SDP, most formidable opposition party in Nigeria — Group

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has been described as the most formidable opposition political party in the country which has assumed the role of giving direction to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The assertion was made by Chief Okibe Johnson, National Coordinator, Youths Action for Change in a statement made available to Journalists in Bauchi on Saturday.

According to him, “Opposition political parties play critical roles in determining the level of accountability by governing parties and governments, the effectiveness of public service delivery and the overall quality of a country’s democracy.

“They provide alternative visions, policies, and leaders to the governing party. They scrutinise government decisions, policies, actions and play oversight over the the ruling party.

“A democracy without opposition is like making an omelette without breaking eggs; or, a bird flying with one wing or one clapping with one hand. Yet, the fact is there is no opposition in the nation’s democracy before the resurrection of the Social Democratic Party.

“In Nigeria, opposition political parties simply exist as platforms for power grabbers to contest and capture power and there it ends till another election season comes.

“The Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP) is a centre-left political party in Nigeria. It was created alongside the National Republican Convention by former military President Ibrahim Babangida, as part of a democracy project meant to form two detribalised political parties – one slightly to the left and one to the right.

“During the Nigerian Third Republic, it was seen as a moderate party attractive to young radical intellectuals and socialists. In its manifesto, it called for concerted efforts to improve welfare and fight for social justice.”

He, however, said that the reverse is now the case in SDP as the party has changed the thoughts and perceptions that, they are not only capable of winning elections but also can give the ruling party a running battle in ensuring that, promised made are kept and policies with inhuman face are reversed.

He stated “The party has shown this capacity in different ways and has consistently spoken against the ill-fated government policies of the present administration from the Federal Government down to the state governments.

“As an opposition party, they have the ability to show the electorate they are a credible alternative to successive governments and are crucial to the credibility in sustaining the democratic system.

“A democratic system is significantly undermined if the opposition does not offer any credible alternatives to the governing party, is invisible in the public debate or does not have a public profile beyond during elections.

“The SDP seem to be an alternative as their constructive debates on policy options, the direction of the country and the future is redirecting the current administration of President Bola Ahmad Tinubu to rethink. In fact, the strength, effectiveness, and quality of service offered by this administration largely depend on the SDP’s constructive criticisms.

“Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam as the National Chairman of SDP has placed the party in a strategic position, winning significant National Assembly and State Assembly seats during the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“Apart from the chances of the party in the next elections, SDP followership has increased significantly across the board and beyond tribal and party lines. The reason is due to the SDP’s dogmatic courage and constructive criticisms of the current administration of President Tinubu.

“From his early years to ascent to the position of SDP National Chairman, Musa Gabam’s political career demonstrated his vision and leadership, which have been crucial to the party’s expansion.

“Unlike other political opposition parties, SDP seems to be efficient, relevant, and their social contract with the common man under the current political dispensation of the party’s ability to credibly govern the country. This means the strength of the opposition in a country plays a key role in the quality of democracy, effectiveness of the state and the levels of corruption as well.

“It is not a political discourse that SDP is characterised by a number of calculated actions and devoted work that ultimately brought it to prominence. Musa Gabam beyond being party chairman has continued to play active roles in stabilising Nigerian democracy that has been under siege of corruption, abuse of constitutional process and abuse of power by those in the helm of affairs for decades.

“The Chairman has consistently and has been adamant on the need to strengthen the local governments in order to restore back power to the grassroots. Glad that President Tinubu through the Minister and AGF are reawakening this long-awaited three tiers of government through the Supreme Court.

“Musa Gabam has been outspoken in most of his interviews and Press statements on the need for the President to revisit the idea of fuel subsidy removal and urgently address the increased prices of commodities in the market as a result of hyperinflation.”

He added that the SDP and the National Chairman have maintained a position as a political party that is dedicated to improving the nation’s security through uncountable concerns regarding the plight of the nation’s insecurity especially the kidnapping for ransom by armed gunmen predominantly in Northern Nigeria.

“In the last year, the party has never shy away from drawing and calling the attention of President Tinubu on the need to strengthen its capacity towards addressing the hardships, unemployment, ensure critical investment into Agriculture and put an end to increasing hunger and poverty in Nigeria through constitutive criticisms.

“However, Many have been asking questions if opposition political parties exist in Nigeria. The answer is not far fetch, before now, all other opposition political parties including the PDP have proven to be weak and lacked the capacity to stand high and challenge the programs of the current administration due to acquittance.

“Today, SDP is gradually becoming a norm and a veil that an average Nigerian uses to cover themselves in the face of uncertainty. This is may be attributed to Gabam’s local and international relations which is greatly assisting the party to have a deep grasp of the grassroots.

“Recently, The Central Bank of Nigeria announced their intention to introduce a cyber security levy at the time an average Nigerian feeding from hand to mouth. Only SDP through the national stood up against this ill-fated government policy which forced the Federal Government to suspend the program.

“His dedication to the democratic principles and aptitude for communicating the people’s goals struck a chord with the party’s leadership and general membership, triggering a vote of confidence in his leadership.

“The conviction that politics should serve as a vehicle for constructive change is a clear mandate of the opposition political parties but surprised of an average Nigerian only SDP is exhibiting and living to this expectations.”

 

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