Dele Momodu Advocates Ideological Basis for Political Defection

In a political landscape often marked by abrupt transitions and shifting loyalties, prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Dele Momodu has urged Nigerian politicians to ensure that defections are guided by logical reasoning and ideological alignment. Speaking in a recent interview with Arise News, Momodu shed light on his own journey across multiple political platforms, affirming that while defection is a democratic right, it must be grounded in purpose and principle.

The seasoned journalist, publisher, and former presidential aspirant reflected on his diverse political past, having moved from the Labour Party to the National Conscience Party (NCP), then to the All Progressives Congress (APC), before finally settling with the PDP. This trajectory, according to him, was driven not by personal gain or convenience, but by a quest for ideological compatibility and a viable platform for national service.

“There is nothing wrong… Anybody who knows me knows I am a democrat. I believe in freedom of speech, freedom of association and even freedom of movement. So you can move to wherever you like, but you must be able to defend your action,” Momodu explained.

He emphasized the importance of aligning political moves with personal and collective ideologies, rather than opportunism. In his view, politicians should be transparent about why they are switching camps and ensure that their decision resonates with the expectations and aspirations of their supporters.

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Ideology Should Guide Political Movement, Says Momodu

Momodu recalled how his ambition to contest the presidency initially began with the Labour Party. However, when he reached what he described as a “dead end” within the party, he felt compelled to reconsider his direction. It was then that consultations with his political team led him to the NCP — a party whose values, at the time, closely mirrored those he held.

“I once moved from Labour Party to National Conscience Party. What happened? I was a fledgling presidential candidate. And when I felt a roadblock, I reached a dead end. I had to consult my people, where do we go? Let’s look for a party that is similar in ideology to the one we are leaving. That is why we opted for the National Conscience Party at the time,” he said.

Despite contesting under the NCP banner and garnering around 26,000 votes nationwide, Momodu acknowledged the structural limitations of fringe parties. That experience, he said, was a turning point, leading him to understand that a broader, more robust political platform was crucial to achieving national political ambitions.

“Then we learned a lesson that it would be difficult for any fringe political party to win a presidential election. You need platforms, you need so many things to be able to achieve your dream,” he added, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure, reach, and electoral machinery in Nigeria’s political process.

Momodu’s subsequent move to the APC was driven by a wave of national hope centered around then-presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari. Like many Nigerians, he believed Buhari represented a credible alternative to the prevailing leadership at the time.

“We then isolated two main political parties in Nigeria. At the time that Buhari came, we all supported Buhari in 2014,” he recounted.

However, the optimism was short-lived. According to Momodu, the APC began to deviate from its foundational promises, prompting him to once again reevaluate his position. Disillusioned by the party’s direction, he made the decision to join the PDP, which he described as the more suitable platform for achieving his political goals.

“Then I decided APC was going in the wrong direction. So the only option I had to actualize my dream was PDP, that is why I joined PDP,” he concluded.

Momodu’s reflections offer an introspective look into the complex motivations behind party switching in Nigeria. His emphasis on ideological consistency and the need for strategic platforms speaks to the evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics, where public scrutiny and accountability are becoming increasingly significant.

As political realignment continues to shape Nigeria‘s democracy, voices like Momodu’s serve as a reminder that integrity and ideological clarity must underpin every political choice. In his view, defection should never be seen merely as a means to personal advancement, but as a deliberate step towards meaningful contribution to national development.