As political alignments and realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, investigative journalist and National President of Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative, Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, has cautioned against vilifying politicians and supporters who choose to change political direction.
Ndukwe said political realignment remains a legitimate part of democratic participation, arguing that individuals should be free to pursue their convictions and aspirations without being subjected to insults, labels or emotional blackmail.
In a recent Facebook post titled, “Politics of Alignment and Realignment Happens from the Top to Bottom — Leaders and Followers Alike,” she questioned what she described as futile attempts by some people to condemn those who decide to take a different political path after years of loyalty and association.
Drawing an analogy from The Pilgrim’s Progress, Ndukwe said political journeys, like other aspects of life, could take unexpected turns and that “no one is restricted from shifting grounds.”
According to her, leadership should not be about attaining political prominence while permanently relegating supporters to the role of cheerleaders.
“The whole essence of being a leader is to get to the top and contribute your quota to nation-building, as well as upgrade your followers to the top and watch them do better, and not to keep them at the lower rung of the ladder as permanent cheerleaders who are fed with occasional crumbs,” she said.
She maintained that while followers and supporters are expected to demonstrate loyalty, such loyalty should not extinguish their individual ambitions or right to make independent political choices.
“Followers or supporters are expected to be loyal to the core, but not stupid. They also have the right to aspire to the top because every human being is ambitious,” she added.
Ndukwe observed that Nigeria’s political history is replete with leaders who have switched parties or political alliances, sometimes without consulting the followers expected to move with them.
She criticised what she described as a political culture in which followers are expected to accept their leaders’ decisions without question.
“Everyone is supposed to be mute and follow sheepishly. No! Not everyone would continue on this route,” she said.
According to her, some people are prepared to break with established political paths and take their chances elsewhere.
“There are those who have the courage to take a chance and, sometimes, they succeed when they do things differently,” she said.
Ndukwe also faulted the tendency to brand people as “hungry” or “betrayers” simply because they have altered their political allegiance or chosen to pursue a different course.
“It is unfortunate that people are labelled ‘hungry’ or ‘betrayers’ just because they have chosen to follow their convictions,” she said.
She advised those quick to condemn the political choices of others to examine their own records before passing judgement.
“Before you come to the post to defend or condemn anyone, make sure you have never been led by hunger or been a betrayer somewhere,” she stated.
Calling for greater tolerance of divergent political choices, Ndukwe invoked the Igbo proverb, “Mgbe onye tetara n’ura bụ ụtụtụ ya,” which translates roughly as, “Whenever one wakes from sleep is one’s morning.”
She said individuals arrive at political decisions at different times and for different reasons and should therefore be allowed to chart their own course without intimidation or emotional blackmail.
“Lastly, not everyone is led by hunger. Some are led by anger, while some are led by ambition,” Ndukwe said.
“In all, let the eagle perch and let the kite perch.”
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