Rauf Aregbesola, the former governor of Osun State, has strongly endorsed calls for Nigeria to abandon its presidential system of government in favor of a return to the parliamentary system.
Speaking at a National Dialogue on the Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja on Monday, Aregbesola, who also served as the immediate past Minister of Interior, expressed his opposition to the current executive system.
He argued that the parliamentary system is better suited to Nigeria’s unique political and social context.
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“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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In February of this year, a group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives introduced a bill proposing amendments to the 1999 Constitution to transition from the current presidential system to a parliamentary system of government.
The group, consisting of around 60 lawmakers, argued that such a shift was necessary to reduce the cost of governance amid declining revenue.
Titled The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations for a Transition to Parliamentary System of Government, the bill was sponsored by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and 59 other members.
The bill was formally read on the floor of the House during a 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 further stated that, over the years, the flaws of the Presidential System of Government have become increasingly evident, despite numerous constitutional amendments aimed at addressing its shortcomings. He argued that this system has prevented the nation from reaching its full potential.
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