In a stark revelation that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, Dr. Usman Bugaje, a former presidential adviser and ex-lawmaker, has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of using financial inducements to lure key figures from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking candidly on Arise TV, Bugaje warned that this blatant monetization of politics could be a devastating blow to the democratic values Nigeria has fought so hard to preserve. His allegations, if proven true, suggest a dangerous trajectory for the future of the country’s democracy—one driven not by ideology or public service, but by raw cash and coercion.

A Damning Allegation with Grave Implications

Dr. Bugaje, no political novice, has decades of experience and significant ties to the corridors of power, lending his claims considerable weight. His assertion that the APC is using money to buy off members of the PDP is alarming, and it demands the attention of all Nigerians. If these claims are indeed accurate, then Nigeria is not merely grappling with a political crisis but witnessing a direct assault on the core of its democratic system. According to Bugaje, defections are happening not because of ideological alignment or policy agreements, but because of financial incentives and, disturbingly, threats of prosecution.

The latest defection from PDP to APC, which saw Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, along with an entire entourage of political appointees, join the ruling party, has further fueled suspicions. For many Nigerians, the sight of opposition figures crossing over like traders switching stalls in search of better deals paints a picture of a democracy reduced to a political marketplace. As Bugaje pointed out, money is now the deciding factor in who holds political allegiance, not shared values or a vision for the country’s future.

Monetary Coercion and the Weaponization of the EFCC

One of the most disturbing aspects of Dr. Bugaje’s revelations is the suggestion that some defections may be coerced through the threat of prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). If the ruling party is using state institutions, such as the EFCC, as tools for political manipulation, it would not only undermine the integrity of the fight against corruption but also weaponize the law for political gain.

Bugaje hinted at a scenario where the EFCC selectively targets opposition members, pressuring them with investigations and potential legal action until they agree to defect. Once they do, their alleged sins are forgiven, and they are welcomed into the APC fold as “born-again” politicians. This practice, if true, would be an outright betrayal of the fight against corruption and a dangerous erosion of trust in Nigeria’s legal and political institutions.

The Death of Opposition and the Rise of Dollar-Cracy

Another of Bugaje’s alarming observations is the near-complete collapse of a functioning opposition in Nigeria. The PDP, which has traditionally been a key player in Nigeria’s democratic process, seems to have lost its voice, its backbone, and its will to challenge the ruling party. The defection of high-profile figures like Minister Nyesom Wike, who initially played the PDP for personal gain before aligning with the APC, exemplifies this problem.

In a democracy, the role of the opposition is not just ceremonial; it is essential for ensuring accountability, scrutinizing government actions, and offering voters a choice between competing visions for the future. However, with opposition members being absorbed by the ruling party, often in exchange for money, Nigeria now faces the terrifying prospect of a hollow democracy—one where political loyalty is no longer based on ideology or principles but on financial transactions.

The Silence of Civil Society: Where Are the Voices of Reason?

What is perhaps most troubling is the deafening silence from institutions and civil society in response to these allegations. If, as Bugaje claims, money is being used to manipulate political loyalty and state institutions like the EFCC are being weaponized, where are the legal experts, the electoral watchdogs, the international observers, and most importantly, the Nigerian people?

The lack of widespread condemnation and action in the face of these claims suggests a disturbing complacency that could have disastrous consequences for Nigeria’s democracy. The failure to speak out against such brazen political maneuvering only normalizes the practice, setting a dangerous precedent for the future.

The Erosion of Democratic Norms and National Trust

The normalization of money in politics is not just an affront to democratic norms; it is a direct assault on the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. If political loyalty is for sale, if elections are won through financial transactions rather than ideas and vision, then Nigeria risks descending into a political culture where democracy is reduced to nothing more than a facade.

The short-term gains of swelling the ranks of the APC through defections may seem like a smart strategy for the ruling party, but it is a precarious one. A party built on political opportunism rather than ideological unity is bound to implode, as those who are bought today will jump ship when a higher bidder comes along. This creates a political system that is not only unstable but inherently corrupt.

A Call to Action: Resurrecting Nigeria’s Democracy

It is time for Nigerians to wake up and demand action. The normalization of financial inducements in politics must be stopped before it completely erodes the democratic foundations of the country. Transparency in political funding is essential, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be empowered to monitor political transactions and party financing, especially beyond election seasons. The EFCC must be held accountable to ensure it is not being used as a political tool to suppress dissent.

Nigerians must also rise above complacency. The price of democracy is eternal vigilance, and at this moment, that vigilance is sorely lacking. If this trend continues, Nigeria’s democracy will be irreparably damaged, and the people will be left with no voice in a political system driven by money, coercion, and impunity.

Dr. Bugaje’s warning is not one to be taken lightly. As he aptly puts it, “For as long as money is going to be the determining factor, then that is the end of democracy.” The question now is whether Nigeria will heed the alarm or allow its democracy to be sold to the highest bidder.