Cross Carpeting in Nigeria: Implications for Nigerian Democracy
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32350/lpr.52.01Keywords:
cross-carpeting, democracy, governance, party defection, political instabilityAbstract
Carpeting is significantly increasing in the Nigerian political terrain. The impacts of cross carpeting or party defection, as it is usually referred as, are thoroughly reviewed in this paper. The paper also examines its effects on the elected politicians, particularly the legislators who defect from the political parties upon which they were elected. The paper also analyzes how frequent defections of politicians from the political parties upon which they were elected affect public trust and confidence in democratic institutions and political stability. The paper further analyzes the relevant provisions of the constitution and actions of the politicians in explaining the problems arising from defection. These problems include loss of effective representation, the deterioration of legislative quality and the impediment to democratic advancement. As part of the major findings of this paper, the researcher revealed that while cross carpeting has its place in a democratic society, its current practice in Nigeria poses significant risks to the democratic process. The paper recommended legal reforms for the effective management of politics within a party. The paper concluded that the absorbent nature of cross carpeting can be addressed through legislative and institutional reforms aimed towards strengthening the country’s democracy.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Adekunle Saheed Abiola
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