Only Social Media Provides Real Opposition to FG, Says Pat Utomi

Only Social Media Provides Real Opposition to FG, Says Pat Utomi

Political economist and activist, Professor Pat Utomi, has lamented the weakening of Nigeria’s opposition parties, saying they no longer provide effective checks on the Federal Government.

Speaking at the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable in Lagos on Tuesday, themed “Nigeria and Opposition Politics,” Utomi argued that political parties have become timid and ineffective, leaving only a handful of voices on social media to challenge government policies and actions.

According to him, Nigeria’s democracy is suffering because opposition parties that should act as watchdogs have either gone silent or compromised, while citizens who speak out on digital platforms now bear the burden of holding leaders accountable.

“Political parties have lost their voices,” Utomi said. “The only true opposition today is on social media, where a few brave Nigerians continue to question government decisions. Unfortunately, parties that should institutionalize this role have become too scared or too compromised to act.”

He warned that such a trend poses a danger to democratic consolidation, as citizens need vibrant political platforms to express dissent, mobilize alternatives, and keep those in power on their toes.

Utomi called for a revival of issue-based politics, stressing that strong opposition is crucial to governance, accountability, and sustainable development. He urged young people and civic groups to push for reforms within parties and reclaim them as genuine platforms of democracy.

The roundtable, which brought together political thinkers, civil society leaders, and academics, explored the challenges facing Nigeria’s opposition space and ways to strengthen political competition ahead of future elections.