The Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Nsukka, Most Reverend Godfrey Onah, delivered a ferocious critique of Nigeria’s political class on Friday as he used the burial of former senator Okey Ezea to denounce the wave of post-election defections and what he described as the collapse of democratic accountability.
Preaching during the funeral rites, the outspoken cleric accused politicians of abandoning the parties that brought them to power without relinquishing their seats, warning that the practice is pushing the country toward a one-party state.
“These are very, very bad times for our country, Nigeria,” Onah said. “A number of people are now afraid that we are gliding gradually into a one-party state. I am one of those afraid.”
‘Party Wins, Politician Defects’
The bishop questioned the legitimacy of elected officials who switch political allegiance after winning office.
“This is the only country in the world that I know — not the only one that exists, but the one I know — where elections are conducted on the tickets of parties and the name and picture of the candidate do not appear,” he said.
“That candidate carries the banner of his party; they call him flag bearer. The party wins the election, he gets into office, changes his party and remains in power. Is it madness? I don’t understand it.”
Turning to lawmakers present at the ceremony, he challenged them directly.
“Senators who are here, if you do, explain it to me. We elected a party whose flag bearer is this, and you are no longer happy with the actions of that party. Leave the party and leave the office, and campaign for another position. That would be what I regard as legal.”
‘Platforms for Power, Not Ideology’
Onah argued that the problem goes beyond defections, insisting that Nigeria lacks ideologically grounded political parties.
“I have always said it publicly many times that in Nigeria we don’t have political parties based on ideologies. We have platforms for getting into power, remaining in power, having access to public funds, and sometimes, for some of them, platforms for avoiding prosecution after embezzlement,” he said.
He also pointed to the fluid movement of politicians across party lines.
“Let us mention names. How many of the people in APC now did not flow from PDP and other parties? And how many people in ADC now did not flow from other parties? Moving like fluid and gas between tanks without a return valve.”
‘Only One Arm of Government’
The cleric further warned of what he described as the erosion of checks and balances.
“The worst problem is that there are no longer three arms of government. There is now only one arm of government — the executive. The executive has absorbed both the judiciary and the legislature,” he said.
He dared legislators to assert their independence: “Prove me wrong if you can stop the borrowing of over 40 trillion naira that is already budgeted to finance the deficit. Prove me wrong if you can insist on electoral reform that will make our votes count. Prove me wrong if you can say no to the decisions of the executive.”
Referencing political tensions in Rivers State, he added, “You say, ‘I’m representing my people.’ Is it your people that put you in power? If it is the people that elect their leaders, go and ask what is happening in Rivers State.”
Onah concluded with concerns about the judiciary’s posture. “As for the judiciary, they are now singing the mantra of the executive because, you know, when a government in power so impoverishes the people that the only way to survive is to depend on the executive…”
His remarks at the solemn gathering quickly resonated beyond the funeral grounds, sparking renewed debate about party loyalty, political morality, and the state of Nigeria’s democracy.
