as Director of Public Affairs under the Professor Humphrey Nwosu-led National Electoral Commission (NEC), called for the judiciary to address this issue with urgency and clarity. He stressed that the Nigerian political system must stop enabling office holders to benefit from mandates secured under party platforms they later abandon.

He further defended Professor Nwosu against long-standing criticisms surrounding the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election, insisting that the NEC chairman fulfilled his duty by conducting the election. “Why blame Prof. Nwosu? He did not annul the election. His job was to conduct the election and he did. What else was he expected to do?” Iredia asked, recalling how the electoral body was suspended by the military regime rather than supported. He decried recent opposition in the National Assembly to proposals aimed at immortalising Nwosu, calling such resistance “most annoying.”

Reflecting on the voting process used during the 1993 election, Iredia championed Option A-4 for its transparency and efficiency, urging its reintroduction especially for party congresses and conventions. According to him, the system, which allowed voters and observers to know election results instantly at polling units, remains Nigeria’s most credible electoral model to date. “All elections before and after June 12 had problems. So, it was a watershed,” he noted.

The event was chaired by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, and featured contributions from political scholars and leaders including Professor Jideofor Adibe of Nasarawa State University, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi of Baze University, former Information Minister Mr Labaran Maku, and Dr Emeka Nwosu.

Ihedioha lamented the current state of Nigerian democracy, stating, “There is no doubt that our democracy today is sick. I am worried over the legacy we shall be leaving behind. Today, courage has disappeared and people no longer speak truth to power.”

Iredia concluded his remarks with a call for national recognition of Professor Nwosu’s contributions, expressing hope that the architect of Option A-4 will one day receive the honour he deserves.