Ooni of Ife Backs Parliamentary System of Government, Supported by 60 House Members

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has recently expressed his support for a group of 60 members of the House of Representatives who are advocating for Nigeria’s return to a parliamentary system of government.

The monarch’s backing comes as a significant development in the ongoing discussions about restructuring the country’s political system.

During a visit by a delegation of lawmakers led by House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, and Rep. Abdulsamad Dasuki, the Ooni of Ife shared his thoughts on the current presidential system, describing it as “accidental.”

He expressed regret that the parliamentary system, which was in place after Nigeria’s independence, was short-lived due to military incursions that disrupted the country’s democracy.

The Ooni praised the lawmakers for their efforts in seeking to foster healthy competition among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, emphasizing that a parliamentary system would effectively unlock and harness the nation’s vast natural and human resources for development.

In response, Hon. Chinda and Hon. Dasuki expressed their concerns about the numerous challenges facing Nigeria and their optimism that the ongoing consultations with key stakeholders would lead to positive change.

They proposed a gradual transition to a parliamentary system, starting with local government elections and eventually moving to state and national levels.

The transition to a parliamentary system is seen as a potential solution to the various concerns raised by Nigerians across the country, addressing issues such as decentralization and restructuring.

The House members believe that their proposed actions, with the support of the Ooni of Ife and other key figures, will help to address the current challenges faced by the nation.

The Ooni of Ife’s endorsement of the parliamentary system and the ongoing efforts by the House members to seek the support of key stakeholders in the Nigerian project highlight the importance of dialogue and collaboration in finding solutions to the country’s challenges.