Proposed Parliamentary System: Reps parley Arewa Consultative Forum

By Christiana Ekpa

Members of the House of Representatives pushing for adoption of Parliamentary system of government held high-level meeting with the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) with a view to get their support in the passage of the proposed legislations.
Speaking after over two hours closed door meeting, 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.
Both parties at the end of the closed door meeting, unanimously resolved to set up a Committee that will review the proposed legislations with a view to make inputs for the benefit of the Country.
He said: “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 suggestions are being made and we are enriching our own knowledge which will help us in lawmaking on the floor of the Parliament.”