Afe Babalola advocates interim government after expiration of Buhari’s tenure
Chief Afe Babalola, a legal luminary and elder statesman, believes that when President Muhammadu Buhari’s term ends in 2023, an interim government should take over.
At a news conference in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, April 18; Afe Babalola stated that the interim government should be in place for six months in order to set a new route for Nigeria.
He emphasised that the 2023 elections should be postponed. This is until Nigeria has a “new-look peoples’ Constitution” that includes “part-time legislators and a non-executive president.”
Members of the interim administration, according to Afe Babalola, should be recruited from all living previous presidents and vice presidents; as well as a few select 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.
Such delegates, according to the elder statesman, should be elected on a non-partisan basis.
Afe Babalola expressed sadness that the current 1999 Constitution, which was imposed on Nigerians by the military, was no longer in touch with current circumstances.
“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.
The university proprietor 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 a 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, a criminal record which includes pending suits,’’ he said.
