TwoCents | The Ruling and Opposition Parties: The Ideal Ying-Yang of Democracy

The world over, there are democratically elected governments. Aside from their will to carry out their constitutional duties, one thing that keeps these governments on their toes, in line and in check is the OPPOSITION. Humans, as higher animals, are blessed with the gift of thought and don't always go together in one direction. This is known as herd mentality. This herd mentality however is not synonymous with humans, but rather with other animals. Even when everyone seems to be moving in the same direction, there's always going to be one or two or a few with dissenting views. It is usually said that in every twelve, there must be a Judas which points to the fact that humans will never totally speak with one voice. It is therefore human nature to exhibit pluralism at every point; there's always going to be a spectrum in actions and thoughts. This inherent human quality is one of those that democracy mirrors, which makes it one of the most popular forms of government if not the most popular. Democracy recognises that humans will always have divergent views, accepts this as a strength rather than a weakness and allows for these views to be brought together in a healthy mix. Democracy ensures the majority has its way while it allows everyone to have their say, hence its support and declaration of the freedom of rights which must be upheld to sustain any democracy. In a democracy, to exhibit pluralism, the people are encouraged to form and be a part of different political parties or movements with obviously different psychologies or schools of thought. Even far right movements are tolerated so long as they conduct themselves with decorum and act within the ambits of the law. These movements always try to out do each other and are in a constant tussle for power. This is where the beauty of democracy lies. It gives the people an array of options to choose from on who will govern them. It also gives these political parties equal opportunities to be selected to govern. As the ruling party controls the government, all others are in opposition. The opposition constantly looks for weakness in the ruling party's government or style of governance, plays on it and uses it to their advantage in the elections. With this, a ruling party which has become disenchanted with the masses can be booted out and an opposition party voted in. A ruling party can become the opposition tomorrow and an opposition party can become the ruling party. All in all, democracy ideally offers the best option to the people. America, the benchmark and hallmark of democracy, the world over has two major political parties: the Democratic party and the Republican party. In the UK, there are the Conservative party and the Labour party which are the two (2) largest parties in the country, have alternated government since the 1920s; although there are other parties like the Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party and the UK Independence Party. In the aforementioned places, the ruling party is always forced to be on its toes. They try to give the masses the best so they can continue to enjoy the large support of the people and remain in power. This is because the opposition never gives a break, always watching for faults and weaknesses of the ruling party, like an Eagle watching its prey. In the UK, the opposition even goes as far as forming a shadow government which mirrors relevant positions in the ruling government. One reason for this is to have a ready cabinet just in case they are called upon to take over the government. Another is to shadow or monitor the person with the same portfolio in the ruling government for effective opposition.Also, another interesting thing about the politics of the West is that they carry out mid-term elections. These elections measure the preparedness of the present government, consequently giving them a scorecard on their handling of whatever the issues of the day are. For example, issues pertaining to high inflation, gas price and the overall state of the economy will be a contributing factor to how voters will vote in the elections. When the ruling party has performed below par or miserably, the opposition will use these as tools of elections campaign and whatnot to ensure they wrestle power back from the government of the day.The opposition starts preparing for the next election immediately after the current election is over, but in Nigeria, the opposition goes into hibernation and slowly wakes up when it is close to another election. Now, the PDP which is the main opposition party in Nigeria went to sleep after the 2019 general elections and is just resurfacing a few months to the next elections. Sadly, this trend is common with all other opposition parties in the country. The onus has fallen on highly placed and influential individuals, religious leaders and generally those who have painstakingly decided to bear the brunt of the current government's failure, calling out the government for their aforementioned failures. After all, what then is democracy about if it isn't a government of the people, for the people and by the people? The people have a voice and it must be heard.The gross irresponsibility by the government is appalling and cringeworthy. It limits the excesses of the government and thus, makes the opposition look like toothless, thoughtless, portfolio-wielding elder statesmen. How pathetic! Could this irresponsibility stem from the act that Nigeria is a relatively young and growing democracy? Or is it that the PDP which is supposed to be the major opposition party was in power for too long, it never and hasn't understood the concept of opposition politics or/and how it is played? Whatever the reasons are, the opposition parties must play the politics of the day and sing to the gallery when it is convenient. They should politick and device tools to read the voters' pulse and heartbeat. After all, opposition politics or politics, in general, is often dirty, partisan and contentious. Without the opposition, checks and balances, failings in government among other issues will remain mundane and complacent. This is one of the ideal ying-yang scenarios where negative and positive must coexist for the greater good of democracy. Without one or the other, there is hardly a democracy.

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