A former Governor of Osun State and past Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has thrown his weight behind the call for parliamentary system of government for Nigeria.
He disclosed his stand during the National Dialogue on Home-Groen Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday. Speaking at the event, Aregbesola emphatically backed calls for Nigeria to ditch the presidential system of government.
Stating his aversion for the presidential system of government currently practiced in Nigeria, Aregbesola gunned support for parliamentary system. This is even as he insisted that the arrangement in the parliamentary system is best suited for Nigeria.
He said, “If you go on believing that an individual, no matter how beautiful, no matter how good, could have the capacity to govern 220 million people all alone without checks, we are joking. So, by that consideration alone, I am opposed to executive system of government.
“I believe the collective arrangement which the parliamentary system guarantees is best for a nation like Nigeria. If indeed we are committed to advancing the interest of the large population and mass of our people.”
Recall that in February 2024, a group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives advocated a return to parliamentary system.
The lawmakers had through a bill sought to amend the 1999 Constitution. They want the country to transit from the current presidential system to the parliamentary system of government.
In canvassing support for the bill, the 60 lawmakers, noted that the transition has become necessary to reduce the cost of government in the face of dwindling revenue.
The bill titled, ‘The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations For a Transition To Parliamentary System of Government,’ was sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and 59 others.
The bill was read on the floor of the House during plenary session in Abuja on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
Defending the drafting of the bill, the spokesperson for the Parliamentary Bill Sponsors, Abdussamad Dasuki noted the need for the change.
He said, “Today, we stand on the cusp of history. As lawmakers across party affiliations and regional backgrounds come together to present bills proposing Constitutional Alterations that seek a transition to Parliamentary System of Government.
“Over the years, the imperfections of the Presidential System of Government have become glaring to all. This is despite several alterations to the Constitution to address the shortcomings of a system that has denied the nation the opportunity of attaining its full potentials.
source: Channels TV
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