Legal icon and elder statesman Afe Babalola says an interim government should replace the current administration when President Muhammadu Buhari’s term expires in 2023.
Mr Babalola, the founder of Afe Babalola Universitytold a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Monday that the interim government should be in office for six months to chart a new course for Nigeria. He stressed that the 2023 elections should be put on hold until Nigeria has “a new People’s Constitution.” which should provide for part-time deputies and a non-executive president”.
Babalola said that the members of the interim government should be selected from all living former presidents and vice presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates from leading professional associations.
Professional associations could be the Nigerian Medical Association, Nigerian Bar AssociationNigerian Labor Congress, Journalists Union of NigeriaUnion of Academic Staff of Universities and Civil Society Organizations.
The elder statesman pointed out that such delegates must be elected on a zero party basis.
He said it was unfortunate that the current 1999 Constitution, imposed on Nigerians by the military, was no longer in tune with the realities of the day.
“The Constitution itself has made politics not only very attractive, but the only lucrative business in Nigeria today.
“What this means is that any election that takes place in the current scenario will end up producing recycled and transactional leaders, with no ability to change things,” he said.
The owner of the university advised that the new Constitution, which should be coordinated by the interim government, should detail the rules and regulations on improving the qualifications of candidates for election.
He added that the new Constitution should contemplate part-time and not full-time legislators, considering the consequent waste of resources.
“The new Constitution must also establish that there will be no salary, but only sitting allowances for legislators.
“It must provide a true federal system of government, rather than the costly presidential system of government. I suggest a parliamentary system of government, with a unicameral legislature.
“The new Constitution must also provide a body at the local, state and federal levels to screen all applicants on their sources of wealth and livelihood, criminal records including pending trials,” said Mr. Babalola.
The legal luminary added that anyone who becomes the president of Nigeria must be no older than 60 and must have a university degree.
(YAYA)