Oluwatosin Enesi
Fashola, who spoke on Saturday during an interview on Channels Television, said the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the platform for the coalition reflects Nigerians’ constitutional right to free political association, but questioned the ideological foundation and long-term impact of the alliance.
“There are many things to take away from those developments. I think the first is that it puts a lie, a big lie, to the story making the rounds about eight weeks ago that Nigeria was going to become a one-party state because there is an opposition of some quality, whatever that quality may be,” Fashola said.
The former Lagos State governor acknowledged that the move demonstrates a revival of democratic engagement while cautioning that the coalition’s effectiveness will depend on the clarity of its vision and policy agenda.
“Gathering ourselves together and saying we want to change Nigeria is all very well and good. But what is the compelling alternative message? Without a manifesto, without a programme of action, I can’t speak to how persuasive the coalition will be. There’s still a distance to run,” he noted.
Fashola also criticised Nigeria’s opposition parties for what he described as a prolonged period of inactivity and failure to provide meaningful checks and balances in the past two years.
“I respect the right to associate, and Nigeria perhaps benefits from the reawakening of opposition, from what has been a long slumber, if you ask me. The opposition essentially abdicated its responsibility over the last two years,” he said.
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