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Rauf Aregbesola, former governor of Osun State, has vocally aligned himself with advocates pushing for Nigeria to cast aside its presidential system in favor of a parliamentary one, arguing that this transformative step is crucial for Nigeria’s political and democratic growth.
He voiced his support for the shift during the National Dialogue on the Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday, a forum that brought together prominent leaders to reimagine Nigeria’s political system.
The immediate past Minister of Interior, a staunch critic of Nigeria’s current executive system, argued emphatically that the parliamentary system is the most fitting model for a country like Nigeria, one that could better reflect the diverse needs of its people.
“If you go on believing that an individual, no matter how beautiful, no matter how good, could have the capacity to govern 120 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,” Aregbesola said.
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A group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives made headlines in February by introducing a bill to amend the 1999 Constitution, proposing a bold move from the current presidential system to the parliamentary system, a change that could redefine Nigeria’s governance structure.
According to the group made up of about 60 lawmakers, the transition has become necessary to reduce the cost of government in the face of dwindling revenue.
Titled, ‘The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations For a Transition To Parliamentary System of Government,’ the bill 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.
In a statement, a Spokesman for the Parliamentary Bill Sponsors, Abdussamad Dasuki 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.
He added that over the years, the imperfections of the Presidential System of Government have become glaring to all, 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.
