Defections by politicians ahead of 2023 elections can cause violence and overheat the polity, the former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, has said.
Represented by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, Abdulsalami said this on Thursday at the launch of the Peace and Inclusive Security Initiative by governors in Abuja.
He outlined the danger of realignment by politicians ahead of the 2023 general election, emphasising that change of parties by politicians could destabilise the country.
“These acts of defections cause violence and overheat the polity because of a simple act of one politician. These decisions spur violence and crisis.”
Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle Bello is the third governor to join APC in 2021.
He was preceded by Cross River State Governor Ben Ayade, and Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi.
The British High Commissioner in Nigeria, who also spoke at the occasion, warned that the democratic process and the 2023 general elections could be destabilised if the crisis facing the country is not resolved on time.
He advocated urgent reforms in the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force, stressing that the use of forces cannot resolve the security challenges facing Nigeria.
