If I Were Opposition Parties...on Local Elections

Let's face it: winning is sweet! In all cases. Okay, in most cases - for, sometimes, there is "hollow victory"! And, on somethings, pray, it's better to let go. Like all them family feuds and all them nasty work-place wars!

In this country, I counsel that you should work to win: fairly and honourably. Then, please work with the mandate, the mantle. That...is sweet victory! Yes, whether business or politics.

The masquerades behind the April Elections' saga have not been legally and finally unmasked. It may yet take a while. No matter. But their space is being squeezed, their pace being punctured, and their face being fattened for the ultimate slammer - da court of justice, and da people's boo!
All matter.

What then were the principal lessons of the rigger's heist from April? Very simple, folks, very very simple:

A) The power of incumbency was used, abused and misused. Opposition parties must weigh their chances. If da ruling party or dominant forces in the state are not serving the people well, the it should be easy to form a winning alliance...to take power.

B) If the ruling party be too strong to be successfully dislodged, wise opposition parties should explore its underbelly for deals: put up superstars with threatening local appeal, and negotiate some working collaboration or "unity government" agreement - without merger or acquisition!

In other words, let's maintain the beauty and benefits of democratic pluralism.

There is no better place and time to display your party's appeal and electoral prospects than at the grassroots polls. If your party be worth anything, show us in the local government elections. Here, costs are lower, seats are many and diverse, and voters are freer and more daring!

Finally, if you truly wish for your party to grow and spread over time, you must start grabbing, holding and growing council seats for grassroots representation. It is a winning formula for all.

So, if I were Nigeria's opposition parties, THIS will be my chance to put up quality candidates and put everything behind them...to win. This is also the chance to prove that opposition politics is not just about personal interests and primitive contestation. Let the best candidates win!

This is THE time...