Beware of possible revolution amidst Nigeria’s worsening economy and hardship – Aregbesola
Rauf Aregbesola, the former Governor of Osun State has lamented present hardship and worsening economy, and warned the political class of possible revolution in the country.
Aregbesola who was a two-termed governor of Osun State issued this warning while addressing the press, highlighting what could be the major catalyst for the possible revolution.
Ogbeni Aregbeshola cited current economic mishap, unfavourable economic policies and weak spiritual condition mindsets as what would be the major prerequisites for the anti-civil movement by the citizenry.
The ex-Minister of Interior noted that if the current “sorry” situations of the country are continued to be handled with levity, it could lead to unconstitutional ousting of the current administration.
Aregbesola who is known to be a former political ally of the current president of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, issued this “wake-up” statement on Monday during a panel session at a national conference on the Parliamentary Bill−a programme organised by the Parliamentary System Support Group in the House of Representatives, Abuja.
The programme which was attended by various political dignitaries, including Ogbeni Aregbesola, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakbu Dogara, the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, Youth Advocate Chimdi Neliaku, among others.
A former member of the Lower Chamber, Nnenna Ekeji, served as the moderator at the event.
The group is known for the incessant call on Nigeria to return to a cabinet system of government. Recalling, in February, 60 lawmakers in the House sponsored a bill in the National Assembly in favour of amending the Nigerian 1999 Constitution to smooth-sail the reinstatement to the system.
Statement On Revolution
The former governor noted that daily, Nigeria declines and the cited the wide gap between the few rich and majority poor. He stated that the current hardship and worsening economy have appealed to many Nigerians that only through Revolution their future can be secured.
His statement reads: “We have seen worsening economic—even political and spiritual—conditions of Nigerians. You don’t need to be a nuclear scientist to know that. A smaller percentage of Nigerians are now prosperous—not that there is no prosperity in Nigeria—but it is decreasing daily.
“When I was born, and during my developmental years, wealth was not as limited to the hands of a very few people as it is today. So, what does that tell us? It tells us that we are in deep trouble. We would not be here discussing this if things were normal in Nigeria,” he said.
The former head of the Ministry of Interior under the immediate-past administration of the President Muhammadu Buhari, reminded at the event that he advocated in the past that the basic responsibility of any responsible government should be the welfare and security of the people.
He further stated that “no nation or country can stand without guaranteeing the two.
“Whatever does not give appropriate opportunity or rights to the people will be resisted no matter what you do. If other things fail, people can revolt. If we are conscious of all this and understand the consequences of things getting out of hand, we would be interested in finding the best ways to govern ourselves,” he said.
View On Parliamentary System
Former Minister of Interior strongly posited that switching back to a parliamentary system, as clarified in the proposed bill, will guarantee that every individual in the country will take part in the administration of affairs as it is impossible for an individual to govern a country of over 220 million people, insisting that he had never supported the executive system. Beware Of Possible Revolution – Aregbesola
In Osun State, during Aregbesola’s administration, parliamentary system was adopted at the local government level during his period as the Governor of Osun State, stated that “dictatorial tendency” of Nigerian leaders could easily occasion another kind of colonialism, noting that the attitude of Nigerian leaders while in office can be likened to that experienced during the pre-colonial Nigeria.
He said, “If we go on believing that one person, no matter how capable, has the capacity to govern over 220 million Nigerians alone, without checks, we are kidding ourselves. By that alone, I am opposed to the executive system of government.
“I believe in a collective arrangement, which the parliamentary system best supports for a nation like ours. There was a weakness that led to our colonialism in the first place; it was a weakness. If you are strong enough, you wouldn’t be colonised. Part of it is these individual dictators we call rulers.”
Undemocratic Means To Suppression
His warning came after apparent increased in government’s unconstitutional means to suppress protesters. Ten days ago, the Nigerian government received jabs following their arraignment of teenage Nigerians for treason regarding the August protest against hardship. The protesters have the right, as enshrined in the Constitution, to peaceful demonstration.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara has lambasted the 49-member inaugurated committee who drafted the 1979 constitution which currently in operation.
The raged that the committee could have looked to do a better job while aiming to adopt the America-style President System. He noted that the committee chose to pick the arrears which are convenient but jettisoned other of equal importance.
Dogara pointed that the 1979 and 1999 Constitutions are bereft of clear procedures and provisions for impeaching an executive. He stressed that the provision in section 143 practically makes impeachment of a president impossible. Administration of the country should be in the hands of various political actors who are capable.
The Committee Performed Terribly – Dogara
“Major problem with the presidential system is not because we borrowed it but because those who copied the system did not do a wonderful job. I realised this in my undergraduate days.
“The issue is that the framers of the 1979 Constitution didn’t truly adopt the American system. In the US, impeachment of the executive is real; it can happen. Even judges can be impeached.
“House conducts impeachment for both the executive and judiciary, while the Senate tries them. If convicted by the Senate, they are removed, and it’s real. But in Nigeria, section 143 doesn’t offer any practical framework for impeachment.
“At the end of the day, all the National Assembly’s efforts are handed over to a panel of politicians they call people of impeccable character.
“I don’t know where we can find these ‘angels’. Their determination is final and cannot be challenged by the National Assembly or any court in Nigeria. And these seven people of ‘impeccable character’ are appointed by the CJN, who are appointed by the president. He asked: so how can this system work in reality?”
The former Speaker also looked into the concerns that the incumbent President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, if the bill is successfully assented to and passed into law, might use the opportunity to seek third term by switching to become the Prime Minister after his tenure as the president.
While addressing this concerns, Yakubu Dogara proposed that ideal constitutional amendments could bring an end to current pressing issues of the country.
