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In 2006, during the National Population Census exercise, I was posted to Lagos State as a Supervisor.
At that time, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was serving as the Governor of Lagos State.
Many of us who had been posted for the exercise were given an outdoor accommodation at the NYSC Orientation Camp .
There was tension and uncertainty among officials, especially concerning security challenges and the activities of area boys in some parts of Lagos.
One evening, at about 5:00 p.m., Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited the camp to encourage the census officials.
During his interaction with us, he made a statement that has remained in my memory ever since.
According to him, "We politicians are like chameleons; we are tentative and subject to change."
He also provided financial support to the officials, giving each person ₦5,000, which was a significant amount at that time.
The period was politically turbulent. Governor Tinubu was engaged in a major political disagreement with President Olusegun Obasanjo over the creation of additional local council development areas in Lagos State.
As a result, federal allocations to Lagos were reportedly withheld for a considerable period.
Yet Lagos survived and continued to function, demonstrating resilience amid political conflict.
The Governor's comparison of politicians to chameleons has become increasingly relevant in Nigeria's political landscape.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, political defections have become one of the defining characteristics of Nigerian politics.
Politicians frequently move from one party to another, often citing ideology, national interest, or the welfare of their constituents.
However, many Nigerians believe that personal ambition, political survival, and access to power are often the real motivations.
Examples abound. Several governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state legislators have switched political parties multiple times.
Political alliances that seem impossible today may become reality tomorrow.
Bitter rivals often become close allies, while trusted allies suddenly become opponents. In many cases, politicians who once strongly criticized a political party later join the same party and become its strongest defenders.
The phenomenon is not limited to politicians alone. Nigerian voters also exhibit chameleon-like tendencies.
Public opinion can shift rapidly depending on economic conditions, ethnic considerations, religious sentiments, political promises, or immediate personal interests.
Many citizens support policies or leaders today and oppose them tomorrow if circumstances change. Loyalty in politics is often temporary and conditional.
This reality raises important questions about political ideology and national development.
In established democracies, political parties are generally defined by clear ideological positions and policy directions.
In Nigeria, however, party defections often occur without significant differences in policy beliefs.
The result is that political competition frequently revolves around personalities rather than principles.
Nevertheless, change itself is not always negative. Just as a chameleon changes colour to adapt and survive, political change can sometimes bring progress, reconciliation, and national unity.
Defections may occasionally promote stability, broaden political participation, or help leaders pursue new visions for governance.
The challenge is ensuring that such changes serve the public interest rather than individual ambitions.
Regarding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, many of his supporters often describe his political journey using the Hausa expression: "Ba shi ya kar Zomon ba, rataya aka ba shi," ,
Whether one agrees with this assessment or not, his rise from governor to president remains one of the most remarkable political journeys in contemporary Nigeria.
The chameleon remains a fitting symbol for Nigerian politics. Politicians change parties, alliances shift, and political calculations evolve with time.
While adaptation is a natural part of politics, Nigerians must continue to demand accountability, consistency, and service from their leaders.
Political change should be driven by the desire to improve the lives of citizens rather than by personal gain.
As Nigeria's democracy matures, the hope is that political actors will embrace principles over convenience and national development over self-interest.
Until then, the chameleon will continue to be one of the most visible symbols of Nigerian political syndrome.