Opposition engage in war of words over who to hold ruling party accountable.

By Divine Sam

The article from Daily Trust reports on the current state of opposition parties in Nigeria, highlighting their disarray and struggles in holding the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) accountable. Several defections from key opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the APC have further weakened their influence in the National Assembly. This weakening of the opposition has been exacerbated by internal crises within the major opposition parties, such as the PDP, LP, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), leaving them unable to effectively challenge the government.

The article notes that opposition parties in Nigeria, like the PDP and LP, have become platforms for power rather than ideological entities. Critics argue that this lack of ideological foundation, coupled with weak internal party structures, has rendered them ineffective in deepening Nigeria’s democracy. Civil society leaders suggest that the opposition’s failure to offer viable alternatives to the ruling party contributes to the weakening of democratic checks and balances.

Furthermore, while opposition leaders defend their role as critics of government policies, their internal divisions and lack of coordination have limited their impact. The ruling APC has dismissed allegations that it is behind the opposition’s crises, suggesting that the opposition parties lack the political maturity needed to effectively challenge the government. Some analysts warn that this state of affairs could lead to a potential one-party dominance in the future.