By Adeyemi Adeleye
A former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South Africa Chapter, Mr Bola Babarinde, has urged Nigerians to reject politicians who constantly cross-carpeting to pursuit personal interests.
Babarinde, who is also Convener of APC Renewed Hope Africa, said this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday in Lagos.
He condemned the current wave of defections by elected politicians, describing it as the betrayal of public trust.
The APC chieftain lamented that politics in Nigeria had been dominated by opportunism, personal ambition and serial defections without ideological commitment.
“There was a time when Nigerian politics was driven by conviction, ideology, sacrifice and genuine commitment to national development.
“The First Republic remains one of the greatest political eras in our history because leaders understood the true meaning of service, honour and responsibility to the people.
“Party loyalty was sacred, and politicians did not jump from one political party to another because politics was not treated as a business venture.
“It is deeply disappointing that elected officials abandon the political platform that gave them victory yet continue holding the same mandate.
“This is not courage; it is the highest form of political betrayal and moral dishonour. Political prostitution should never be rewarded in any serious democracy,” Babarinde said.
According to him, leadership should be on trust, consistency, accountability and long-term vision.
Babarinde cited President Bola Tinubu as an example of political consistency, resilience and strategic leadership in modern Nigeria.
He recalled Tinubu’s role in sustaining progressive politics after the collapse of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the South-West.
He noted that Tinubu rebuilt the opposition through the Action Congress (AC), later Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), before helping to establish the APC.
“Rather than surrender after the loss of South-West states, Tinubu regrouped with like-minded progressives and defended Lagos.
“He consistently focused on strengthening political structures instead of imposing himself as presidential candidate.
“His vision extended beyond personal ambition because he understood that nation-building requires patience, institution-building and strategic alliances,” he said.
Babarinde described the formation of the APC by Tinubu with like-minded progressives group, to challenge the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2015 general elections as a political masterstroke.
The APC stalwart also defended Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the country’s present hardship resulted from years of poor governance and policy inconsistency.
“Difficult reforms are never easy, but history shows that great nations are built through courageous decisions, not populist deception.
“Nigeria was on autopilot for too many years under administrations that lacked bold vision and transformational courage.
“The 2027 elections should focus on consolidation, stability and national development, not emotional experimentation,” he said.
Babarinde expressed optimism that Nigeria would be one of the world’s greatest nations if leaders and citizens embraced politics of principle and vision. (NAN)
Edited by Tayo Ikujuni
