Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and convener of The Alternative, has proposed a major constitutional reform to stop frequent defections among Nigerian politicians.
In a policy paper released on Friday titled “Strengthening Political Parties as Pillars of Democracy”, Showunmi called for amendments to Nigeria’s constitution and electoral laws that will ensure political stability and party discipline.
He recommended that any elected official who defects from their political party should automatically lose their seat and be barred from contesting under another party for at least four years.
“The objective is to discourage political tourism and promote ideology-based politics,” he said. “Defectors should trigger a by-election and be banned from contesting for one full electoral cycle.”
To prevent opportunistic candidacies, Showunmi also proposed that anyone running for elective office must have been a registered member of their political party for a minimum of four years before the election.
He said this would help political parties properly vet candidates, reduce internal divisions, and ensure that elected officials remain loyal to party manifestos rather than personal ambitions.
He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to use centralized biometric databases to verify party membership duration, enforce disqualification for non-compliance, and promote public awareness on party ideologies.
Showunmi’s proposals come amid growing concerns over the frequent defections by politicians across party lines, especially after winning elections — a trend many believe weakens democracy and confuses voters.
