In a bid to seek support for a Nigerian type of parliamentary system, lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday paid advocacy visit to former National chairman of the All Progressives Party (APC), Chief Bisi Akande.
Indeed, in the view of the lawmakers, it is time for Nigeria to start the process of moving from the present American typed presidential system to a Nigerian typed parliamentary system.
Specifically, the honourable members are seeking a Nigerian kind of parliamentary system, saying the system should be adopted.
The minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinda Kingsley who led a delegation to Akande’s residence in Abuja emphasised that the time is ripe for Nigeria to start the process of moving from the present American typed presidential system to a Nigerian typed parliamentary system.
Hon. Kingsley said several issues had besieged Nigeria and necessitated the need to adopt a parliamentary system of government.
“We have been besieged by several issues as a nation and we must state that we believe in this country, Nigeria, we believe in the indivisibility of our country, but we also believe that we must be dynamic, we must not shy away from change and so we felt that we need to introduce something new on the table.
“Having considered the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, we think it is necessary for us to start the process to rejig our system, to start the process to move from the present American typed presidential system to a Nigerian typed parliamentary system” he said.
Justifying the advocacy, Honourable Kingsley said three bills had been proposed, saying that these bills have gone passed the first reading.
“For us to understand the government better and make decisions faster and easier for all of us in the interest of our nation, and so we have proposed three bills.
“The bills have gone through the first reading to take us from the local government to the state up to the national, back to a parliamentary system of government and this process will be gradual.
“We do not expect that the change will come almost immediately. We must begin to test run the system and continue to make consequential amendments to all other laws so that we’ll all be in sync” Kingsley added.
He however noted that as lawmakers their duty is to propose the bills but it’s for Nigerians to debate on it and take the final decision.
Meanwhile, the elder statesman and former governor of Osun state, stressed that democracy is built on discussion and expressed optimism that the cause will be productive at the end of the day.
“The most stimulating aspect of democracy is discussion. And what you have started now is to test the waters from the ideas of the Nigerian people.
“And now that you put it on the table, I know it will stimulate Nigerians of all walks of life to discuss, to review, to assess, and then advice” Akande said.
