Vice President Kashim Shettima and former Lagos state governor, Raji Fashola on Saturday, said that the call for a parliamentary system of government being championed in some quarters may not necessarily be the way out of the perceived unjust distribution of commonwealth and infrastructure in the country.
Speaking as a principal guest and guest speaker, respectively, at the 30th anniversary of Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN)’s Ghalib Chambers in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, they both said that only quality governance would shape the society not the system of government.
However, they advised those calling for the return of the country to a parliamentary system of government to deeply reflect on whether the reasons that caused its collapse before the First Republic have been taken care of or not.
The Vice President said that President Bola Tinubu had never used his office to influence the electoral process since he assumed office.
He stated that the president and the Presidency decided to steer clear of the electoral process because of President Tinubu’s belief in political freedom, fair play and justice.
“President Bola Tinubu never influenced the electoral process and we (presidency) never used instruments of office to hunt or hound perceived opponents.”
According to Shettima, democracy can only survive by adherence to the rule of law and quality of governance not by a perliamentary system.
He said that many nations collapsed because of a lack of access to truth and good governance, “many nations that collapsed did because of lack of access to truth and justice; their access to justice frustrated,” he said.
Fashola recalled that Nigeria once practised a parliamentary system but failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster.
“Let’s think deeply about why the parliamentary system failed us and; had we overcome those reasons?”
The former minister for works and housing said that rather than calling for a change of the system of government, suggested liberal democracy that would ensure better and improved livelihood of Nigerians.
“Those calling for the system change are instigated by economic reasons, if only they are confident the government would provide their economic need, they wouldn’t chant this clamour for change.
“If there is sincerity of purpose, there will be a better life for all even under the present system of government.
“Those calling for a change of government are the canvassers of restructuring which can be done with constitutional review/amendment of the areas not suitable for us.”
He stated that poor distribution of commonwealth and even development often played a common reason for the call for a change of the system of government.
Fashola, however, blamed the call for a change of system on poor education especially of political history, “if people are not accustomed to how a system works, they will be frustrated and call for its change.
“Why must we go back to the system that once catapulted our country into disaster?” he queried.
He advised that the nation retains the present federal arrangement with calls that excessive cost of governance be reduced, “not outright call for a parliamentary system,” he said.
Fashola commended the celebrant, Yusuf Ali, encouraging that the annual gathering has always rubbed positively on the society, saying: “Ali’s challenge will be the sustenance of the chamber.”
In his welcome address, the founder of Ghalib, Professor Yusuf Ali, appreciated God for what he described as infinite favour and blessings for turning the fortune of the firm beyond calculated expectations.
