By Hassanat Adebowale
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Cross River State have raised concerns about the House of Assembly being dominated by a single political party. This follows Governor Bassey Otu’s recent commendation of the single-party composition of the Assembly.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Otu’s party, currently occupies all 25 seats in the Cross River State Assembly. Although some seats were initially won by candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, those members later defected to the APC. Additionally, Rita Ayim, who won the Ogoja State Constituency seat under the PDP, was removed by the court.
Dr. Macphelane Ejah, Executive Director of the International Training Research and Advocacy Project (ITRAP), expressed that a single-party legislature does not bode well for democracy. Ejah stressed that legislative representation should serve the interests of the people rather than glorify political parties. “The governor and members of the assembly do not represent their political party; they represent Cross River people. They should be seen serving the people’s interest,” Ejah stated.
Ejah urged legislators in Cross River to focus on promoting the welfare of the citizens instead of prioritizing party interests. He called for a shift away from petty party politics towards a more ideology-driven approach to governance. “Political parties shouldn’t just be platforms to pursue aspirations; they should uphold the ideologies upon which they are founded,” he added.
Richard Inoyo, Country Director of the Citizens’ Solution Network, echoed similar sentiments, criticizing the celebration of a single-party legislature in a democratic system. Inoyo argued that a single-party legislature stifles vibrant opposition, which is crucial for effective debate and policy analysis. “I think that this is dangerous. It means that as a state, we may not truly analyze government policies and review laws in the interest of the people,” he said.
The CSOs’ concerns highlight the importance of having a diverse and representative legislature to ensure robust discussions and balanced decision-making. They advocate for a political environment where multiple parties can contribute to the legislative process and hold the government accountable.
The Legal Corner
Under Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, lawmakers who switch parties from the one that sponsored their election are supposed to lose their seats. This rule has exceptions, though, if there’s a division within their party or their party merges with another. The recent defections in Cross River State raise some legal questions about whether these lawmakers actually met those conditions.
Party switching isn’t rare in Nigerian politics, but having no opposition at all in a state legislature goes against the spirit of a multi-party democracy. This is a core principle of Nigeria’s legal and political framework, and the lack of opposition could undermine the effectiveness of checks and balances in the government.
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