By Chukwudimma Aaron-Okonkwo


In every democratic system of government, the role of the opposition is as important as the responsibilities expected from the ruling government. For without the opposition parties, the government in power will not fulfill their promises to the people. To make sure that the ruling government fulfills their electoral campaign promises for the improvement of the society is one of the functions of an opposition. Where there is no opposition party in a democracy, bad governance breeds. Therefore, opposition roles are pertinently necessary in order to ensure good governance for the betterment of the peoples.

The purpose for the necessity of an opposition is also to ensure that checks and balances are enforced against the ruling government. Where the ruling government are not checkmate, the people won't experience good dividends of democracy. So, for the ruling government to be on their toes, the opposition must up their games, reassuring the application of those checks and balances with their contribution to government policies and constructive criticisms.

Every ruling government must not be allowed to govern the people unchallenged. No matter how genuine their intentions for the people may be, they must always be questioned. Government must be questioned to answer why they have failed to fulfill this or that promise. They must be questioned to account for what they had done with so and so resources allocated to them for the development of the State/country. The authorities must be held accountable to the peoples. And it takes only the opposition parties to make this happen.

The government, on its part, must respect the presence of the opposition. Because, the presence of the opposition does not bring harm. The roles of the opposition is all about ensuring good governance. Government must always be answerable to the people and it takes a good opposition to enforce this.

The functions expected from the opposition is not about opposing the policies of the government only. Where one or two policies of the government must be opposed, it must be presented in a considerately constructive ways, rather than being destructive. It is also expected from the opposition to sometimes agree with the policies of the government; only provided that such policies will progress the economy and prosper the peoples. In addition, if the solutions proposed by the government is given wide support, it then becomes absolutely natural for the opposition to agree with it.

More often than not, in our dear country Nigeria, the functions expected from the opposition parties are not effectively and efficiently carried out. And this is one of the many reasons why our economy is in shambles today. Our road infrastructures are death traps today because we do not have a functioning opposition. Our crime fighting institutions are today a cesspool of corruption because our opposition parties have failed to work well. Our judiciary system have today become a pawn in the hands of the ruling government because the opposition parties have rested in peace.

To build a strong institution, robust economy, and an investor friendly society takes a government that is constantly challenged by the opposition. When the opposition fails to take proactive steps in ensuring that the reigning authorities offers transformative governance to the peoples, the nipple effect will only be felt by the citizenry: extreme hunger, prolonged unpaid salaries, wages and pensions, weak institutions embedded in bribery and corruption, dilapidated road infrastructures, etc.

For over two decades, bad governance has enveloped the whole of Abia State. A visit to Abia State today will tell you point blank that it is begging for transformative governance and good development. The State have not experienced positive developments since it was created! And the opposition parties are no where to be found. The opposition in Abia State only shows presence once every four years-- during electioneering only! This is quite unfortunate because it allowed the government of the day to loot the treasury of the State unchecked. The absence of the opposition allowed oligarchy fueled by the despotic powers to become the practice of government. The absence of the opposition in Abia State, to a large extent, contributed to the total collapse of its institutions and infrastructures. No two ways about it. If there had been a functioning opposition in Abia State since 1999, believe you me, the State would not have been in developmental coma such as she is today.

For there to be provision of transformative governance for the wellbeing of Abians, the opposition must not be seen sleeping. For there to be a strong institution for Abians seeking justice to be satisfied, the opposition must not be seen "tampering justice with mercy". For there to be a responsive, accountable and transparent government for Abians to have a sense of participatory, the opposition parties must not dine with the devil.

Whither the opposition in Abia State amidst bad governance bedeviling her today? They are no longer in the State! They have disappeared to reappear in few years time for elections. The opposition parties are not living in the State, so they do not feel the need to challenge the government to be on their toes. But really, it does not take living in the State to work effectively as an opposition. So why is our oppositions not working as their functions demanded?

Most opposition members are now in the payroll of the ruling government while some others were handsomely rewarded with appointments; hence their total silence, allowing the government a free hand to operate in the State. The opposition might think that allowing the government rule unchecked is ideal regarding good governance. How wrong they are! The silence of the opposition in Abia is the pathway by which sycophants thrives. So, it is not helping matters at all.

To ensure a better, cleaner, and greater Abia takes a strong opposition to happen. Without it, the State shall continue to sink deep into the gutters of underdevelopment. However, God forbid!

As of today, pensioners --good Abians whose blood sustained its revenue generation institutions-- are being owed eighty-three (83) months pension allowance, while the civil servants-- workers whose daily sweats generates revenue for the State-- are owed eighteen (18) months salary arrears. As of today, every major road both in rural and urban areas have completely collapsed, while leaving the people with thorns in their fleshes. As of today, almost all roads in the commercial city of Aba and capital city of Ụmụahịa are littered with heap of refuses. Whither the opposition?

For a State that has what it takes to develop itself into a wonderland, but instead choose to squander the abundant financial resources bestowed upon her on frivolities leaves much to be questioned. Is such a State cursed or are its people the curse? Let's pause here and ponder.


28.10.2019