True And Meaningful opposition In Politics - The Rivers APC Example

By Dr Godpower Egbono:

This is a frenzy football season in Africa,and the best of African football is being celebrated all over Africa and beyond.
So far Nigeria, one of the strong contenders, is at her best in the tournament, having defeated many countries including the highly rated Bafana Bafana team of South Africa, to clinch the final ticket. And with this performance,the Nigeria team has demonstrated mastery of the game, with experience and team work, to remain one of the best teams in the tournament.
But as Nigerians are basking in the euphoria of the victories, including the celebrations, my mind keeps reminiscing on great lessons from the game of football, especially as it relates to democracy and good governance,which are key derivatives of the game of politics.
As many have argued, politics is like.the game of football, just as we are watching this season. And consistent with games generally, the competition therein, requires players with energy and success traits; such as unity in opposition, resilience, determination, and skills to overcome their opponents.
As seen so far, the Super Eagles of Nigeria as one of the winning teams, have displayed all these traits, which are great lessons and motivations to Nigerians, in all human endeavors, including politicians in the realm of politics and governance.
These success factors are clearly visible in the formation of every successful football game ,where the winning teams always maintain a clear distinction between the offensive and defence; with the focus of controlling the game ,for the victory of the team. Infact the game of football is a game that is full of tactics and bravery for victory and success.
And, as it is with contending football teams, battling for victory, with skills and mastery of the game, so it is with politicians, who fight to protect the masses from bad governance through meaningful opposition.
Just the same way formidable defenders in a football field force offensive team players to rethink their strategy, so also opposition parties, who are defenders of the masses,are crucial in forcing offensive and obnoxious ruling party’s actions, policies, and decisions through meaningful opposition .
When there is a strong and meaningful opposition, anchored on the rule of law, and with the principle of separation of powers, as its hallmark and modus oparandi, there will be a balanced democracy.
Beyond mere party politics, as being played in our country,robust and clear opposition is very critical, in providing a healthy check and balance to the activities and actions of those voted to power.It is only through a balance opposition, that those in governance can be compelled to rethink their strategy,and remain accountable to the electorate for their actions.
Today in country,the absence of meaningful opposition in our polity, has contributed to the myraid of economic maladies and stagnation in our country. This is because political parties in power usually position themselves, to dominate the political landscape, leaving no space for inter party engagements, on issues bothering accountability, and transparency in the allocation of resources and governance generally.
It is against this background, and the urgent need for balance in governance,that true and meaningful opposition need to be properly enshrined in our politics and governance framework.
Thanks to the All progressives congress (APC ), Rivers State, ably led by Chief Tony Okocha, Ksc, DSSRS JP, care taker committee Chairman, for taking the bold intiative in this direction.
With the dissolution of the former excutive committee of the party by the National, and inauguration of a new seven-man care taker committee, made up of seasoned politicians, with mastery and experience in the game of politics, a new dawn has just begun in the Leadership of the party in Rivers State .
The members of the party are excited with the selection of very experienced team players like Chief Tony Okocha(Chairman),Hon Nwibani(secretary), Hon Chubuike Ikenga(publicity Secretary), Warisenibo Karibi Dan Jumbo(Member -welfare),Miss Darlyn Amadi(woman Leader), etc who have so far displayed team spirit and synergy in tackling issues of commonality in APC, and the state generally.
Their synergy in growing the membership of the party within this short period, and unity in challenging perceived abnormally in governance is unprecedented and highly commendable.
Today Rivers State chapter of APC, stands tall as the most dominant, resilient, and formidable opposition party in Rivers State. With a striking force drawn from the old and new APC ,and even the ruling PDP, the team ably led by their captain and master strategist,Chief Tony Okocha,has taken the "bull by the horn" to meaningfully and constructively engage the ruling party, to play the game by the rules.
They are united in presenting meaningful opposition that will benefit all Rivers people, and this is an example to other political parties in Rivers State.
To those who truly love Rivers State and wants democracy to thrive, I think the strength displayed through this bold initiative by APC, should be a good example of true opposition in politics,and the initiators need to be commended.
They should be commended for being the defenders of the people base on the rule of law. Political gladiators in the state should rather be excited that All Progressives congress (APC), Rivers State has set in motion a framework to provide checks and balances,which are consistent with democracy norms , rather than being confrontational to the truth.
Through constructive opposition, actions and policies that seem to violate the rule of law, and detrimental to Rivers people, are being lawfully challenged and corrected for the good of Rivers people.
It is in appreciation and recognition of this laudable initiative and determination of the leadership of APC ,that the pronouncements by the party in their recent solidarity visit to the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly should not be seen as confrontational but a welcome development.
Recall that In that visit, which took place on Tuesday, 6th February,2024, the party stood in solidarity with the 25 members of Rivers State House of Assembly, led by the speaker Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule, thanking them for standing for the good decisions they took(in opposition), to protect the rule of law in Rivers State.
In a communique read by the chairman of the care taker committee of APC, chief Tony Okocha, Ksc, DSSRS, JP, he enumerated some key decisions of the House of Assembly, that seek to protect our democracy, which include:
1) the decision of the 25 members to cross carpet to the APC which was in line with the rule of law, that allows elected people to move from one party to the other.
2)the passing of five bills into law in the over all interest of Rivers people, including overriding the Executive where necessary.
3)the decision for the representation of the 2024 appropriation bill(Budget of Rivers) for proper passage into law.
4)the decision of the House of Assembly to direct the Executive organ to concentrate on meaningful programs and projects, that will bring development and progress to Rivers people.
5) accounting for homoguos sums(about 144billion naira) from the Federal Allocation Account Committee (FAAC) in the past 6month for the development of the the state.
6) Following extant policies and approvals in spending state funds
From these pronouncements, it is clear that APC Rivers State has come to stay. This new Leadership is poised to protect Rivers people, by standing audaciously, to ask the right questions, and make the right demands for the good of Rivers State. They have truly imbibed the right spirit of unity, excellence with resilience, to confront any perceived ills arising from bad governance.
It would have been an aberration and total failure, for APC to allow unnecessary pressure and ethnic sentiments, to becloud her sense of responsibility of protecting Rivers people, through meaningful opposition.
Thank God for the candor spirit in execution of plans, and the synergy between the Leadership of the Party, that of the Rivers State House of Assembly, as well as the he 25 members who are proudly APC members.
The call today, is for all true Rivers compatriots, to rally round the Tony Okocha led Care taker committee, of APC, to hold tenaciously, the good work they have started. Their example of true opposition will help to strengthen democracy in our dear state,and bring more dividends to improve the quality of lives of Rivers people.
Let all Rivers people Shun violence and ethnic bigotry and sue for peace. It is only in a peaceful environment that development thrives.
We need to play a new kind of politics to save our state and our people, from unwarranted sentiments and bad governance,.
It was Arundhati Roy, who said that " We need a new kind of politics. The politics of opposition. The politics of joining hands across the world and preventing certain destruction."
Thank you APC Rivers State, and the Leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly for standing up to the challenge.


Dr Godpower Egbono
Leader, Renewed APC Caucus Abua/Odual LGA
Zonal Coordinator, Coalition of Support Groups for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (COSGABAT), South South.
Writing from Port Harcourt,Rivers State.