The country has two major political parties; the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). These two political parties have ruled Nigeria in the recent times. One functions as the opposition party when the other is the ruling party. It has become evident from the manner the politicians cross carpet between the two parties that there is no ideological difference. No moral or philosophical disparities distinguish the politicians. This flippancy makes it difficult to establish institutional democratic advantages between the parties.
The high point of the drama is that the former President Goodluck Jonathan who was the last president under PDP leadership has indicated interest in registering as a member of APC. His plot is to take over government from President Muhammadu Buhari of APC, the same president who was his immediate successor. President Buhari has blamed his woeful leadership on the scandalous administration of President Jonathan. This may sound like the matching of whims of the two dunces. That notwithstanding, Nigerians see no hope of a better society since evidently there is no separation between the two administrations in terms of ideology. President Jonathan switching over to APC to replace President Buhari signifies that he applauds his administration.
Nigerian politicians have thrashed the role of opposition government. The function of checks and balances of opposition party against the ruling party has been diminished for selfish interest. The country’s democracy becomes immobile because there are no futuristic leaders to fight for the advancement of the overall society. The leaders are ready to compromise for personal gain instead of taking a stand based on principle. President Buhari will have to swallow his vomit after commenting throughout his administration that President Jonathan’s government was corrupt. And likewise, President Jonathan will have to sing the praises of President Buhari’s administration which before his embrace of APC was adjudged clueless by the PDP.
The political jamboree that Nigeria’s leaders are playing with governance needs to force the citizens to become activists. The political leaders of the two major parties have not demonstrated any visible determination that one party is better than the other in bettering the conditions of the masses. The ideal position for the electorates will be to look for a candidate with exemplary leadership qualities and rally around him or her outside the mainstream choices.
The role of the opposition party must be strictly distinguished for a democracy to run effectively. Politics in any society must swing between the ideals of the liberals and the conservatives to have a balance. These ideological differences have appeared inherent in the nature of human beings. The Nigerian political system cannot be any different otherwise, it is a farce. Nigerians should rise against leaders who are not serious with improving the country. They should form a unity of purpose and elect competent and progressive candidates for a better society for all.
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