A former Governorship Aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun state, Segun Showunmi has called for a credible opposition to balance the government’s actions and regain citizens’ trust in democratic processes.
Showunmi stated this during the launch of the National Opposition Movement Coalition (NOMC), with the goal of revitalising democracy in Nigeria.
The movement, also known as “the alternative,” aims to tackle the erosion of electoral integrity, the absence of ideological direction in political parties, and the declining voter confidence in the country.
During a briefing with journalists in Abuja on Monday to unveil the movement, Showunmi emphasised the urgent need for a credible opposition to counterbalance government actions and restore citizens’ faith in democratic processes.
Engage political actors
He emphasised that the coalition would not evolve into a political party but would serve as a civic platform to engage political actors, national stakeholders, civil society, and democratic institutions.
“Nigeria’s democracy has come a long way since 1999. We have made some progress with multi-party democracy. We have successfully achieved the transfer of power from one party to another in 2015,” he said.
He explained that the movement plans to focus on advocacy and voter education to combat vote trading, a practice Showunmi described as a highest bidder heist undermining Nigeria’s democratic values.
The movement will also work towards reorienting citizens on the consequences of electing individuals with questionable wealth or integrity into leadership positions.
“We have watched with agony as the clear ideological differences within parties have disappeared, making the choices first about individual personalities and less about values and ideology. Sadly now, it is evolving dangerously to just money in the highest bidder heist of the suffrage of the electorate in our beloved country,“ he stated.
Showunmi said the reason for the birth of the movement is the need to rescue the nation’s democracy from any danger on the horizon.
“We shall spend our time and resources on the reorientation of citizens. We shall work towards eradicating the menace of trading in votes for a token. Consequences of the obnoxious practice of trading in votes will be explained through proper education and advocacy.”
The coalition also announced a timetable for zonal town hall meetings starting in December 2024 to engage with citizens and mobilize grassroots support. These meetings will take place across six geopolitical zones, beginning in North Central and concluding in South West by February 2025.
Showunmi added that the march has begun and they were extending hands in partnership with all Nigerians desirous of a vibrant opposition and transparent, credible democratic and electoral processes.
Lateefah Ibrahim
Comments are closed.