THE FAILURE; OPPOSITION PARTIES IN NIGERIA

by Odemuyiwa Olalekan
In politics, the opposition comprises one or more political parties or other organized groups that are opposed to the government. What a beautiful meaning to opposition parties with function and roles to say they are saddle with responsibilities and sense of belongings.

Before explaining why I termed Nigeria opposition parties a failure, it will be explained in detail their roles as opposition because even my girlfriend like being detailed always, that is on a lighter mood, and not forgetting the discourse which is so pressing for this.

The opposition’s main role is to 

question the government of the day and hold them accountable to the public because the most important jobs of the opposition is to constantly question the government as the government has to remain answerable to the public at all times, and a good opposition can put the spotlight on serious issues and have them resolved quickly. 

Opposition parties don’t have the same resources as the government and the executive so they have to work twice as hard to get the same results. Opposition parties should be concentrating on the issues that matter because there are some issues ‘sometimes caused by government negligence that become the opposition’s main platforms as issues help alternative government formation’. If you can find an issue on which all the non-government parties agree, then that will help with the job of forming an alternative government.

With the above analogy, one can say that opposition parties are a necessary devil for any country but in the Nigeria sense opposition party has lost its form and function but all that matter to them is how they will win the next coming election. So to say, in Nigeria we have to wait another four (4) years to see a new dimension of stealing and corrupt practices. It can further be deduce that all parties in Nigeria don’t have the interest of the masses as their impetus but only think of self enrichment.

Having a issue at hand in May of 2016 about the new petrol pump price which is a critical issue our opposition parties are silent about it and not acting as a check and balance for policies formulated by the government and since them once have a taste of power and have done nothing better make them loose the gut to fulfill their roles as an opposition parties and being termed a failure. This is to awake the role and purpose in opposition parties and stop being cowardice.

I wouldn’t stop without possible ways to awaken the opposition parties in Nigeria.

· Opposition parties can redeem themselves and gain people trust by not waiting till the next general election period before they can fight for us. ‘Election victory is always before election’.

· When critical issues for the betterment of the people are at hand always resent and not recant from showing dissatisfaction by means of raising petition, protest, strike and open door meeting failing to compromise.

· Lastly here, have it in mind about being the next in power as refer to the alternate government because government doesn’t belong to one.

- Odemuyiwa Olalekan