Chief Afe Babalola, a legal luminary and elder statesman, has declared that when President Muhammadu Buhari’s term ends in 2023, an interim government should take over.
Afe Babalola, who stated this in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday, suggested that the interim administration remain in place for six months in order to set a new direction for Nigeria.
The 2023 elections should be postponed until Nigeria has a “new-look peoples’ Constitution” that includes part-time lawmakers and a non-executive president, according to Babalola.
Afe Babalola Gives Reason Constitutional Review Before 2023 Is Unnegotiable
Members of the interim administration, he added, should be chosen from among all living previous presidents and vice presidents, as well as a few selected ministers and governors, and delegates from significant professional organisations.
The Nigeria Medical Association, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Labour Congress, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Academic Staff Union of Universities, and Civil Society Organizations are examples of professional associations.
The elder statesman, who stated that such delegates should be elected on a non-partisan basis, expressed disappointment that the present 1999 Constitution, which was imposed on Nigerians by the military, was no longer relevant to current reality.
“The same Constitution has made politics become not only very attractive, but the only lucrative business in Nigeria today. What this means is that any election that holds under the present scenario will end up producing transactional and recycled leaders, with no ability to turn things around,” he said.
Afe Babalola: Nigeria Still Searching For True Democracy 29 Years After
Afe 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 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, criminal record which includes pending suits.
Afe Babalola: Why Nigeria Needs New Constitution
“Any person that would become the president of Nigeria should not be older than 60 years of age and must have a varsity degree,” he said.
Follow us on Facebook
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.