batch-1791056680 1791056680 Global Insights Law Journal publisher@gilawjournal.com Global Insights Law Journal Global Insights Law Journal 3141-5717 2026 1 1 Oluwafemi Olowononi Mohammed Mohammed The paper is an investigation into the practice of party defections and political instability, which is one of the major challenges to democracy in Nigeria and Africa in general. Politicians in Africa have continued to lay claims to their fundamental rights to freedom of association as a means of moving in and out of political groups at will, a development, though not alien to the political system, which is however gradually assuming a frivolous status, thus raising concerns in the build-up to general elections of Africa’s countries.The gale of defection in Nigeria and other countries is one that demands critical attention to preserve both the legal, political and even the moral sanctity of leadership in Africa. Election periods have always been the periods when politicians move from one party to the other looking for a ticket. This article therefore examines this political trend and its incidental issues in the light of the Constitutional provisions of selected countries in Africa as well as case laws on the matter.Is the trend healthy for the political leadership development in the continent? The paper examines the existing regulatory frameworks and clearly articulates on the lack of effective implementation of internal democracy within political parties in redressing this problem. The paper calls for concerted efforts of all stakeholders and proper implementation of the existing rules governing internal democracy within political groups. 2026 1 9 Trend Political Defection Doldrum