is characterized by incessant movement of politicians from one political platform to the other. This act is commonly
Nigerian politics is characterized by incessant movement of politicians from one political platform to the other. This act is commonly known as “Cross-carpeting”. It is not an official English word. It is only coined by Nigerians to describe this selfish act of marauding the murky waters of politics in Nigeria with intentions of being in the ruling party where they can stake their claims in the national cake.
This act has a multiplicity of negative impacts on politics in Nigeria. Switching of political allegience from one political party to another is instigated by nothing other than selfish interest. They are indeed ” political prostitutes”. They seek for better prospects and to better their financial stocks, hence they cross-carpet from one political party to another.
Looking at the history of politics Nigeria, ” Political cross-carpeting” started far back in the 50s. Recently, this act has been very common in the country. In 2015, many top politicians switched allegiance from the then ruling party, the PDP to join the APC. Some of them have unsurprisingly ran back to the PDP. It is very likely that they will still cross carpet to another party. This write-up will highlight some of the top Nigerian politicians who are culprits in this act of cross-carpeting:
#1 Atiku Abubakar:
Atiku is a former comptroller general of customs and a one-time vice-president of the country. He served as vice-president under the PDP, but later switched allegience to Action Congress AC in 2006 after having issues with President Obasanjo. He contested the for the presidential position and lost in 2007. In 2011, Atiku cross-carpeted again to the PDP after internal party disagreement with Bola Tinubu the Action congress leader. He contest for the PDP presidential ticket but lost to President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. In 2013, Atiku alongside five other state governors cross-carpet to join the APC which was formed newly.
In 2014, he lost the APC presidential ticket to President Buhari who later won the general elections. In 2017, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar demonstrated his “political cross-carpeting prowess” by replicating his 2011 action. He jumped back to the PDP and is still hoping to clinch the presidential ticket. If he fails, then Nigerians should expect nothing but another round of political cross-carpeting from him. He is clearly the number one on list.
#2 Ali Modu Sheriff
He is a one-time factional chairman of the PDP, a senator and Governor of Bornu state. Sheriff was an ANPP loyalist in 1999, a platform where he contested and won the Governorship elections for two terms. He later cross-carpet to the All progress congress where he was one of the founding members. In 2014, he switched his allegiance to the PDP, a move which analysts believe was a strategy by the APC to distabilize the PDP. Sheriff later became the factional leader in the PDP. This caused a lingering court case of which he was later ousted. In April 2018, Sheriff made a swift return to the APC. He is one of the top politician to be engaged in this act of political cross-carpeting.
#3 Dino Melaye:
Dino is widely known for his bold and outspokenness. He is one of the youngest senators, but is clearly one of the most controversial. Dino has been involved in spats and fights with many top politicians a move which made him to cross -carpet from the PDP to APC in 2014. He contested and won as a senator under the APC but has recently decamped from the APC back to the PDP.
#4 Rabiu Kwankwaso
He is very influential in Kano state. He served as Governor for two terms under the PDP. Kwankwaso is ome of the state Governors who cross carpet during the merger to form the APC in 2015. He contested for the APC presidential ticket, but lost to President Buhari. He is one of the top Nigerian politicians to have been involved in this act of political cross-carpeting. He has since returned back to the PDP and is eying the presidential ticket ahead of the 2019 elections.
There are many other Nigerian politicians who as involved in this selfish act of political cross-carpeting. We only decided to focus on the most conspicuous ones. Feel free to contribute this list via the comment box.
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