PDP and need for credible opposition

In an article ‘The role of opposition parties in a democracy’, Edward Bule contends that “any political system devoid of a strong opposition cannot qualify as a democracy”. That statement underscores the critical role credible opposition plays in every democratic system.

Indeed, the opposition in a democracy plays the oversight role, acting as the watchdog of the system by checkmating arbitrary and despotic behaviour of the government in power and ensuring that the actions of government are in the best interest of the people. Opposition parties do this by demanding information and debate on government’s proposed policies, especially within the legislature. They also serve the purpose of being an alternative to the ruling party by offering alternative policies, sometimes forming a ‘shadow cabinet’. This is why opposition parties have been described as the key pillars and a living expression of the concept of choice.

Bule writes that “elections are one of the main tenets of democracy, and since no democratic election can take place in a one-party situation, opposition parties are the pillars of any democracy and the voice of the people, especially the marginalised”.

“During elections, political parties present to the voter alternative policies and ideologies, thereby giving the ruling party competition by popularising themselves and presenting themselves as a government-in-waiting. This way, the opposition gives the voter the opportunity to replace a corrupt, inept, unaccountable and unilateralist government with a people-centred one. Between elections, opposition parties continue to expose the weaknesses of the ruling party and hold it accountable for action or inaction on behalf of the people through elected representatives or other forms,” he adds.

We cannot agree more as we saw this scenario play out in the just-concluded presidential elections in the country. This is why we insist that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) must quickly resolve the crisis threatening to tear it in shreds following its defeat at the presidential poll and brace up for the opposition role that has been thrust upon it.

It is worrying enough that the immediate post-election period witnessed some defections from the PDP and other opposition parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC), with analysts projecting that there will be more of these defections in the months ahead. This casts a doubt on the ability and willingness of the now opposition parties, especially the PDP, to play their role as appropriate. This is why the PDP crisis must not be allowed to linger.

It is good that the Adamu Mu’azu-led PDP National Working Committee has constituted a 15-man Post-Election Assessment Committee to review and evaluate the performance of the party in the 2015 elections and make recommendations for repositioning of the party. This is a step in the right direction and we urge the committee to take its job seriously so that the party can put the elections behind it and face its new role as the major opposition party in the country.

We agree with David Mark, Senate president, who, while addressing the newly-elected members of the National Assembly in Abuja, said the PDP must remain a united family if it is to play its opposition role effectively, adding, “The role of opposition is strange to us but it is not a death sentence. We should be ready for the challenges.” This, for us, is the beauty of democracy.