By Chibuike Nwabuko
In Nigerian politics, where loyalty often shifts like the wind, the recent appointment of Barrister Daniel Bwala by President Bola Tinubu offers a telling glimpse into the true nature of political opportunism. Bwala, who prior to the February 25, 2023 general election, vocally criticized Tinubu, labeling him a drug pusher, corrupt leader and all, has undergone a stunning transformation after securing a political position. His about-face raises fundamental questions about the values that drive some of the country’s political figures and underscores a growing trend1 of political opportunism, where principles seem to be discarded in favour of power and material gain.
Bwala’s criticisms of Tinubu were not subtle. During the heat of the 2023 elections, he openly labeled the president as part of the corrupt elite, even accusing him of criminal behaviour. However, despite his past attacks, Bwala now finds himself firmly entrenched within the very government he once vilified. This shift in allegiance—spurred, no doubt, by the promise of political patronage—suggests that Bwala’s previous criticisms were not borne out of a commitment to moral integrity or patriotism, but rather, a convenient means of positioning himself in the cutthroat world of Nigerian politics.
The most disheartening part of this spectacle is not just Bwala’s personal hypocrisy, but the broader pattern it represents. Many political figures, from Reno Omokri to others, have also engaged in similar acts of flip-flopping, changing their tunes when the winds of power blow in their favour. Omokri, once a fierce critic of Tinubu and his party, now appears willing to sing the praises of the president, suggesting that his earlier criticisms were driven less by principle and more by the strategic calculation of political expediency.
This lack of conviction, focus, and principle is emblematic of a larger problem within Nigerian politics. The reality is that many of these individuals are not driven by a deep commitment to the country’s well-being or to the advancement of its people. Instead, they are motivated by personal gain, seeking only to further their own careers and secure a share of the country’s political and financial resources. This is the essence of “stomach infrastructure” politics—a term often used to describe politicians who, in exchange for loyalty, provide material benefits to their supporters, no matter how hollow or unprincipled their support may be.
In this context, Bwala’s appointment can be viewed as a classic example of political pragmatism without integrity. Like many others, he is not motivated by any form of nationalistic passion or a desire to serve the people. Instead, he is content to abandon his past positions in exchange for political leverage and material gain. This, unfortunately, is not an isolated case; rather, it reflects the broader culture of political opportunism that permeates much of Nigerian politics.
What’s perhaps most troubling about this phenomenon is the impact it has on the political discourse in the country. Leaders who once criticized one another as corrupt or inept now sit together, sharing power and resources, without any meaningful dialogue about how to address the issues that continue to plague the country. The result is a political class that lacks the fortitude to push for meaningful change and is instead focused on personal survival and advancement. What’s more, they are willing to bend their principles, abandon their values, and engage in shameless praise-singing of those they once denounced—simply because they now have a stake in the system.
The true victims of this cycle are the Nigerian people, who are left to suffer the consequences of a political elite that prioritizes personal gain over genuine public service. Bwala’s appointment, along with those of others who have shifted allegiances for similar reasons, serve as a stark reminder of the political culture that continues to thrive in Nigeria—a culture where loyalty is determined by material gain rather than any deep sense of patriotism or principle.
As long as these opportunists continue to climb the political ladder, it is clear that the country’s struggle for good governance and meaningful reform will remain an uphill battle. Until politicians begin to place the interests of the people above their own ambitions, Nigeria’s political landscape will remain defined by turncoats and hagiographers, perpetuating a cycle of unprincipled, self-serving politics.
