News
Reps members visit Bisi Akande, seeks support for Parliamentary system of government
Some members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to an Elder Statesman, Bisi Akande in his residence in Abuja.
The purpose of the visit was not unconnected with the call for a change of the system of government from a presidential to parliamentary system in Nigeria.
Speaking on behalf of the lawmakers, Hon. Chinda Kingsley said it’s time for Nigeria to start the process of moving from the present American typed presidential system to a Nigerian typed parliamentary system.
Hon. Kingsley stated that the several unpalatable issues that had besieged our country necessitated the need to adopt a parliamentary system of government.
The House Minority Leader said, “Our father, our leader, a de-tribalized Nigerian, a quintessential leader of the highest esteem, before you are your children, members of the House of Representatives, cutting across political party, tribe and religion.
“Sir, we sat down, looked at our country, where we’re coming from, where we are today, and where the country should have be based on her knowledge, environment, and circumstance.
“We have been besieged by several issues as a nation and we must state that we believe in this country, Nigeria, we believe in the indivisibility of our country, but we also believe that we must be dynamic, we must not shy away from change and so we felt that we need to introduce something new on the table.
“Having considered the pros and cons, advantages and disadvantages, we think it is necessary for us to start the process to rejig our system, to start the process to move from the present American typed presidential system to a Nigerian typed parliamentary system.
“Sir, we are not talking about a water type parliamentary system, not the textbook parliamentary system but we’re talking about one that will suit our country better for purposes of accountability, reduction of costs of governance, removal of that toga or aura that is built around public officers and our leaders who ordinarily are servants of the people.
To canvass for this change, Hon. Kingsley said three bills had been proposed, saying that these bills have gone passed the first reading.
“For us to understand the government better and make decisions faster and easier for all of us in the interest of our nation, and so we have proposed three bills.
“Sir, the bills have gone through the first reading to take us from the local government to the state up to the national, back to a parliamentary system of government and this process will be gradual.
“We do not expect that the change will come almost immediately. We must begin to test run the system and continue to make consequential amendments to all other laws so that we’ll all be in sync.
“We have come today to you, sir, considering your position in our country today, your wealth of experience, we know that we cannot succeed without tapping from the knowledge of those that have seen it all, and you are one of such persons in our country today.
“That is why we have come to you, to seek for your advice, to seek for your direction, to also tap from your inexhaustible wealth of knowledge in this sector, in public governance, both parliamentary and presidential system, and in fact the Nigerian system, which we know that you are very deep in understanding her workings”, he stated.
Hon. Kingsley however noted that as lawmakers, their duty is to propose the bills but it’s for Nigerians to debate on it and take the final decision.
“Finally, I will say sir, that at the end of the day, it is not our bill, it’s a Nigerian bill, so whatever Nigerians say will be the final result of this. As parliamentarians, we are dropping it on the table for Nigerians to deliberate and take a decision on it”, he added.
In his response, Bisi Akande said the most stimulating aspect of democracy is discussion.
While wishing the lawmakers good luck, the former governor of Osun State said the cause will be productive at the end of the day.
“Nigerian lawmakers and parliamentarians, I’m happy to welcome you. The most stimulating aspect of democracy is discussion. And what you have started now is to test the waters from the ideas of the Nigerian people.
“And now that you put it on the table, I know it will stimulate Nigerians of all walks of life to discuss, to review, to assess, and then advice. And at the end of it, I don’t see how your system will not be productive.
“I wish you the best in your endeavor, and I wish Nigerians the enjoyment of your good ideas. And in the end, I know you will come up with something that will do all of us good”, he said.
Senator representing Kogi East Senatorial District, Jibrin Isah Echocho, has congratulated Muslim faithful for the successful completion of this year Ramadan fast, urging them to celebrate the Sallah in love, and unity across our communities.
Echocho in a statement madeavailable to CAPITALPOST in Lokoja o Sunday, described the Ramadan period as stressful, but deserving, because it is the only period for spiritual reflection on abstinence from immorality, sincere sacrifice and supplications to Allah.
He added that, Ramadan symbolises Allah’s way of teaching humanity on virtuous living, where people keep away from all forms of comfort to appreciate what the less privileged experience and deprivation they suffers daily.
He task Muslims to extend the lessons of Ramadan to the way we live with our neighbours.
“Let’s seek peace at all times and promote unity of purpose in our society” the Lawmaker demanded.
“May the celebration brings sustainable peace to our homes, my district, Kogi State and Nigeria, he concluded.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has commended Senator Basheer Lado, for redefining the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters, stating that, for the first time in a long while, the office is fully meeting its expectations.
Speaking during his visit to the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Senate Matters accompanied by distinguished senators, Akpabio described the visit as a significant step in strengthening Executive-Legislative relations.
He praised the Special Adviser and his team for maintaining the confidentiality of communications between the President and Senate, and also, ensuring a seamless flow of information. He further emphasized that the office is now more result-oriented.
Additionally, he acknowledged the office’s diligent efforts in tracking all Bills passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, underscoring its critical role in legislative efficiency.
Expressing his satisfaction, Akpabio noted that he and the Senate delegation were proud of the office’s achievements and looked forward to sustaining the existing cordial and productive relationship between the Executive and the Legislature throughout the administration.
In recognition of his exemplary leadership, Senator Lado presented an Award of Excellence to Senator Akpabio.
In his remarks, Senator Lado reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a harmonious working relationship between the Executive and the Legislature. He lauded Akpabio for his unwavering dedication to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda—defending it with clarity, articulating it with passion, and advancing it through legislative action.
Ahead of the 2025 political party Congresses, Plateau State Chapter of the Labour Party (LP) stakeholders has endorsed the defection of the candidate of the party in the 2023 general elections and the leader of Justice and Rebirth, Barr Gyang Zi SAN, to the All Progressive Congress (APC) with the view to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
They made the call in a communique issued at the end of the enlarge meeting of the stakeholders from Plateau North senatorial zone at the residence of Barr. Gyang Zi in Rayfield Jos.
The communique which was jointly signed by Dr. Ayiki Sati Director General, Justice and Rebirth and
Barr. Samuel Galadima- 2024 Chairmanship candidate of Jos East LGA among others said the call became imperative on the sideline of the leadership tussle at the National Level which violates the core principles and values for the formation of the Party as an alternative for Nigeria for the protection, sustenance of democracy and Social Justice.
They regretted that the leadership tussle has also divided the party into factions leaving party loyalists and supporters in the state of despondency and confusion not knowing where they belong.
Our correspondent reports that the gathering included LP candidates from the 2023/2024 general elections, party executives, and support groups from the six local government areas of the Northern Senatorial District.
Besides, the focus of the discussions was centered on the state of the Labour Party at both national and state levels and the need for political realignment ahead of the 2025 party congresses and conventions.
The stakeholders further frowned at the structural weaknesses in LP and resolved to advise Barr Gyang Zi, to leave the party and join the APC while expressing confidence that the APC would provide him with a platform to advance good governance in the state .
The communique also emphasized the importance of political consultations, particularly with APC leaders at both state and national levels. It called for collaboration with Plateau State APC leaders, including Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, Sen. Diket Plang, and other party officials.
According to the communique, supporters of Barr Gyang Zi also pledged to mobilize grassroots support for the APC, stating that their leader’s defection would strengthen the party in the state.
They urged the APC leadership to formally receive Gyang Zi and his supporters into the party, marking their official transition from the Labour Party.
Stakeholders also reiterated the need for inclusive governance, ensuring that youths, women, and less privileged individuals are sidelined in the democratic process and accordingly officially denounced their membership in the Labour Party, declaring their support for the APC.
They assured that all LP structures aligned with Gyang Zi would follow suit, shifting their loyalty to the ruling party in the state and at the National level.
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