Speaking at Harvard Law School in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, highlighted the necessity of implementing a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria.
He emphasized the importance of the president engaging with citizens regularly, suggesting that this would be a requirement under a parliamentary system.
Obi expressed his concern over the ineffective nature of the current presidential system in Nigeria, leading to the retention of poor leaders who lack accountability during their four-year terms.
He argued that in a parliamentary system, leaders could face a vote of no confidence within a shorter period, fostering greater accountability.
Under a parliamentary system, the president would also serve as a member of parliament, ensuring direct accountability to the people.
Obi criticized the current system wherein leaders can isolate themselves from accountability by hiring individuals to speak on their behalf, often resorting to nonsensical rhetoric.
He proposed that in a parliamentary system, the president would be obligated to directly address the people during designated question time sessions, eliminating the need for intermediaries.
By advocating for a parliamentary system, Obi aims to establish a framework where the president, as a member of parliament, interacts with and responds to the electorate on a regular basis, ensuring transparency and accountability.