{"id":12447,"date":"2025-02-10T12:45:54","date_gmt":"2025-02-10T12:45:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/?p=12447"},"modified":"2025-02-10T12:47:46","modified_gmt":"2025-02-10T12:47:46","slug":"thoughts-on-the-opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/2025\/02\/10\/thoughts-on-the-opposition\/","title":{"rendered":"Thoughts on the Opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"

By<\/strong>\u00a0Dakuku\u00a0Peterside<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like other liberal democracies,\u00a0Nigeria\u2019s democratic system thrives on the existence of a vibrant and functional opposition. However, the current state of our political parties, as I discussed in a recent television appearance, is concerning. One of the key parameters to measure the efficacy of a political party is its\u00a0organisational\u00a0capacity and policy choices. Unfortunately,\u00a0these elements are acutely lacking both in the ruling party and the opposition.\u00a0Today,\u00a0this column addresses the opposition\u2019s role in deepening democracy.<\/p>\n

An effective opposition serves as a watchdog, providing checks and balances to the ruling party while offering alternative policies that enhance governance. However, in the nearly two years since the 2023 general elections, Nigeria\u2019s opposition has been largely dormant, fragmented, and ineffective. This situation demands immediate attention and action.<\/p>\n

The absence of a strong opposition has left Nigeria\u2019s democracy vulnerable to unchecked executive power, resulting in governance that often lacks accountability. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has faced minimal resistance in executing its policies, which has, in turn, weakened democratic engagement. The lack of credible opposition has led to a decline in democratic norms and a slide to \u201celectoral autocracy.\u201d This is\u00a0neither\u00a0inthe best interest of democratic consolidation nor the Nigerian people.<\/p>\n

In contrast, in other African democracies, such as South Africa, the opposition has played a more significant role in holding the ruling party accountable. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) continuously challenge the African National Congress (ANC), demonstrating the impact of a functional opposition. The Nigerian opposition must regain footing to ensure a balanced and competitive political landscape. A diverse political landscape is not just a luxury; it\u2019s a necessity for a healthy democracy. The potential for change is within reach, and it\u2019s up to the opposition to make it a reality.<\/p>\n

Opposition parties have failed to articulate distinct policy alternatives, leaving governance unchallenged and unresponsive to citizens\u2019 needs. Without meaningful policy debates, decisions are made that lack depth, often without proper scrutiny or public engagement. For example, when President\u00a0Bola\u00a0Tinubu removed fuel subsidies in 2023, opposition parties failed to present an alternative plan, leaving civil society groups to lead\u00a0protests against\u00a0the consequential economic hardship.<\/p>\n

The opposition space in Nigeria has remained fractured, allowing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to operate with little or no alternative voices and cruising as the political Octopus. APC has effectively established itself as the dominant political force, often unchallenged in policymaking and governance. The failure of opposition parties to unite under a common goal has further entrenched APC\u2019s political control, making governance almost a one-party affair.<\/p>\n

One of the most frequently cited reasons for the opposition\u2019s weakness is Nigeria\u2019s patronage-based political culture, often referred to as \u2018stomach infrastructure.\u2019 This term encapsulates the tendency of politicians to\u00a0prioritise\u00a0personal gain and short-term benefits over long-term policy engagement. In such an environment, voters are more likely to support politicians who provide immediate material rewards rather than those advocating for institutional reforms. This system disproportionately\u00a0favours\u00a0the ruling party, which controls state resources and uses them to maintain loyalty. A 2022 survey by Afrobarometer revealed that over 40% of Nigerian voters admitted to receiving financial or material incentives from politicians before elections, underscoring the deep entrenchment of patronage politics. This trend is evident in many states, where political parties rely heavily on financial inducements to secure electoral victories.<\/p>\n

The PDP, once Nigeria\u2019s dominant political force, has suffered from internal divisions, sabotage and ineffective leadership. Under Umar\u00a0Damagum\u2019suninspiring leadership, the party has become\u00a0factionalised, with many state chapters experiencing disunity. Instead of acting as a formidable opposition, the PDP appears to be an extension of the ruling party, unable to\u00a0mobilise\u00a0effectively against APC\u2019s policies. Defections by key PDP figures to the ruling party have further weakened its national standing and influence.<\/p>\n

LP and NNPP, which emerged as alternative forces in the 2023 elections, are embroiled in leadership crises. The\u00a0Labour\u00a0Party, which garnered significant support from young and urban voters, struggles with internal disputes, legal battles, and power struggles. Similarly, NNPP faces significant internal crises at the national and Kano state levels. The absence of institutional structures and the prevalence of patronage politics have weakened these parties, making them ineffective in consolidating opposition forces.<\/p>\n

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There is widespread suspicion that APC uses state resources to co-opt opposition leaders through inducements or coercion. Some opposition figures are believed to have been compromised, leading to a lack of trust in the opposition\u2019s leadership. When opposition leaders are seen as moles or agents of the party in power, it undermines their ability to present a serious challenge to the ruling party.<\/p>\n

The National Assembly, which should serve as an oversight body, has become a \u201crubber stamp\u201d for the Executive. Opposition lawmakers have failed to challenge government policies effectively, allowing even the most controversial bills to pass without robust debate.\u00a0The gale of\u00a0opposition lawmakers\u2019 defections to the ruling party has further exposed our opportunistic politics.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the APC-controlled National Assembly drowned out any form of alternative voices. This has further entrenched the APC\u2019s dominance, as policies are implemented without meaningful alternative options. In 2024, the National Assembly passed multiple overlapping supplementary budgets with minimal scrutiny, raising concerns about the legislature\u2019s independence.<\/p>\n

Despite the current dormancy, there are emerging signs of opposition figures regrouping. Recent socio-political gatherings have brought together opposition leaders and dissenting voices within the APC who share common criticisms of President Bola Tinubu\u2019s neoliberal policies. \u00a0One of such events was the two day national conference on strengthening democracy organised by Centre-LSD and other civil society organizations.\u00a0These events indicate the potential for new alliances ahead of future elections. If effectively\u00a0mobilised, this could begin a stronger, more unified opposition movement, which would be good for democratic consolidation.\u00a0For example, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and\u00a0Labour\u00a0Party\u2019s Peter Obi have recently been seen attending similar political events, sparking speculation about a possible alliance for the 2027 elections. The recent meeting between Kwankwaso and Aregbesola has been argued as being unsettling to the ruling party.<\/p>\n

PDP seems to be bending the corner in its perennial internal conflicts. The parties BOT and the governor\u2019s forum have jointly taken a stance on the crisis of who the National secretary is. They are working hard to resolve the many cases in court and gain the public\u2019s confidence as a serious party, but whether this will succeed is another matter. The\u00a0Labour\u00a0Party, the country\u2019s second leg of strong opposition, faces a significant internal crisis.\u00a0Abure-led Executive and the party\u2019s\u00a0galvanising\u00a0forces led by the party\u2019s personality emblem, Peter Obi, are on different lanes. There is no love lost between all key actors in the party.\u00a0Today, the\u00a0Labour\u00a0Party is a shadow of its 2023 form that rattled the ruling party.<\/p>\n

For the opposition to be taken seriously, it must bring together reform-minded elements from the PDP, progressive factions of the\u00a0Labour\u00a0Party and NNPP, and disillusioned APC members. This coalition should not be built on personal ambition but on a shared vision and clear ideological principles that differentiate it from APC.<\/p>\n

Beyond mere criticism of the ruling party, the opposition must invest in policy research and articulate superior governance strategies. Highlighting the failures of APC is not enough; opposition leaders must provide viable alternatives that resonate with the electorate. This requires intellectual\u00a0rigour\u00a0and extensive\u00a0economic, security, and governance engagement. A 2023 report by SBM Intelligence indicated that 70% of Nigerians believe that opposition parties fail to present clear economic policies, reinforcing the need for a well-articulated alternative governance strategy.<\/p>\n

Additionally, smaller parties, which currently lack the national reach to be impactful, must be incorporated into a broader opposition framework. Although these small parties represent distinctive voices and ideologies, they must align under a bigger opposition ideology that will be sold to the people to challenge the ruling party at the\u00a0centre. That is the only way they can make a meaningful impact on politics at the\u00a0centre.<\/p>\n

A successful opposition must go beyond elite politics and engage directly with the grassroots. Without a strong grassroots presence, any opposition movement will struggle to gain widespread legitimacy and support.<\/p>\n

The opposition\u2019s survival and relevance in Nigeria depend on unity, strategic policymaking, and grassroots engagement. A fragmented and ineffective opposition only strengthens APC\u2019s dominance, undermining democratic accountability. However, the signs of reawakening provide hope that a more vigorous opposition could emerge in the coming years. For this to\u00a0materialise, opposition leaders must\u00a0prioritise\u00a0coalition-building, develop apparent policy alternatives, and engage in extensive grassroots\u00a0mobilisation. Only through these efforts can Nigeria\u2019s democracy be\u00a0revitalised, ensuring a governance system that is responsive to the needs of its people.<\/p>\n

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By\u00a0Dakuku\u00a0Peterside Like other liberal democracies,\u00a0Nigeria\u2019s democratic system thrives on the existence of a vibrant and functional opposition. However, the current<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12449,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12447"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12451,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12447\/revisions\/12451"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12449"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thenewsnow.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}