From IKECHUKWU NNADI, Enugu
A political pressure group, The Alternative, has raised concerns over the effectiveness of opposition political parties in Nigeria, attributing their weakness to ethnic divisions that hinder a united front for democratic growth.
Speaking at a town hall meeting in Enugu, the group’s Convener, Segun Showunmi, criticized the opposition for failing to engage meaningfully over the electoral and governance challenges facing the country, arguing that forming new political parties would not automatically address deeper structural problems within the electoral process.
He said: “We have looked at the political parties and the way they are behaving. Everyone in the country is rumouring that it is only the ruling party that is prepared and ready. We cannot accept the idea that people will be looking for another platform only for the purpose of the contest.
“So, we felt we should start this movement with the view of ensuring that the ills that affect the process can be discussed. For instance, even if you registered a new political party, how will that prevent vote-buying and selling unless we advocate about it?
“We have 18 political parties already. Even if we register another one and people don’t turn up, and you are barely able to get 25 million people turning up and you install a president with 8 million votes, what will the new party do?”
Showunmi blamed ethnic and sectional sentiments for further weakening the opposition’s ability to mobilize citizens and challenge electoral irregularities.
He urged politicians to move beyond tribal affiliations and build a more inclusive movement.
He further criticized opposition parties for not doing enough to educate voters and combat electoral malpractice.
“I have taken up to reach the people what an opposition movement should look like. Opposition movements should be able to speak to the challenges of the process.
“Is it the federal government that tells people not to turn up during elections? Is it the federal government that says people should be buying and selling their votes? The answer is no,” he added.
