Every society needs viable opposition, says Gov. Okowa

Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta on Saturday said every society needs a viable and strong opposition for sustainable democracy.

Okowa said this in a paper he delivered at public lecture to mark the 83rd birthday of former Military Governor of the defunct Bendel State, retired Brig. Samuel Ogbemudia.

The governor said, ``strong opposition will consistently and responsibly expose the weakness of the ruling party and challenge it to deliver on its campaign promises.

``It is the duty of the opposition to articulate, aggregate and advance its ideology as superior to that of the ruling government and that the people’s interests are better served with them.

``That makes the opposition to keep the government on its toe and motivate it to deliver on good governance.

``Party ought to play their rightful roles in the democratisation process, while the party in government must seek to provide good governance and the enabling environment for growth and sustenance of democracy, `` Okowa said.

Okowa urged political parties to plan for the present and future needs of the people for democracy to be sustainable in Nigeria.

The governor also urged civil leaders and elected representatives to embrace the principle of deferred gratification and long term planning that has the welfare of the people at its core.