Editor’s note: ‘Yomi Kazeem, the Naij.com columnist, maintains it is high time the PDP started coming up with strategies and solutions to the many troublesome issues Nigeria is faced with, thus paving its way to regain the trust of Nigerians come the2019 campaign season.

For the most part, it is easy to understand why the People’s Democratic Party might be having such a hard time adapting to its new realities. After sixteen years at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, during which the prospect of long-term perpetuation in power seemed a distinct possibility, the party and its members have been left on the sidelines at the national level after losing the general elections to the All Progressives Congress.

With the ascension of the APC to presidency, the PDP has spent the last few months searching for an identity and strategy, but on the evidence of the last few days, it appears that has been an exercise in futility as the party is nowhere nearer to finding itself.

Wild accusations

Once the election results were announced, the PDP predictably went on the defensive. Following a concession call from President Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari, the hope was that the party’s rhetoric would be significantly altered but it did not. The party remained accusatory leading to suggestions that it had not come to terms with the fact that Nigerians had voted them out mainly because of the 16 years of under whelming leadership.

Well into the administration of President Buhari and the APC, the rhetoric of the PDP is still wildly and baselessly accusatory.

Following the presentation of the 2016 budget to the National Assembly by President Buhari, the PDP’s response was to describe the budget as a fraud.

While it went ahead to detail reasons for its claim in a statement, little allusion was made in specific detail to the budget itself. Perhaps, a more nuanced response, highlighting perceived loopholes and wastages would have earned better reception.

Similarly, in reaction to the damaging$2 billion arms procurement fraud that has dominated news cycles in the last few weeks, the PDP has bafflingly suggested that, despite what appears to overwhelming evidence suggesting his guilt, the presidency was pushing forward with a case against Dasuki simply due to fears of a potential bid for the presidency in 2019.

Revolving cycle

In its eight months out of office at the federal level, the PDP has certainly found itself in a new position but in truth, it is one that it should be quite familiar with. For 16 years, the People’s Democratic Party maintained a stronghold on Nigerian politics for many reasons with one of the most vital being the absence of a strong and strategic opposition party.

Having enjoyed the merits of governing without credible opposition for a majority of its tenure in power, the PDP should understand, more than anyone else, the demerits of not taking the role of an opposition party seriously.

Typically, the electorate will prefer to keep a government in power in the absence of a viable alternative. At this point, the job of the PDP is to be that viable alternative.

There is no universal manual on how to be a great opposition party but there are a few things the PDP can do better

Given the prevalent economic realities, it is clear that the Buhari led government faces a difficult time steadying and navigating the ship. On its part, rather than constantly criticize at the risk of sounding stale and bitter, the PDP must redefine its strategy and focus more on proffering solutions and positioning itself as a long-term alternative for the 2019 elections.

It might be three full years away but the reality is that the PDP’s return to office will not be swift barring a spectacular failure by the APC.

To stand a chance at the polls, rather than accuse the presidency of plans to “destroy” the party, clear thinking positive strategy will pay more dividends.
https://www.naij.com/689644-pdp-must-better-playing-role-opposition-party.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C4169054663

smemud:
Editor’s note: ‘Yomi Kazeem, the Naij.com columnist, maintains it is high time the PDP started coming up with strategies and solutions to the many troublesom issues Nigeria is faced with, thus paving its way to regain the trust of Nigerians come the2019 campaign season.

For the most part, it is easy to understand why the People’s Democratic Party might be having such a hard time adapting to its new realities. After sixteen years at the helm of affairs in Nigeria, during which the prospect of long-term perpetuation in power seemed a distinct possibility, the party and its members have been left on the sidelines at the national level after losing the general elections to the All Progressives Congress.

With the ascension of the APC to presidency, the PDP has spent the last few months searching for an identity and strategy, but on the evidence of the last few days, it appears that has been an exercise in futility as the party is nowhere nearer to finding itself.

Wild accusations

Once the election results were announced, the PDP predictably wenton the defensive. Following a concession call from President Jonathan to Muhammadu Buhari, thehope was that the party’s rhetoric would be significantly altered but it did not. The party remained accusatory leading to suggestions that it had not come to terms with thefact that Nigerians had voted them out mainly because of the 16 years ofunderwhelming leadership.

Well into the administration of President Buhari and the APC, the rhetoric of the PDP is still wildly and baselessly accusatory.

Following the presentation of the 2016 budget to the National Assembly by President Buhari, the PDP’s response was todescribe the budget as a fraud.

While it went ahead to detail reasons for its claim in a statement, little allusion was made in specific detail to the budget itself. Perhaps, a more nuanced response, highlighting perceived loopholes and wastages would have earned better reception.

Similarly, in reaction to the damaging$2 billion arms procurement fraud that has dominated news cycles in the last few weeks, the PDP has bafflingly suggested that, despite what appears to overwhelming evidence suggesting his guilt, the presidency was pushing forward witha case against Dasuki simply due tofears of a potential bid for the presidency in 2019.

Revolving cycle

In its eight months out of office at thefederal level, the PDP has certainly found itself in a new position but in truth, it is one that it should be quite familiar with. For 16 years, the People’s Democratic Party maintained a stronghold on Nigerian politics for many reasons with one of the most vital being the absence of a strong and strategic opposition party.

Having enjoyed the merits of governing without credible oppositionfor a majority of its tenure in power, the PDP should understand, more than anyone else, the demerits of not taking the role of an opposition party seriously.

Typically, the electorate will prefer to keep a government in power in the absence of a viable alternative. At this point, the job of the PDP is to be that viable alternative.

There is no universal manual on how to be a great opposition party but there are a few things the PDP can dobetter

Given the prevalent economic realities, it is clear that the Buhari led government faces a difficult time steadying and navigating the ship. Onits part, rather than constantly criticize at the risk of sounding stale and bitter, the PDP must redefine its strategy and focus more on proffering solutions and positioning itself as a long-term alternative for the 2019 elections.

It might be three full years away but the reality is that the PDP’s return to office will not be swift barring a spectacular failure by the APC.

To stand a chance at the polls, rather thanaccuse the presidency of plans to “destroy” the party, clear thinking positive strategy will pay more dividends.
https://www.naij.com/689644-pdp-must-better-playing-role-opposition-party.html?_e_pi_=7%2CPAGE_ID10%2C4169054663

Well said.. Sincerely PDP hasn't woken up to reality on ground, which I pray they do very fast.

How can they be effective opposition when Buhari's government is prone to arresting any vocal critic?

melvinjames:
How can they be effective opposition when Buhari's government is prone to arresting any vocal critic?

stop supporting corruption.

smemud:
stop supporting corruption.

Stop supporting Dictatorship.

The days of opposition politics in Nigeria are over. PDP is DEAD. And the death is deserved. Nigeria's democracy however is on life support. Eventually only APC will defeat APC.

smemud:
stop supporting corruption.

stop supporting impunity that too is corruption!