Members of the House of Representatives intensified push for adoption of the Parliamentary system of government after holding a high-level meeting with the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
The two hours closed-door meeting was part of the ongoing consultation with critical stakeholders across the country with a view to get their support for the passage of the proposed legislation.
At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously resolved that a committee that would review the proposed legislations with a view to make inputs for the benefit of the country be set up.
Speaking after the meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Leader of the Parliamentarians who doubles as Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda underscored the need for paradigm shift from the current Presidential system of government.
He words: “We are here in continuation of our attempt to get to Nigerians to explain further the bills that we have proposed on the floor of the House which we expect will take us out of the present very laborious United States type of presidential system.
“But, what we are looking at, yes, we have called it a presidential system but it’s just a constitution review, a change of style that will reduce the baggage of government, a change of style that will make office holders more accountable.
“A change of style that will make government decisions arrived at easier and the execution carried out easier. A change of style that will make everybody in public office not to be a passerby, not to be sleeping but to be on his toes, and to be the best to our country Nigeria.
“We came to meet the ACF, to talk to them about this and to get their buy-in, just like we are also moving round to meet persons. We are also drawing from their wealth of knowledge because a lot of questions are being asked, a lot of suggestions are being made and we are enriching our own knowledge which will help us in lawmaking on the floor of the Parliament.”
On his part, Chairman, ACF Board of Trustees, Bashir Dalhatu expressed delight over the initiative, and also assured the delegation of the Forum’s readiness to provide necessary support.
According to him, We have just concluded a very engaging and fruitful meeting, and members of the House of Representatives, the Group which is advocating for a return of the parliamentary system of government.
“They have asked the Arewa Consultative Forum to sit with them, and engage them, and discuss the issues and define the ways to associate and support.
“But we have agreed that at the end, we are going to constitute a Committee that will be working with this honourable Members, to look at the draft bills they have prepared and to also make suggestions and inputs, that we hope that in the end will be for the best benefits to Nigeria and our people, and the whole country in general,” he added.
Dalhatu pointed out that there was a strong opinion that the Presidential system of government has run out of control and also too expensive.
Besides, he said it was not working very well, adding that it was time for people and the government to start looking at better alternatives.
He added: “You don’t have to call it parliamentary system. You don’t have to call it presidential system. There should be actually some form of Nigerian system, African, which take into consideration all of our values, visions, and views and aspirations, that is going to work for us.
“And whatever name you give it, we are going to be able to look at it and if we are happy and satisfied that it is going to work for Nigerians, we will support it.”