Reps Seek Obasanjo’s Nod For Bill On Parliamentary System

Eko Hot Blog reports that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advised house of representatives members pushing to reintroduce the parliamentary system through constitutional amendment to garner support from the critical masses.

The former president spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with members of the house of representatives promoting the bill.

The meeting, which took place in Abuja, was part of a series of consultations to solicit support for the bill, which passed the first reading at the house of representatives in February.

Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader of the house of representatives, led the lawmakers to the meeting.

Nigeria currently practises a presidential system of government that allows a direct election of the president.

Under the parliamentary system, the legislature appoints a prime minister, with a less defined separation of powers.

Nigeria practised the parliamentary system of government from 1960 to 1963 during the first republic.

Speaking at the meeting, Obasanjo said the lawmakers should have a long-term plan and be tactical in advancing their position.

Obasanjo said while he agrees that there is a need for a shift in the system of government, it must be one that will work well for the country.

“You are preaching to the converted, but as I have said, take the word parliamentary away,” he said.

“We need to get the critical masses. Parliamentary and all that — once you start that, you have gotten it wrong. Once you do that, you are putting yourself in a fix because there are those who would say: We don’t want parliamentary.”

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