Nigerian lawyer, Chief Afe Babalola has moved for the suspension of the 2023 general elections while suggesting an interim government as replacement.
Afe Babalola who made this known in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, on Monday noted that the interim government should be in office for six months to chart a new course for Nigeria.
He said members of the interim government should be drawn from all living former presidents and vice-presidents; some selected ministers and governors and delegates of prominent professional associations.
The elder statesman who pointed out that such delegates should be elected on zero party basis, said it was regrettable that the current 1999 Constitution, foisted on Nigerians by the military was no longer in tune with realities of the day.
“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 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.
“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.
