By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
Calabar, Dec. 24, 2025 (NAN) – In a political climate often characterized by defections and shifting allegiances, Senator Gershom Bassey has issued a clarion call for Nigerian politicians to adopt a principle-first approach, citing President Bola Tinubu’s historical loyalty to his party as the definitive model to follow.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bassey, who represented Cross River South in the 9th National Assembly, made these remarks during a press briefing in Calabar. His comments strike at the heart of a perennial issue in Nigerian politics: the phenomenon of ‘political nomadism,’ where elected officials frequently cross carpet for perceived short-term gain.
Bassey described President Tinubu as a figure of exceptional political constancy. “He remained loyal to one party in spite of having compelling reasons to defect,” the former lawmaker stated, highlighting a trait that has become increasingly rare. To provide crucial context, Bassey referenced pivotal moments in Nigeria’s political history. “In the 2003 elections, all South-West states politically moved to the PDP except Lagos, yet Tinubu, as Governor, did not move. We once had 28 PDP governors. What is happening in the APC now with defections is not new; it happened then on a massive scale, but Tinubu stood his ground.”
This stance, Bassey argued, was not born of a lack of opportunity but of deep-seated principle. “He had friends in the PDP and opportunities to defect, but he stood his ground. That is what I respect about him. If you copy someone, copy him well. I am copying Tinubu’s principled stance on defection.”
The Senator’s praise for Tinubu serves as a pointed backdrop to his own current political situation. Addressing swirling rumours about his own affiliation, Bassey clarified his position with a nuanced distinction. He affirmed he remains a “bona fide member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)” while simultaneously acknowledging an “interest in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.”
He framed his decision to stay with the PDP as “purely on the ground of principle and political conviction,” directly mirroring the quality he admires in the President. However, in a realistic admission reflective of Nigeria’s dynamic political landscape, Bassey added a caveat: “As a politician, I will never say never. I have not crossed to ADC. I am a sympathiser and a coalition member. For now, I remain in the PDP.” This statement underscores the delicate balance between unwavering principle and pragmatic political engagement.
Beyond the personal example, Bassey expanded his commentary to the health of the nation’s democracy itself. He emphasised that robust, multi-party democracy is essential for promoting good governance. His argument suggests that when politicians are driven by conviction rather than convenience, it elevates political discourse beyond mere power struggles. Politics, in his view, should fundamentally be about “delivering effective leadership” to the people—a goal undermined by constant, opportunistic defections that prioritize individual ambition over party ideology and voter mandates.
In essence, Senator Bassey’s call is for a return to a more stable, ideology-anchored political system. By holding up President Tinubu’s historical resilience as a benchmark, he is advocating for a political culture where loyalty, patience, and long-term strategic building within a party structure are valued over the immediate rewards of defection. This perspective challenges a prevailing trend and invites a necessary conversation about political integrity and its role in sustainable national development.
(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
ESI/KTO
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Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
