Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), the former governor of Lagos State, has advised individuals advocating for the restoration of the Parliamentary System of government to reassess if the underlying issues that led to its end in the first republic have been effectively resolved. During his speech at the 30th anniversary celebration of Yusuf Ali and Co (Ghalib Chambers) in Ilorin, Kwara state, Fashola discussed the theme “Presidential or Parliamentary System of Government: Where is the Convergence?” He highlighted Nigeria’s past experience with a parliamentary system, which ultimately resulted in a disastrous outcome for the country.
Fashola who once served as the federal minister of Works and Housing proposed a shift towards liberal democracy as a means to enhance the quality of life for Nigerians, instead of advocating for a complete overhaul of the government system. He pointed out that those pushing for a change in the system are motivated by economic motives, and expressed belief that if the government could guarantee meeting their economic needs, the calls for change would diminish. He believes that with a genuine intent, everyone can lead a more fulfilling life, even within the existing government structure.
Poor knowledge of political history perpetuates this call.
He said the lack of equal distribution of wealth and development is frequently cited as a major factor in the calls for a new government system. These calls were attributed to poor knowledge of political history. He argued that without a clear understanding of how a system operates, people are likely to become disenchanted and demand change. He suggested that the current federal structure should be maintained, emphasizing the need to decrease the high cost of governance instead of pushing for a complete switch to a parliamentary system.
During the event, Fashola praised Yusuf Ali and emphasized the positive impact the annual gathering has on society. He mentioned that Ali’s biggest task will be maintaining the success of the chamber. Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the Kwara State governor, also spoke at the event and encouraged Nigerians to show their support for the legal reforms being pushed by the President Tinubu-led administration. The Governor emphasized that the implemented legal changes prioritize the well-being of the nation’s citizens.
Reps revived discussions on the most suitable government.
AbdulRazaq praised Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali for his outstanding achievement of placing Kwara State at the forefront of the legal landscape in both Nigeria and West Africa. He also hailed him for his generous philanthropic efforts and significant contributions to the legal sector in the state. Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN is revered among the prominent legal figures in Ilorin, following in the footsteps of the esteemed Alikalis and previous generations who left a lasting impact in the field of law.
The House of Representatives revived discussions on the most suitable government system for a multi-ethnic and geographically diverse Nigeria in February, diverting attention to the pressing challenges of Good Governance and inclusivity currently facing the country. At least 60 House of Representatives members proposed a bill to revise the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria in order to switch the country back to a parliamentary system of government. Legislator Wale Raji, representing Lagos State in the All Progressives Congress, played a key role in introducing the bill, which had its first reading in the House of Representatives.
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Advocates of the switch to the old governance system pointed to cost reduction in government operations and the importance of vigorous policy discussions as motivating factors. The debate revolves around the push for a revival of the parliamentary system of government in Nigeria, seen as the ultimate solution to the country’s numerous issues, despite Nigeria having moved on from this system long ago. While there are many benefits to switching to a parliamentary system, it should be noted that it also comes with challenges.