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date: 24 September 2023

cross carpeting

Source:
A Dictionary of African Politics
Author(s):

Nic Cheeseman,

Eloïse Bertrand,

Sa’eed Husaini

cross carpeting 

A colloquial term meaning to move from one political party to another, commonly used in Nigeria. The practice and hence the term are often associated with leaving one party in the hope of securing a better position or greater personal wealth with another. It is closely related to, and is probably derivative of, floor-crossing. Similar phrases that are used in francophone Africa include nomadisme politique and transhumance.