Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, yesterday took a swipe at
the presidential system of government being practiced in Nigeria, describing it
as a model that breeds corrupt leaders.
He also regretted that those who were not elected bulldoze
their ways into public offices under the present structure of governance.
Soyinka, who was among the panelists at the inaugural Public
Service Debate convened by the Saint John’s Forum, titled: Will Nigeria Be
Better Served By A Parliamentary System of Government?, spoke in Lagos.
The event, which also had former Minister of External
Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu,
who was represented by Prof Okechukwu Okoh, Dr. Abduraufu Mustapha as
panelists, was moderated by former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka
Anyaoku.
Soyinka further stressed the need for a public discourse on
the structure of government that can guarantee fair representation of
Nigerians, adding that the public became critiques of the presidential system
of government because it is close to kleptomania.
In addition, he argued that unlike parliamentary
democracy, the current system of
government in Nigeria, is prone to manipulation.
According to Soyinka: ‘’Parliament reminds me of the
organisation that I belong to, the international parliament of writers. The
organisation does not make law and does not belong to any constituency.
Whatever system of government you operate, is determined by so many factors.
There is a straight line between dishonourable members and what Nigeria is
going through. Yerima is one of those
that make laws but he defiles the law. We need a public discourse on a
structure that guarantees representation of the people. Those who were never
elected bulldoze their ways to the hallowed House.
‘’You can’t say that after the civil war, people can’t
examine the protocol that bind them. The cost of democracy in the two systems,
which is cheaper and less open to manipulation? Which one encourages
corruption? The public became critiques of the presidential system because it
is close to kleptomania. Presidential system breeds corrupt leaders.’’
In his remarks, Ajumogobia said: ‘’The characteristics of
the two systems of government, showed the tendency of each system to fail.
Parliamentary system has its characteristics that make it work. In Nigeria, we
have sectional leaders. Parliamentary structure ensures greater accountability.
In the list of transparent countries in the world, you will discover that the majority
operate parliamentary system. It provides for better benefits to the people.’’
Also speaking, Ekweremadu said, ‘’unless the government
addresses the past, it can not work. We need a system that will protect our
values. We need a system that will
address all the questions begging for response. You can’t go forward except you
address the past. The ideals of
presidential system is good but the problem is the operators. Every system
aspires to make its institutions work, but the problem is the operators of that
system. We need a people oriented system.’’
Other speakers at the forum took turns to advance their
preference for any of the systems of governance. But an opinion poll that was
conducted at the event indicated that many would want a parliamentary system
for the nation.
The St. John’s Forum is a non-partisan platform committed to
advancing dialogues that promote the common good in all aspects.
It believes that the coming together of such a diverse body
of people with widely differing backgrounds and aspirations to debate the
issue, must ultimately promote good governance.
VANGUARD
0 comments:
Post a Comment