Greed, Money, and Fear: 10 Reasons Nigerian Opposition Parties Keep Losing Ground

The political landscape of Nigeria has witnessed the gradual weakening of opposition parties, especially since the 2003 elections, which saw the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dominate with overwhelming power. A report explores the reasons why the opposition parties, including the All Peoples Party (APP), Alliance for Democracy (AD), and others, have become ineffective or irrelevant.

In the run-up to the 2003 elections, opposition parties faced manipulation, subterfuge, and the overwhelming influence of the ruling party. The PDP’s strength was underscored by its control of a significant portion of both the national legislature and state governorships. The report reveals how the opposition’s failure to maintain momentum and unity allowed the ruling party to tighten its grip on power.

Key reasons for the decline of the opposition include greed and corruption among political actors, pressure from constituents to join the ruling party, and the overwhelming dominance of money in the political system. Many politicians defected to the ruling party in search of financial gain, political relevance, or fear of being left behind. Additionally, the lack of internal party democracy, a lack of a sustainable party structure, and the capture of state institutions by ruling party operatives further weakened opposition forces.

The report also highlights the role of the electoral process in disenfranchising opposition parties. With little faith in the independence of the electoral body, opposition politicians often gravitate toward the ruling party, where they feel more secure in winning elections.

Ultimately, these factors have led to a political environment in which opposition parties struggle to challenge the dominance of the ruling party, resulting in a system where political competition is limited and the ideals of democracy are undermined.