Nigeria, Feb. 10 -- Like other liberal democracies, Nigeria's democratic system thrives on the existence of a vibrant and functional opposition. However, the current state of our political parties, as I discussed in a recent television appearance, is concerning. One of the key parameters to measure the efficacy of a political party is its organisational capacity and policy choices. Unfortunately, these elements are acutely lacking both in the ruling party and the opposition. Today, this column addresses the opposition's role in deepening democracy.

An effective opposition serves as a watchdog, providing checks and balances to the ruling party, while offering alternative policies that enhance governance. However, in the nearly two years s...