A former Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, has strongly endorsed calls for Nigeria to abandon the presidential system of government in favour of a return to the parliamentary system.
Speaking at a National Dialogue on Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday, the former Minister of Interior, who opposes the current executive system, argued that a parliamentary arrangement is better suited to Nigeria.
“If we continue to believe that a single individual, no matter how capable or well-meaning, can govern 120 million people alone without adequate checks, we are simply fooling ourselves. Based on that premise alone, I am against the executive system of government,” Aregbesola asserted.
“I believe that the collective structure offered by the parliamentary system is far more appropriate for a nation like Nigeria, especially if we are genuinely committed to promoting the welfare of our large population,” he added.
In February this year, a group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced a bill proposing amendments to the 1999 Constitution to shift from the current presidential system to a parliamentary model.
This group, consisting of around 60 lawmakers, argues that the change is essential to curb the high costs associated with governance amidst declining revenues.
Titled, The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations For a Transition To Parliamentary System of Government, the bill was put forward by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and 59 co-sponsors.
During the plenary session in Abuja on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, the bill was read in the House.
Abdussamad Dasuki, a spokesperson for the parliamentary bill’s sponsors, stated, “Today, we stand on the brink of a historic moment as lawmakers from various political backgrounds and regions unite to present bills proposing constitutional changes to transition to a parliamentary system of government.”
He added that, despite several constitutional amendments to address flaws in the presidential system, its shortcomings have prevented the nation from realising its full potential.