A renowned public commentator and advocate for good governance, Prof. Farooq Kperogi, has called for a strong and credible opposition ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, stressing that opposition remains essential to the survival and growth of democracy.
Kperogi made the call during a high-level seminar organised by the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lagos State University (LASU), at the university’s main campus in Ojo, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “The Nigerian Opposition and the 2027 General Elections in Nigeria,” the scholar argued that democracy becomes hollow when dissenting voices, accountability mechanisms, and alternative policy ideas are weakened or undermined.
He commended the historic roles played by civil society organisations, organised labour, students, and the media in holding governments accountable, lamenting that many of these institutions have become weakened due to political co-option, funding challenges, and shrinking civic spaces.
On digital activism, Kperogi observed that while social media has amplified public dissent and political participation, it still lacks the institutional structure needed to convert online outrage into lasting reforms.
The professor also criticised economic policies associated with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank, arguing that such policies have contributed significantly to economic hardship and public dissatisfaction in developing countries, including Nigeria.
Describing the current state of opposition politics in Nigeria as fragmented and directionless, Kperogi said opposition parties had failed to present a coherent policy alternative capable of effectively challenging the ruling party.
“All I see is an opposition that lacks direction, is not strong, and has no clear policy alternative to dislodge the party at the centre. All they want is to get power at all costs, without sacrifice,” he said.
He urged students and young Nigerians to remain politically conscious, intellectually engaged, and actively involved in democratic processes that promote accountability, responsible governance, and national development.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of the Department of Political Science, Dr Abdul-Gafar Oshodi, described the seminar as a timely and significant contribution to Nigeria’s democratic discourse.
