Political economist and activist, Professor Pat Utomi, has expressed deep concern over the decline of opposition politics in Nigeria, lamenting that political parties have become irrelevant in the country’s democratic space.
Speaking at the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable themed “Nigeria and Opposition Politics” held in Lagos, Utomi argued that the only form of real opposition the Federal Government faces today comes from a handful of active citizens on social media.
Represented at the event by Chidi Okpaluba, President of the Centre for Africa Renaissance, Reformation and Development, Utomi faulted opposition parties for their silence on critical issues such as electoral reforms and constitutional violations, noting that fear of persecution and internal crises had crippled their voices.
“The only strong opposition we have today is a few active citizens on social media. Outside that, no political party is challenging this government,” Utomi stated.
He stressed that without urgent reforms to Nigeria’s electoral system, opposition parties stand no chance of winning elections.
Also speaking at the event, the convener, David Oladipo, highlighted that Nigeria was failing to reap the true benefits of democracy because opposition parties had grown too weak to provide viable alternatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oladipo noted that rather than engaging in rigorous intellectual work and policy debates, most opposition groups have resorted to empty rhetoric.
“Opposition is not just about shouting. It requires designing policies, proposing solutions and putting forward ideas that can compel the ruling party to act,” he emphasized.
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