CUPP Slams Political Defectors as Shameless Ahead of 2027

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has launched a blistering critique against the current wave of politicians defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a sharp assessment of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, the group characterized the trend as a betrayal of the democratic mandate and a sign of moral bankruptcy within the political class. The coalition’s leadership argued that the frequent switching of allegiances undermines the very essence of representative governance.

Appearing on Channels Television’s “Sunrise Daily” program on Monday, the Secretary-General of CUPP, Peter Ameh, did not hold back in his assessment of those crossing the carpet. He argued that politicians who abandon the parties under which they were elected display a profound lack of shame. According to Ameh, this behavior is a direct insult to the electorate who stood in line to vote for a specific manifesto and a specific alternative to the ruling party.

Ameh highlighted the logical and ethical inconsistency of campaigning vigorously against a party, only to join it once the election cycle concludes. He noted that during the heat of the campaign, these individuals presented themselves as the antithesis of the APC. To pivot toward that same party after winning or losing under a different banner suggests that the original campaign promises were hollow or that the candidates have no genuine ideological core.

The CUPP scribe raised a provocative point regarding the validity of mandates held by defectors. He suggested that unless an individual admits to rigging their way into office, they must acknowledge that the voters intentionally bypassed the APC to choose them. By joining the party the voters rejected, the politician is essentially nullifying the will of the people who put them in a position of power. It is, as Ameh puts it, a question of fundamental morality in public service.

This trend of “carpet-crossing” has long been a feature of Nigerian politics, but CUPP warns that its intensification ahead of the 2027 general elections is particularly damaging. The coalition believes that such moves prioritize personal political survival and greed over the national interest. When politicians move toward the center of power to secure their own futures, the role of the opposition is weakened, and the democratic system loses its necessary checks and balances.

Reflecting on the 2023 general elections, Ameh expressed a mix of frustration and hope. He acknowledged that while the Nigerian people showed a significant desire for change at the polls, the existing political structures were often insufficient to protect and defend that collective will. This structural weakness, he argued, allows defectors to act with impunity, knowing there are few immediate consequences for abandoning their party and their voters.

Despite the current climate of opportunism, CUPP is calling on the Nigerian populace to remain resilient and engaged. Ameh urged citizens not to give up on the democratic process, stressing that the country deserves a much higher standard of leadership than it is currently receiving. He encouraged voters to “go to the next level” by not only casting their ballots but also holding their representatives accountable for the duration of their terms.

The coalition’s stance serves as a rallying cry for a more principled form of politics. By labeling defectors as “shameless,” CUPP is attempting to spark a national conversation about political ethics and the need for stronger anti-defection laws. The group maintains that until there are real consequences for switching parties—such as the automatic forfeiture of a seat—the Nigerian electorate will continue to be treated as a secondary thought by the political elite.

As the road to 2027 becomes clearer, the rhetoric from groups like CUPP indicates that the battle for the soul of Nigerian democracy is far from over. The coalition remains adamant that the future of the nation depends on a citizenry that is awake to the maneuvers of its leaders and a political class that respects the sanctity of the ballot. For now, the spotlight remains on the APC’s growing ranks and the moral price of their expansion.