Afenifere, a socio-cultural and political organization representing the Yoruba people, has commended the National Assembly for acknowledging the imperative to reduce governance costs and reform Nigeria’s political system.
In a press statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the organization expressed appreciation for the proposed shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system. However, Afenifere emphasized that the country requires more than merely transitioning from one system of government to another.
“There is a fundamental need to have the country return to the type of arrangement we had before the military incursion in 1966,” Ajayi stated.
The House of Representatives witnessed the first reading of a bill aiming to transition Nigeria’s governance system from the existing presidential to a parliamentary model on Wednesday. The bill, championed by 60 House members, led by Wale Raji (APC) representing Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State, marked a significant step in this direction.
In response, Afenifere asserted that the root of Nigeria’s socio-political challenges extends beyond the type of government system in place.
“It weighs more heavily on the structure. This is why we are insisting that the country be restructured. Anything tinkering with the Constitution that fails to tinker with the present structure would be cosmetic,” Ajayi said.
The Afenifere Publicity Secretary applauded the lawmakers for recognising the fact that Nigeria was better governed in the First Republic.
