Role of Opposition Parties In Entrenching Good Governance, Nation Building

Written By Chief Peter Ameh, Political Analyst

It is a global practice that opposition parties have the primary responsibility of holding the government accountable for its actions and inactions and also enjoy the right under the Constitution to question the decisions made by the government that affect its citizens.

The opposition Parties in any given society represent an alternative government and are solely responsible for challenging the policies and programmes of the government to produce alternative policies and programmes where necessary.

Democracy is indicative of the fact that good governance can only be effectively entrenched in any society when the people understand and support the role of the opposition at all times.

In Nation-building, opposition parties play crucial roles in determining the outcome of citizen’s representation in government and can effectively and democratically change a government in power when they unite for a common purpose.

Another critical role of the opposition is in the field of law-making through careful consideration and vigorous debates on Bills sponsored to be passed into law by the opposition parties.

The opposition ensures there is an enrichment of the legislative process, as such Bills receive more scrutiny than they would ordinarily have under normal circumstances.

It is indeed not out of place for opposition parties to align themselves with policies and programs of the government, when such enjoy overwhelming acceptance by the people.

The duty of oversight by opposition parties, on the activities of an incumbent government, remains vital to entrenching good governance and has the anticipated tendency to enhance a well-ordered society.

The effect of these oversight duties can be seen in the way and manner the government in power responds to burning issues resulting from ineffective representation and inability to fulfill the people’s mandate.

Opposition parties in any given society, have the key role to ensure that burning National issues are always made to receive the needed attention.

This is one of the ways opposition parties remain relevant to the public and to the people they represent.

Opposition parties can also play a crucial role in the Nigerian electoral process by ensuring that all parties in the Country’s elections are given an equal opportunity to participate in any electoral process.

The preservation of the sanctity of the multi-party democratic system in Nigeria was a result of the struggle by the opposition to allow Nigerians of all tribes and religions to have access to a representative and inclusive government.

Being in opposition, the role of presenting an alternative government remains an integral part of the intention by the opposition, to offer a more credible, viable, and responsive government to the people.

The opposition parties can present this alternative government by clearly defining their position on views expressed by the government which they consider not to be in the overall interest of the people.

There is a compelling need to encourage, promote, and strengthen opposition parties to achieve better governance for the people.

This is one way to make the people in authority Know that power belongs to the people.