Former governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola(SAN), at the weekend counseled those calling for the return of the country to parliamentary system of government to have a rethink and reconsider whether the reasons that caused its collapse before the first republic have been addressed.
As a guest speaker at the 30th anniversary of Yusuf Ali and Co (Ghalib Chambers) in Ilorin on the theme “Presidential or Parliamentary System of Government: Where is the Convergence?” Fashola recalled that Nigeria once practiced parliamentary system but failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster.
He asked: “Let’s think deeply why parliamentary system failed us and have we overcome those reasons?”
Rather than calling for a change of system of government, the former minister for Works and Housing suggested liberal democracy that would ensure better and improved livelihood for Nigerians.
He said, “those calling for the system change are instigated by economic reasons, if only they are confident the government would provide their economic needs, they won’t chant this clamour for change.”
According to him: “if there is sincerity of purpose, there will be better life for all even under the present system of government.”
He stated that poor distribution of commonwealth and development often played common reason for the call for change of 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 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.”
Also speaking at the event, the state governor, Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq urged Nigerians to continue to support the President Tinubu-led administration in its ongoing efforts to push some legal reforms in the country.
The Governor said that the affected legal reforms are for the best interest of the people of the country.
AbdulRazaq however lauded the celebrant, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali, for placing the state on top of the legal map in Nigeria and West Africa.
He also commended him for his philanthropy and his immense contributions to the legal development in Kwara State.
“Mallam Yusuf Ali SAN stands tall in the ranks of Ilorin legal giants who come immediately after the great Alikalis and our other forebears who had made their mark in the legal profession,” he added.
Earlier, the founder of Ghalib Chambers, Mal. Yusuf Ali, had appreciated God for what he described as infinite favour and blessings for turning the fortunes of the firm beyond expectations.
Hammed Shittu in Ilorin
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