A former Minister of Works, Raji Fashola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN),has said Nigeria once practised a parliamentary system but failed, which led the country into unwarranted disaster.
He said, “Let’s think deeply about why the parliamentary system failed us. Have we overcome those reasons?”
Rather than calling for a change of system of government, the former minister suggested a liberal democracy that would ensure better and improved livelihood of Nigerians.
He said: “Those calling for system change are instigated by economic reasons. If only they are confident that the government would provide for their economic need, they won’t chant this clamour for change.
“If there is sincerity of purpose, there will be better life for all, even under the present system of government.
“Those calling for change of government are the canvassers of restructuring, which can be done with constitutional review/amendment of the areas not suitable for us,” he suggested.
He said poor distribution of the commonwealth and even development often played a common reason for the call for change of system of government.
“Why must we go back to the system that once catapulted our country into disaster? He queried.
He advised that the country retains the present federal arrangement, with a call that excessive cost of governance be reduced, “not outright call for a parliamentary system.”
In his welcome address, the founder of Ghalib Chambers, Prof Yusuf Ali, appreciated God for what he described as infinite favour and blessings for turning the fortune of the firm beyond expectation.
