The Registration Of The NDC And Imperatives Of A Vibrant Opposition -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

Democracy as a system of government has rules and structures that support it. Democracy thrives better under a multi-party arrangement wherein the party in power will have the other parties and pressure groups to keep it in check by critically appraising its policies and actions ensuring good governance. And without a vibrant opposition, what is obtainable is one-party state. And a one-party arrangement is nothing but autocracy. Generally, the opposition refers to one or more political parties or other organized pressure groups that are opposed to the ruling party or the group in control of the government at the center. As stated by scholars, “political opposition is generally considered a key aspect of democracy, as the opposition restrains the incumbent government and seeks to enlarge the rights available to those out of power”. That implies that the conflict between the ruling and the opposition forces helps to establish democratic norms and rules. Thus a functional opposition is deemed necessary to prevent democratic backlash and maintain the balance of power in a political system.

Thus, the need for a vibrant opposition in a Democracy cannot be over-emphasized. The opposition in a democracy acts as crucial watchdog. The opposition watches and critically appraises what the governing party does. It works to ensure probity, accountability and transparency in the government. The opposition also works to ensure the protection of the rights of the minority and the vulnerable groups in the political system. They contribute to civil advocacy civic education, fostering political participation and ensuring public discourse. By scrutinizing policies, proposing alternatives and preventing abuse of power, they make vital input in the stability of the political system. Therefore, effective opposition is a prime requirement for the promotion of good governance.

It is in the light of the above that Nigerians welcome with open arms the registration of the new party, the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) recently by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Before now, Nigerians have had a raw deal in the hands of the APC’s Apartheid regime. Since the advent of the current regime, the government has taken very dangerous overt and covert steps to muzzle the opposition. Nigeria has had the illusion of a multi-party system whereas it is only one party with its moles, infiltrators in the other parties working to destroy them. So we now have repressed opposition in Nigeria which is unhealthy for the practice of democracy. The hitherto main opposition parties: the PDP and the Labor parties have been infiltrated and ruined by the ruling APC. What we have now in Nigeria with the destruction of the PDP and the Labor Party is controlled opposition. Thus, as we mourn the decimation of these parties, we should rally round the new party to ensure its success to keep the ruling party on its toe and the survival of our hard-won democracy.

The NDC group had to go through a long tortuous path to get its dream political platform registered. The journey began in 2017 when the group led Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the former governor of Bayelsa State applied to the INEC for registration. But after meeting all the requirements requested for party registration, the NDC was denied registration by INEC then. The reason given by INEC was that the NDC logo and insignia bore close resemblance with those of the APC. Consequently, the NDC went to court to challenge the INEC’s unilateral decision to deny them registration after meeting the registration prerequisite, stating that the INEC’s decision was based on wrong assumptions and improper use of executive discretion. The court upheld the pleas of the NDC stating that the NDC logo is distinct from that of the APC and that the second association which INEC had initially cited as having similar logo as the NDC was not even a registered legal entity, let alone a political party. Thereafter, the court in its judgment directed INEC to register the NDC as a political party in Nigeria.

And in compliance with the federal high court order INEC registered NDC as new political party. And as proclaimed by the National Leader of the party, Senator Seriake Dickson, it is a new dawn not just for the party but for Nigerian democracy. According to him, the NDC offers an alternative platform for political participation and inclusiveness. Dickson describes the new party as a national political platform unity and inclusiveness stating, “we are a party and a pan-Nigerian democratic movement.”

The new party has hit the ground running upon registration, launching its online registration exercise. The party’s National Leader said that, “the introduction of the digital platform marks a significant step toward modernizing the party’s operation and encouraging wider political participation among Nigerians both within and in diaspora.

Observers believe this is a good development for our democracy. Nigerians are therefore enjoined to take the initiative, identify with the new party, join the online registration exercise and strengthen our democratic participation and choice. Long live Nigeria!

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed 

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK