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Are Opposition Political Parties Playing Their Roles Properly?

Published

13 years ago

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Though there are many political parties in Nigeria, the towering stature of the ruling peoples Democratic Party, PDP, seems  very intimidating to the extent that other parties appear to be silent apart from one or two.  This led our  correspondent  Calista Ezeaku and photographer, Dele Obinna to ask Nigerians their views on the performance of  the opposition political parties.Excerpts

Hon Enyi Princewill

– State Chairman, New Nigeria Peoples Party:

We are playing our role as opposition political parties. If you watch in the western world, opposition parties form  part of the government of the  day. We have also told the government that the  winner takes all syndrome should not be adopted  here in this part of our country.

A situation where someone who wins does not bring other political parties on board. No ruling party is an encyclopedia of political wisdom and knowledge.They should  also bring us together. They should also begin to see our impact.

We play our roles very well. We’re watch dogs, we are watching the government. We’ve also been shouting where we have smelled foul play. We applaud them when we see that they have done well. Both at the national and state levels, NNPP has been playing the role of opposition party properly, using the media, mainly the print media. But unfortunately, some media organisations don’t publicize the opposition parties. They publicize only people they think can gave them money. It shouldn’t be so. As watch dog of the society the media  should be very very open and impartial.

Opposition parties  can also help in development of the state or  nation through their  ideas. Our own is to give ideas. to the government  but it  is another thing if the government will take the ideas. We have written letters of audience to the government of Rivers State  seeking to meet with them one on one. We have also told them  through the media, let us be part of the governance, we  are partners in governance. They should bring some of us to the main stream of governance like some government of some states  have done.

So the people in government should stop the idea of winner takes all syndrome. They should incorporate the opposition parties, take them along. We are all Rivers indigenes. It is not necessary  that all should be taken by the ruling party. They should bring the opposition parties, in so that we can sell the ideas  we have to them. Our parties have  ideologies, we have manifestos. We can incorporate  them so that the state will go forward developmentally. They’ve refused to bring us in ad we can’t force ourselves in.

Mr. Emmanuel –      Estate surveyor.

The opposition parties are actually not playing the roles they ought to play because they  have  not taken charge of the grass root. They have to go down to the root and take charge because the grass root has  always  been the bed rock which the ruling party uses to retain themselves in power. The opposition parties or the “brake -outs”  have not been able to handle the grass root and that is a very endemic problem  in our society. The grass root lacks  a lot of knowledge. They do not understand what we are talking about. So I think they should go down to the grass-root and start their home work there. They have to sow some real seeds of change, not just a change  that is on paper. Corruption is a problem that is destroying this country. They have  to fight corruption and  promise the youth in the grassroot that they will have  blue print  developmental programmes on ground.

They should embark on sensitization. We need a lot of sensitization in our system because  the system  is very bad.

They should try and make more impact not just playing watch dog roles on newspapers,  radio stations and all that. They should translate that to realistic movements. They should go to rural areas form corperatives,  NGOs, let this people  see a change.

Infact, if the youth are well groomed to understand the system, they will fight the system just as the case of  French  revolution. So if they  want  to  fight the government, if they want to effect  a change in the  system, they should start from the grassroot. If they take the youth and all the people  in the grass root along, I’m sure they will be able to do something meaningful.

 

Mr. Ben- Civil Servant

I think if the opposition parties can form a formidable body as they are trying to do on the national level now to challenge the PDP, it will be a welcome development  because  although we have a lot of political  parties,  they are  not so strong to match force  with PDP being the ruling party.

But I don’t think opposition political parties are playing their roles properly. They are easily bought over by the ruling party. I expect opposition  political  parties to come together  and form a stronger force. They should be doing something that the ruling party should  emulate. You   can see  what  governors of some states controlled by opposition parties like Lagos, Edo, Imo are doing. Such good performances will attract more people to opposition parties.

 

Hon Richmond Nwangwe – Politician/Businessman

Well there is always  room for opposition whether  in politics, in

Churches, even in our homes. No society can grow  without opposition. Opposition  parties  are supposed to  be a check. They  are supposed to be a watch dog to the ruling party or to the  ruling government  either  in the church,  council or whatever, in every administration, there is always  opposition.

But if we are looking at it on the side of politics and power separation, if you check the opposition parties, you will discover that the members are people who were  also in the majority  before, either for the  reason that they couldn’t  perform, they were thrown out of the popular party and they went to the other side to start  causing confusion, trying to use some people to get power to see how they can bounce back into relevance. There is no opposition party that  you can see in the whole nation that you will not find one or two persons  that have  been in an office that they did not  perform.

So the kind of opposition parties we have  today are selfish  opposition. They are not representing the  true picture of what opposition  should be. They are practicing the negative side of what opposition should be.

What I’m  saying is that there should be  opposition but the opposition  should be constructive. It shouldn’t  be opposition that is  centred on selfish   motive. It should be opposition  that has the charisma to present a  sound society not a personal  or  self  centred opposition like the one we have now.

 

Mr. Chikwele Wechie

Businessman  opposition parties are not playing  their roles very well. They are  always looking for what to benefit. They don’t have constructive criticisms. They only  criticize the government when they  had not get what they expect to get from the government especially material  things.   May be somebody who has been disadvantaged  in one area or the other, goes to another party and says he is an opposition. He does  that  for his own selfish  interest or for his organisations selfish  interest. They should look at other oppositions  parties outside  this  country, worldwide, and see what they can do. In other countries, you’ll  see what opposition parties are doing in terms of  developing the country and making sure that everybody    has a better ideology. It is not the ideology of what do  I benefit from the government.

 

Mrs. Julie  Ogbuagu –teacher

I don’t  think opposition parties are doing their jobs as they should. We  always hear of politicians jumping  from one party to another  if the other party is not  favouring them. They are not carrying out the function of  opposition political parties which  is to check-mate the party in power  and ensure that the right things are done. Rather, they are in opposition to serve their own personal  interest.

Opposition political parties should  be able to find out the faults  of the ruling party and find ways to correct  them so  that  there  will be  development in the country.  If the ruling political  parties  know that there are viable  opposition parties  watching them, they will  sit  up and  will  not do things aribitrarily.

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Opinion

Monthly Environmental Sanitation Imperative 

Published

1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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Quote: “A clean environment is not a government gift; it is a civic duty that protects our health, preserves our cities, and reflects our national character.”
For many Nigerians who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the last Saturday of every month followed a familiar pattern. Roads were deserted, markets closed, and residents swept compounds, cleared gutters, cut overgrown weeds, and disposed off refuse. The monthly environmental sanitation exercise became a national ritual that promoted cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility. As an environment correspondent about two decades ago, I joined officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on sanitation monitoring tours across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Although enforcement officers were sometimes accused of excesses, the exercise succeeded in creating public awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean. Over time, however, the practice faded away in many states.
In its absence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainages and environmental neglect became increasingly common. Today, heaps of waste line roads, markets and motor parks, while gutters clogged with plastics contribute to perennial flooding. Given the mounting environmental challenges facing Nigerian cities, there is no better time to revive environmental sanitation. Its return is no longer a matter of nostalgia; it is a practical necessity for public health, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Poor sanitation remains a major cause of disease. Stagnant water and uncollected waste create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rodents, increasing the risk of malaria, cholera, typhoid and other infections. Floodwaters contaminated by refuse also expose communities to serious health hazards.
Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation. Cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are expanding faster than their waste management systems can cope. As populations grow, so does the volume of waste generated daily. Monthly sanitation exercises can help rebuild environmental consciousness. Beyond cleaning streets, they remind citizens that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. They also offer an opportunity to educate children and young people about hygiene, public health and community participation. Critics argue that the old sanitation policy restricted movement and was sometimes abused by security personnel. Those concerns were valid, but they do not invalidate the concept itself. Rather than abandon it, governments should reform the programme to make it more humane, participatory and transparent.
That is why the recent decision by the Lagos State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation deserves commendation. Even if participation is largely voluntary, the move sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility must be taken seriously. Other states should emulate this initiative. In Rivers State, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency has intensified efforts to improve waste collection and restore Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City. Reintroducing monthly sanitation would complement these efforts and deepen public involvement. At the federal level, policies such as the Digital Waste Marketplace, the Plastic Waste Policy and the National Waste Management Network are commendable. However, environmental sanitation remains one of the most direct and visible ways to mobilise citizens toward cleaner communities.
The exercise, however, must be supported by efficient waste management infrastructure. Citizens cannot be expected to maintain clean surroundings if there are inadequate waste bins, irregular refuse collection, and limited recycling facilities. Governments at all levels should invest in modern waste management systems, properly fund sanitation agencies, and promote recycling programmes. Waste sorting should become standard practice to reduce the volume of refuse ending up in landfills and drainage channels. Countries such as Singapore, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated that waste can become a valuable economic resource. Recycling industries in these countries create jobs while protecting the environment. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies and turn waste into wealth.
Environmental laws must also be enforced consistently. Regulations against illegal dumping exist in many states but are rarely implemented. Offenders should face penalties, but enforcement must be fair and free from extortion. Urban planning is another critical factor. Poor drainage systems, overcrowding and inadequate sewage infrastructure worsen sanitation problems. Governments must prioritise road construction, drainage maintenance and orderly urban development. Markets deserve particular attention. They generate enormous quantities of waste every day, yet many lack organised disposal systems. Local councils and market associations should work together to establish effective waste collection arrangements in commercial centres. Religious institutions, schools, traditional rulers and civil society groups also have important roles to play.
Environmental responsibility should be taught and reinforced as a social value. Community leaders can help change attitudes by consistently promoting cleaner habits. This issue is even more urgent in an era of climate change. Flooding, erosion and extreme weather events are already threatening many Nigerian communities. Poor waste disposal worsens these challenges by blocking waterways and reducing urban resilience. A clean environment also offers economic benefits. Well-maintained cities attract investors, tourists and businesses. Reduced disease outbreaks lower healthcare costs and improve productivity among workers and students. More importantly, cleanliness reflects national values. A nation that allows public spaces to deteriorate projects an image of disorder and neglect. Nigerians deserve cleaner streets, healthier neighbourhoods and safer communities.
Reviving environmental sanitation will not solve all environmental problems overnight, but it can serve as a powerful starting point. Combined with effective waste management, public education and stronger infrastructure, it can restore environmental consciousness across the country. Ultimately, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Government must provide leadership, infrastructure and enforcement, while citizens must demonstrate discipline and civic commitment. From disposing of household waste properly to keeping drains free of obstruction, every Nigerian has a role to play. If Nigeria is serious about protecting public health, reducing flooding and building livable cities, the return of monthly environmental sanitation is a step whose time has come.
By: Calista Ezeaku
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Opinion

God’s Intentionality in Ecological System

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1 week ago

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May 18, 2026

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Quote:”Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole”.
 
From the very first chapter of Scripture, the Bible presents a profound truth: creation was not accidental, random, or without meaning. The universe emerged from the deliberate counsel of an all-wise God who fashioned every aspect of life with purpose and precision. The heavens were stretched out by His command, the earth was carefully positioned, the seas were bounded, and every living creature was assigned a distinct role within a perfectly coordinated ecological system. When God surveyed His completed work, He pronounced it “very good,” affirming that creation was whole, harmonious, and exactly as He intended. The natural world remains a visible testimony to God’s intentionality. The sun provides warmth and energy at the right intensity to sustain life. The moon governs tides and seasons. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
Rivers irrigate the land and quench thirst. Bees and butterflies pollinate crops. Birds disperse seeds. Animals maintain biodiversity. Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole. Nothing was made without significance, and nothing was left to chance. Among all created beings, humanity occupies a unique and privileged position. Unlike plants and animals, man was created in the image and likeness of God. This divine imprint endowed human beings with intelligence, moral consciousness, creativity, and the capacity for relationship with their maker. It also established mankind as the steward of creation. God granted humanity dominion over the earth, not as a license for reckless exploitation, but as a sacred trust to cultivate, protect, and preserve the world He had declared good.
Dominion, in God’s original intention, was to be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Human beings were meant to care for the land, use natural resources judiciously, and ensure that all forms of life flourished in accordance with divine order. The earth was to be managed as a trust from God, not plundered for selfish gain. Unfortunately, this divine mandate has been grossly misunderstood and widely abused. It is deeply regrettable that man has deviated so drastically from God’s original intention. Instead of stewardship, humanity has too often embraced greed. Instead of preservation, there has been exploitation. Instead of gratitude to the Creator, there has been reckless consumption and abuse of the environment. Across the world, forests are felled indiscriminately, rivers are contaminated, and fertile lands are stripped of their productivity.
 Species disappear as habitats are destroyed. Air pollution threatens public health, and climate change disrupts weather patterns and livelihoods. What God created as a life-supporting ecosystem is increasingly treated as a disposable commodity. In Nigeria, the consequences are especially painful. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have devastated farmlands, poisoned rivers, and destroyed fishing communities. Poor waste management clogs drains and contributes to flooding. Erosion eats away homes and roads. Illegal mining and logging scar the landscape. In many cases, communities suffer while those responsible evade justice. At the root of much of this destruction is corruption. Funds earmarked for environmental protection, sanitation, and erosion control are often diverted for personal enrichment. Regulatory agencies are compromised through bribery.
 Powerful individuals and corporations place profit above human welfare. Corruption thus becomes not only a moral failure but an assault on God’s creation. This environmental abuse is also a tragic expression of man’s inhumanity to man. When water is polluted, children fall sick. When farmlands are destroyed, farmers lose their means of survival. When rivers are contaminated, fishermen are plunged into poverty. When floods and erosion displace families, communities are torn apart. The burden of environmental degradation falls most heavily on the poor and vulnerable, while future generations inherit a diminished world. Yet, despite humanity’s failures, there remains hope for restoration. God’s purpose for creation has not changed. He still calls His people to responsible stewardship and righteous living. When individuals and nations return to God’s principles, they begin to view the earth not as an object to exploit, but as a sacred trust to preserve.
Responsible stewardship means protecting natural resources, planting trees, reducing pollution, disposing of waste properly, enforcing environmental laws, rejecting corruption, and treating others with justice and compassion. It requires governments to act with integrity, businesses to operate ethically, faith communities to teach creation care, and citizens to take personal responsibility for the environment. Creation care is therefore more than an environmental concern; it is a spiritual obligation. Our treatment of the earth and of one another reflects the sincerity of our reverence for God. To exploit nature, oppress the vulnerable, and enrich ourselves through corruption is to rebel against His purpose. To protect creation and uphold justice is to honor the Creator and participate in His original design. The world God made was declared “very good.” It is our solemn duty to ensure that our actions preserve rather than destroy that goodness.
By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
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Opinion

Confronting National Development In Chinese Style

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 13, 2026

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Quote: “China’s rise was not a miracle. It was the result of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a national determination to make poverty reduction the foundation of national development.”
A short TikTok video by @ancientchinaforever recently offered a compelling summary of China’s remarkable transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations to a global economic powerhouse. In just a few minutes, it captured a lesson that developing countries like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore: meaningful development does not happen by chance. It is the product of vision, consistency, and a deliberate commitment to confronting poverty. In 1981, according to the World Bank, nearly 88 percent of China’s population lived in extreme poverty. The country was overwhelmingly rural, industrially weak, and lacking in modern infrastructure. Millions of people had limited access to quality healthcare, education, and basic social services. Yet China refused to accept poverty as its destiny. Its leaders made a strategic decision to treat poverty reduction as the starting point of national development.
 Rather than relying on slogans or isolated welfare programmes, they created a coordinated system that mobilised government institutions at every level toward one overriding goal: improving the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
This was the turning point in China’s history. Poverty alleviation became a national mission. Clear targets were established, responsibilities were assigned to provincial and local governments, and officials were evaluated based on measurable results. Data was used to identify poor households, monitor progress, and adjust strategies where necessary.In effect, China built what may be described as a national development machine.The first major reforms focused on agriculture. Through the household responsibility system, farmers were given greater control over their land and allowed to sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.
 This policy created incentives for productivity and innovation. The results were dramatic. Agricultural output rose significantly, rural incomes increased, and millions were lifted out of poverty.With food security improving, China turned to industrialisation. The government established Special Economic Zones, most notably in Shenzhen, to attract foreign investment and promote export-driven manufacturing. What was once a small fishing community quickly transformed into one of the world’s leading industrial and technology hubs. Factories created millions of jobs, drawing workers from rural areas into expanding urban centres. China soon became the manufacturing capital of the world, producing electronics, textiles, machinery, and consumer goods for global markets.The revenue generated from industrial growth was reinvested in infrastructure and human development.
China understood that development requires more than factories. It demands modern infrastructure that connects people, goods, and markets. Massive investments were made in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity, and telecommunications.
Today, China’s high-speed rail system, modern cities, and efficient logistics networks stand as visible proof of decades of purposeful investment. Equally important was China’s commitment to education and healthcare.Schools were expanded, literacy improved, and vocational training equipped workers with the skills needed in a modern economy. Healthcare reforms reduced preventable diseases and protected families from being pushed deeper into poverty by medical costs.These investments ensured that economic growth translated into tangible improvements in living standards.
Another defining feature of China’s development model was policy continuity. Through successive Five-Year Plans, national priorities were clearly outlined and pursued over decades. While leaders changed, the core development agenda remained consistent. This stability encouraged investment, strengthened institutions, and allowed long-term projects to be completed. Unlike countries where each administration abandons the policies of its predecessor, China sustained a clear sense of direction.The results have been extraordinary. According to the World Bank, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty—the largest poverty reduction effort in human history. A broad middle class has emerged, and the country has become the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group now compete at the forefront of global innovation.
China’s journey has not been without challenges. Rapid industrialisation has contributed to environmental degradation, regional disparities, and demographic pressures. However, these challenges do not diminish the scale of its achievement. They underscore the complexity of transforming a nation of over one billion people. For Nigeria, China’s experience offers valuable lessons. First, poverty reduction must be treated as a strategic national priority rather than a campaign promise. Second, development requires long-term planning and policy continuity. Third, sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare is essential. Fourth, institutions must be strengthened to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Finally, leadership must combine vision with disciplined execution. Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a youthful population.
What remains missing is a coherent and consistent development strategy that places national interest above politics. China’s transformation demonstrates that development is not a matter of luck. It is the outcome of clear priorities, effective institutions, and unwavering commitment. For countries still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, China stands as compelling proof that when a nation confronts its challenges with strategic intent and collective discipline, extraordinary progress is possible.
 Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
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