Sabuwar Tafiya “A New Movement or a Road to Repetition” What is the true meaning of this new journey? And who is it truly for?
In the just Nigeria’s political landscape, some things are more constant than the changing colours of party flags. Looking at the recent massive wave of political defections, alignments, and the sudden new movements , what some have branded as Sabuwar Tafiya, has once again resurfaced as politicians, from the national to the local levels, switch allegiances with remarkable ease.
But as citizens and voters, especially those at the grassroots, we must pause and ask: What is the true meaning of this new journey? And who is it truly for?
Realignments in politics are not inherently wrong, because, in any healthy democracies, ideological reconfigurations and coalition-building are part of political growth.
However in Nigeria, history teaches us that most of these “new journeys” are not about the people; they are about personal interests, ambition, and calculated access to power, often reflecting a politics of betrayal, deception, and elite recycling rather than transformation.
Take for example the 2014 merger that produced the All Progressives Congress (APC). It was marketed as a “new beginning,” a patriotic reformation to rescue Nigeria.
That same merger brought to power leaders who, in retrospect, lacked the competence, vision, and commitment required to lead a complex nation. From the highest office in the land to some of the worst performing governors and state assembly members, the “SAK” (follow-follow) mantra swept individuals into office solely on the basis of loyalty to the merger, not initially on merit or credibility.
Today, a similar wave is forming another merger, another “Sabuwar Tafiya.” Once again, old faces are rebranding, defectors are returning to former rivals, and failed officeholders are now promising new beginnings.
The question is: Have they changed, or are they just changing direction?
A glaring example of this deception lies in the actions of former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika, a product of the previous merger. In 2023, Sirika orchestrated the unveiling of a so-called “Nigerian Air” that turned out to be a charade. The aircraft was rented from another airline, repainted with Nigerian colours, and presented as a national carrier.
That moment was not just a severe deception, it was really a metaphor for how scandal has become institutionalized in our political culture. “A fake plane for a fake promise”. That single episode captured the spirit of Nigeria’s political theatre: performance without substance.
It is therefore not enough to announce a “Sabuwar Tafiya.” We must interrogate who is leading it and what values they bring along. Is it a journey towards transparency and justice, or merely another ticket to political survival?
We as Nigerians have been here too many times. We have seen “change,” “renewed hope,” “rescue mission,” and “new direction.” such all came with beautiful slogans, and all ended in disappointment.
True transformation is not about slogans but about workable settings, not just limited to such, but about such spheres of institutions that work, leaders who are accountable, and citizens who are posted.
Unfortunately, many of those beating the drums of this new journey were once architects of the system they now criticize especially with key players and healthy as that sheik mal. Nasir Elrufai. Their sudden repentance sounds more like strategy than sincerity, as many often said.
At the local level, these movements often result in unnecessary tension among followers who are as well manipulated into blind loyalty. Communities divide over politicians who dine together in private while pretending to be enemies in public.
Young people are used as foot soldiers for battles that bring them no benefit, while at the end, the same political class rotates power among themselves while the masses remain trapped in poverty and frustration.
I grounded my point on this, meaning I am not opposing “Sabuwar Tafiya” blindly, but we must approach it with intense scrutiny and civic awareness.
Many of the actors spearheading these movements do not represent reform; they represent continuity of political opportunism. Their urgency to switch parties is often driven by fear of irrelevance or desperation for power, not literally by a genuine desire to serve the masses.
As 2027 approaches, politicians will again flood the airwaves with promises. Some will return to the communities they abandoned, carrying bags of rice and fake empathy. They will smile, hug, and speak the language of the people, however, soon after the elections, they will vanish again, until the next journey returns.
To the voters, especially those at the lower levels of political participation most open your eyes, reflect, and question. Not every “new beginning” is truly new. Not every loud voice is sincere. Not every familiar name deserves a second chance.
The same people who betrayed your trust yesterday are now returning with new slogans. Will you trust them again without accountability?
The road onto 2027 begins now, not with rallies, but with reflection. Let us not be deceived by drama, enticed by empty promises, or swept away by slogans.
Let us vote wisely, demand performance over propaganda, and hold history as our mirror. If we must embark on any “Sabuwar Tafiya,” let it be a journey of the people driven by honesty, civic awareness, and a renewed demand for good governance.
In regard to this, if this new journey is not about us, then it is not new at all. It is the same old road only with a fresh coat of paint.
