A former House of Representatives member, Adekunle Akinlade, has warned critics to stop shaming defecting public officeholders and politicians, insisting that jumping ship from one political party to another is not an act of betrayal.
Akinlade also warned that the 2027 general elections will no longer be ‘business as usual.’
He disclosed this at a media parley held in Abuja on Saturday.
He said, “Defections are not betrayals. They are signals of progress.”
The former Ogun State governorship aspirant added that party-switching is a necessary response to internal dysfunction and ideological disconnection.
“There is no constitutional crime in switching political allegiance. What matters is the reason. When a platform no longer reflects your mission or your people’s interests, you move.”
Continuing, Akinlade described the next presidential race as one that will test Nigeria’s political intelligence and ideological stamina.
The lawmaker predicted that there would be a shift in public expectations and political benchmarks.
He also argued that 2027 will usher in a new era of issue-based politics and rigorous voter scrutiny.
The former legislator described the coming election as a contest between incumbent power and a rising opposition movement but warned that personality politics must give way to performance-based campaigns.
“This time, it will be policy over personality now. Nigerians won’t just vote for who they like; they’ll vote for who has a plan. We’re now in an era where performance matters more than personality,” he said.
“Nigerians are wiser now. The next election will be about ideas, not identities. Those who want power must bring clear, workable policies, not just promises,” Akinlade said.
Akinlade also challenged young Nigerians to engage in the political process not just through criticism, but through informed participation and contributions to nation-building.
The lawmaker, considered an influential voice in Ogun State politics, vowed that he will continue to advocate for reforms, inclusion, and institutional credibility.
He added, “We may be divided by party lines, but the mission is the same: to rescue Nigeria and rebuild it. The country must win, more than any politician or party.”
