A legal giant and elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola has called for the suspension of the 2023 general elections until Nigeria has "a new look peoples" constitution which should provide for part-time legislators and non-executive president.
Babalola demanded that an interim government should be installed at the expiration of the current administration of President Mohammadu Buhari in May 2023.
Speaking at a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, the legal icon said the interim government should be drawn from all living former Presidents and Vice-presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegate of prominent professional bodies.
The elder statesman stressed that the interim government should be in office for six months to chart a new course for Nigeria, saying the professional association could be drawn from Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities and Civil Society Organisations.
Babalola who noted that such delegates should be elected on zero party bases, regretted that the current 1999 Constitution, foisted on Nigerians by the military was no longer in tune with the current realities in Nigeria.
He said the Constitution has made politics become the only lucrative business in Nigeria.
The Universoty proprietor noted that any election that holds under the current scenario will end up producing transactional and recycled leaders, with no ability to turn things around.
He advised that the new Constitution which should be coordinated by the interim government should spell out rules and regulations on improved qualifications of those contesting elections.
He added that the new Constitution should provide for part-time legislators and not full-time legislators, considering the attendant waste of resources.
“The new Constitution should also provide that there shall be no salary, but sitting allowances only for lawmakers.
“It should provide a true federal system of government, instead of the expensive presidential system of government. I suggest a parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature.
“The new Constitution should also provide a body at the local, state and federal levels to screen all aspirants on the sources of their wealth and means of livelihood, a criminal record which includes pending suits,’’ he said.
Chief Babalola added that any person that would become the president of Nigeria should not be older than 60 years of age and must have a varsity degree.
Source: NAN.
No comments:
Post a Comment