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With the general election barely 12 months away, and considering the performance of the current administration since 2015, one would expect opposition political parties to be more organised, strategic and assertive. Ideally, this should be a period of intense mobilisation, coalition-building and sustained pressure on the ruling party.
However, the reality appears quite different.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains divided into factions, with a pending court case to determine its recognised leadership. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), though relatively calm, seems more focused on internal restructuring than on mounting strong opposition.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) has been weakened by internal crises and the reported exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
An opposition party in any functional democracy is expected to hold the government accountable. It must question, criticise and challenge policies, especially in periods marked by allegations of corruption, maladministration, neglect of citizens’ welfare, poor economic policies and worsening insecurity.
During the PDP-led administration of former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the All Progressives Congress (APC), then in opposition, actively criticised government policies. APC leaders mobilised protests against fuel subsidy removal, which they framed as anti-poor and insensitive. They were vocal about insecurity, particularly the Boko Haram insurgency, accusing the government of being slow and ineffective.
Through sustained criticism, grassroots mobilisation and strategic alliances, they positioned themselves as a credible alternative and eventually emerged victorious at the polls.
Today, the APC has been in power for over a decade. Many Nigerians argue that insecurity has worsened, unemployment remains high, poverty levels have increased, and economic hardship persists. With elections approaching, one would expect opposition parties to present a clear, united and compelling alternative. Instead, fragmentation and silence dominate the space.
Opposition politics requires more than social media statements. It demands coordinated action, policy alternatives, coalition-building and visible engagement with citizens’ struggles. When opposition parties fail to unite or articulate a common agenda, public confidence weakens. Nigerians seeking hope and direction may begin to question whether those aspiring to lead would truly govern differently.
A recent example is the passage of the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2026 by the Senate, where lawmakers rejected a proposal to mandate real-time electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the public portal (IREV).
Instead, they retained provisions that leave transmission at the discretion of the electoral body. Many Nigerians see real-time transmission as a safeguard against manipulation and electoral malpractice. Yet, opposition parties have not mounted a strong, coordinated resistance to this development.
Democracy is not defended by silence or excessive politeness. It thrives on constructive confrontation, principled advocacy and persistent accountability. At critical moments such as this, citizens expect opposition parties to rise above internal disputes and provide credible leadership.
Docility does not win elections. Unity, clarity of purpose and consistent engagement do.
As Nigeria approaches another defining electoral cycle, the responsibility lies not only with the ruling party but also with the opposition. Nigerians are not merely asking for a change of faces—they are demanding competence, courage and credible alternatives capable of restoring hope in the democratic process.
Written by:
Malik Bello Bayewuwon
bellomalik001@gmail.com
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