The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, has called on all opposition parties, irrespective of ideological leanings or political size, to urgently set aside ego, personal ambition, and petty rivalries to imbibe a healthy democracy that anchors credible, organized, and vibrant opposition.
SMBLF expressed concern over the state of disarray, internal bickering, and factional crises that have lately plagued several Nigerian opposition parties.
A joint statement issued by Oba Olaitan Ladipo – Chairman Afenifere, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata – President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Ambassador Goodknows Igali – President PANDEF and Dr Pogu Bitrus – President – Middle Belt Forum said, “As a coalition of elders, statesmen, and stakeholders from Nigerian major socio-cultural groups committed to the unity, justice, and progress of our dear country, we cannot ignore the fact that a healthy democracy thrives on the presence of a credible, organized, and vibrant opposition.
“At this critical period in our national history, the role of the opposition goes beyond contesting elections.It includes holding the government to account, offering alternative policies, defending citizens’ rights, and serving as a constant reminder that political power is not a birthright of any party.”
The statement said when opposition parties are weakened by self-inflicted wounds, as they are witnessing today, they inadvertently cede the political space to a power monopoly that stifles accountability and encourages impunity.
The statement said, “We therefore call on all opposition parties, irrespective of ideological leanings or political size, to urgently set aside ego, personal ambition, and petty rivalries.”
It noted that Nigeria’s democratic project is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of internal wrangling, saying that the people deserve a united, disciplined, and focused opposition that can checkmate the excesses of the ruling party and ensure governance remains people-centered rather than power-centered.
Equally, SMBLF admonished the ruling party to resist the temptation of undermining the opposition through subtle intimidation, inducement, infiltration, or other underhand tactics, stressing that no ruling party, however powerful, should forget that democracy is sustained by pluralism, not political domination.
“A political culture that actively sabotages dissent will inevitably breed instability, disillusionment, and resistance from the citizenry,” SMBLF observed.
The group drew the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to its statutory obligation to serve as an impartial umpire and a guardian of the democratic process.
The SMBLF strongly believes that INEC must take proactive steps to resolve internal party disputes brought before it in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, rather than folding its arms or selectively intervening.
It warned that by appearing to favour one party over another, INEC risks further erosion of its already battered public trust and affirming the perceptions that it is working at the behest of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
We therefore demand that INEC, strengthen its internal mechanisms for the timely resolution of intra-party conflicts brought before it as fast as possible and ensure strict adherence to the Electoral Act in all party matters, without bias or political coloration.
It stressed the need to publicly reaffirm its neutrality to reassure Nigerians that it is committed to free, fair, and credible democratic practices this time around.
The statement advised that real-time transmission of electoral results must be adhered to by INEC, as the glitch in the transmission of the last presidential election gave rise to serious credibility issues regarding the integrity of the overall results, saying that Nigeria’s democracy is still relatively young, and its sustainability requires all political stakeholders to play by the rules.
It stated that a democracy without an effective opposition is a democracy in name only, saying that a democracy where the umpire is compromised is one headed for collapse.
The SMBLF reaffirmed its commitment to working with all political actors to deepen democratic culture, entrench justice, and ensure that the will of the Nigerian people remains the ultimate authority in governance.
