As Vito Corsica Deck Holds Barracuda Feast
The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) has expressed concern over the recent wave of political defections, warning that such actions could have serious consequences for the nation’s democratic experience.
At its 2025 Feast of Barracuda, convoked by NAS Vito Corsica, Seadogs, also known as the Pyrate Confraternity, congregated scholars to reflect on how political defections impede strategic management in governance.
Their concerns stemmed from the increasing wave of political defections; a development they feared could lead to the erosion of institutional knowledge, loss of expertise, weakening of democratic values, and the suppression of dissenting voices.
At the feast, the member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, emphasized the timeliness of the event as it seeks to provide a veritable platform for scholars, policymakers and public officeholders to discuss critical national issues.
“I charge you participants to pay rapid attention and participate on the issues to the issues at hand. I also applaud the association for its impact on society. Your impact has been felt in all areas of our national history, whether socioeconomic, moral, or political.
Meanwhile, the Keynote Speaker, the Vice-Chancellor of Dennis Osadebay University (DOU) Asaba, Prof Ben Oghojafor, stressed the significance of accountability by political leaders.
Speaking on the topic “How Political Defections in Nigeria Impedes the Accumulation of Strategic Management Experience in Government” Oghojafor said:
‘’Regardless of the reason for sustaining such defections, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that these have continued to erode public trust, undermine democratic institutions, negatively impact governance, blur policy distinction and weaken opposition parties.
“The phenomenon of political defection, if left unchecked will continue to impede the accumulation of strategic management experience in Nigeria. We must recognise that good governance is not the product of perpetual political motion but of stability, continuity, and the steady accumulation of knowledge and expertise.
‘’Let us, therefore, commit ourselves whether as politicians, civil servants, academics or citizens to building institutions that value experience, reward integrity and prioritise the long-term interest of our great nation’’ he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government Area, Dr Kelvin Ezenyili, represented by the Director of Legal Service in the local government council, Barr Ndidi Nwulu, harped on the need for fiscal autonomy at the local government level.
Ezenyili asserted ‘’ the implementation of fiscal autonomy in Delta State local government, needless of the Supreme Court judgement, is evident with the plethora of projects across all the 25 local government councils.
Earlier, the Capoon of Vito Corsica Deck, Comrade Michael Nwaidei, gave a brief history of the Feast of Barracuda (FoB). “This is an annual event hosted by all the branches within a timeframe. It is a civil dialogue to brainstorm and analyze national issues and challenges.
“The Feast of Barracuda is a civic policy; the selection of topics for each of (FoB) was deliberate, focusing on issues that demand immediate attention and thoughtful intervention such as political instability, economic hardship, security concerns, and environmental degradation,” he said.
