Former minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola says the parliamentary system of government led Nigeria into “unwarranted disaster” at the time it was practised in the country.
He made this remark in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, on Saturday during the 30th anniversary of a law firm, Yusuf Ali & Co. (Ghalib Chambers).
In recent time, there has been a call for the country to reintroduce the parliamentary system of government.
The parliamentary system of government was practiced in Nigeria between 1960 and 1963.
On the 24th of February, a bill seeking to introduce the parliamentary system passed the first reading at the house of representatives.
The bill was sponsored by 60 lawmakers. They said 2031 is the proposed year to transition to the system of government.
Whilst speaking about the situation, Fashola implored the proponents to reflect on the causes of its “collapse” in the First Republic and confirm if the issues “had been sorted out or not”.
He added that the system “failed” the country and only quality governance would shape Nigeria better.
“They should reflect on whether the reasons which caused its collapse in the First Republic had been sorted out or not,” the former minister said.
“Nigeria once practised this parliamentary system, but it failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster.
“Let us think deeply on why the parliamentary system failed us and ask ourselves if we have overcome those reasons.”