LAGOS, Nigeria — A campaign poster featuring Hon. Achief Thaddeus Attah under the New Democratic Congress (NDC) banner has triggered intense criticism across Lagos State, with constituents labelling the lawmaker a political chameleon due to his rapid floor-crossing ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Attah, who represents the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, is facing severe pushback from the voters who originally elected him into office on a wave of opposition fervor.
The 2023 Shock Victory
Attah rose from relative political obscurity during the 2023 general elections. Capitalizing on the “Obidient” political wave and the Labour Party’s (LP) “top-to-bottom” voting momentum, he pulled off a stunning electoral upset by defeating high-profile candidates Olubankole “Banky W” Wellington of the PDP and the incumbent Babajide Obanikoro of the APC.
The APC Era and the Signature Cap
The honeymoon period with his original support base soured quickly. Shortly after securing his seat, Attah reportedly aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Critics labeled him the unofficial “choir master” of the APC’s slogans, pointing out that he frequently donned and flaunted variations of President Bola Tinubu’s signature Asiwaju cap—a move viewed by his constituents as a direct betrayal of his mandate.
The Chain of Defections: LP to APC, ADC, and NDC
As the current political cycle intensifies, Attah’s ideological journey has taken several dizzying turns:
- The Exit from Labour: Attah officially dumped the Labour Party after leaning heavily into the ruling party’s camp.
- The Detour to ADC: He briefly aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following his stint with the APC.
- The Arrival at NDC: Within a short period, the lawmaker moved again, unveiling his latest campaign materials under the New Democratic Congress (NDC).
Public Backlash over “Chameleon” Politics
Voters in the Eti-Osa constituency have expressed deep frustration with the lawmaker’s fluid loyalties. Social media commentators note that after alienating his original base to sing praises for the APC, Attah has recently attempted to pivot back toward Peter Obi’s popularity and opposition rhetoric to save his political career.
Critics argue that his promises of a “change of heart” and vows to discard his collection of APC caps are opportunistic maneuvers designed purely for electoral survival rather than a genuine commitment to ideological governance.
