Opinion: When Opposition Goes Wrong by Awosusi Opeyemi

For so long the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been marauded with leadership crisis. This is however not uncommon to the party as it has always been inflicted with one party crisis or the other, from the onset. The pioneer chairman of the PDP served for just three months due to the inordinate quest for power by some individuals in the party.

Fast forward to the present day Nigeria, one would only wonder if there is any opposition party in the country at all. This is not farfetched from the fact that the PDP which is supposed to be the paradigm of critical evaluation and subtle opposition of the government in power has not been able to put its house in order; one can only liken the PDP to a toothless tiger which only roars but  cannot subtly, and out of Nigeria's loyalty, critically appraise and help to set the APC-led government back on track whenever the need arises.

Several loyalists of the APC have argued that the government in power is the choice of the people - this no doubt, is the beauty of Democracy. However the question to ponder on is "What measures are in place to ensure the sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria?". We must not be too quick to commit the fallacy that Democracy is all about exercising our rights, indeed it is about adequate and efficient representation of the masses.

In a situation where the APC has been voted into power and they have relented in ensuring the adequate security and welfare of poor Nigerians, which is the primary function  of every government, the PDP wallowed in a play of political agility and sociological ignorance. Several persons have hoped to see the PDP help in putting the APC-led government on its toes; this hope has not only been shattered, but an exclusive mirage. Parties are more interested in playing bitter politics than clamour for the good of the people. How pathetic!

Heavyweight looters and perpetual law breakers cross-carpet to the APC everyday to enrich their pockets which confirms the yoruba sage saying that 'owo epo l'araye n bani la, won o ki n bani la owo eje' literarily meaning 'the world only stays with you when the going gets smooth'. This further reminds me of the popular song by the pop star,  Lil kesh that "NO FAKE LOVE". The political parties in Nigeria have successfully failed in serving as vital tools for a purpose-driven country, when it is time for elections, the party candidates buy roasted corn from the streetside just to 'acclimatize' with the people: indeed, this is fake love.

One could begin to wonder if cross-carpeting has aided our country at all, well, this is a discourse for another blessed day.

It is pretty saddening that opposition parties in the country always refuse to work hand-in-hand with the ruling party and prefer to sabotage efforts of the government in power: the so called ``watchdog`` function they claim to perform is a sheer opium of the masses.

Of recent did the supreme court declare Makarfi the substantive chairman of the PDP in a suit filed by Ali-Modu Sheriff, his PDP rival; although Sheriff's faction claims the judgement to be morally unjust, the law is absolute! It is high time the opposition parties in Nigeria began to perform their watchdog duties and work together with any government in power rather than playing bitter politics as obtainable in Nigeria.

Some political parties however parade themselves in the argument that their major objective is to capture power - Good! But can something else laudable and worthwhile  be done on behalf of the poor masses even before gaining power?

Parties must realise that if Nigeria fails under a political party, it is to the detriment of the populace and not just that of the party in power, therefore, checks should be put in place to move the country forward.

If the Democratic party of the USA is able to put President Trump on his toes, to follow the right path and use the most efficient strategies, then this feat is achievable in Nigeria as well.

We have all pledged our allegiance to our dear country Nigeria, and nothing shall set us back no more!