THE CURRENT STATE OF NIGERIA

As we all know Nigeria is not in its best of times, as it is currently experiencing an economy recession and Naira has depreciated badly against foreign currencies.
There is also an increased rate of debt, unemployment And Inflation

As a silver lining in Nigeria’s cloud, the rate of insurgency and terrorism has been reduced by the help of our gallant soldiers and 21 of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls were released. Nigeria has also been able to bring some corrupt persons to justice through the EFCC. The Department of State Security (DSS) has recently arrested 7 allegedly corrupt judges, which has been trending on the news till now. Nigeria’s Chief Justice Condemned DSS Sting Operation As Assault On Judiciary.

Some Nigerians think the corruption fight under Buhari’s administration is restricted to non-APC members making it a “witch hunt” to bring down oppositions while some Nigerians don’t believe it and think it’s the necessary thing to do.

WHY A STRONG OPPOSITION PARTY IS NEEDED

You may ask, What about the PDP? Well the stats say it all. PDP is no longer a strong opposition party in Nigeria. PPD started falling from the general elections in 2015 where APC became the dominant party in Nigeria.

The recent elections in Edo and Ondo state also prove this, despite the economy hardship currently experienced in the country, Nigerians still voted APC in, WHY? This is because APC seems to be a better choice to Nigerians compared to PDP. Some Nigerians blame the current hardship in the country on PDP’s incompetence and mismanagement in past years.

If PDP is not a strong opposition to APC, then no party in Nigeria currently is. This is the main reason Nigeria needs a strong opposition party to uphold good governance and democracy.
Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli once said, ” No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition”

A strong opposition party has roles that are vitally important to the democratic process of a country.

IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG OPPOSITION PARTY

– To check and balance the ruling party, holding them accountable and answerable to the public, a good opposition can put serious issues on the spotlight and have them resolved quickly.

– Having a strong opposition party gives citizens a viable choice in elections to replace the ruling party, If there was a better choice for Nigerians in the Edo and Ondo state elections, I am sure Nigerians will not hesitate to vote such party in. Without the ability of citizens to choose a viable choice to replace the ruling party, democratic right will become ineffective and the ruling party accountability to the citizens will be ultimately diminished.

– A strong opposition party not only ensure good governance and democracy, it also helps to develop a country’s in so many ways. For instance, if PDP tries to question the ruling party about the current state of the nation, APC will blame PDP for the hardship we find ourselves in and the blaming continues… This makes no push or pressure for development at all but if a strong and better opposition with good deeds rises, questions the ruling party and tries to make them answerable to the public, puts a lot of pressure on the ruling party to make swift amendments to pending issues in the country, because not doing that can make the ruling party lose support and interest of the citizens.

I will end this article with the quote, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely”

Thank you!