The Role of Opposition Political Parties in Enhancing Good Governance: A Case of Selected Countries in Africa

This article focuses on opposition political parties in enhancing good governance. It proceeds to demonstrate the potential of opposition political parties in Africa. It demonstrates the extent to which opposition political parties can promote a culture of good governance, taking several major opposition political parties and events as cases for analysis across the African continent. A desk review of various critical literatures from selected African countries on the topic was undertaken to provide comprehensive understanding. This paper provides a discussion to insights on the role of opposition political parties in enhancing good governance; holding governments in place accountable; serving as a credible alternative to the ruling government; promoting and stimulating debates in parliament; training ground for future leaders; commitment to transparency and capacity building among others. However, in most African countries, being a member of opposition party is a dangerous pursuit due to the harassment, imprisonment, press censorship and the murder of opposition politicians by those in power; as a result, this has curtailed opposition’s performance of its ideal functions. The article concludes that comprehensive policy framework should be undertaken in understanding and appreciating the potential role of opposition political parties in Africa and detail the measures that can allow for stronger parties to have a more significant role in promoting good governance in the 21st century and moving forward.