LG Administration: Parliamentary System Gains Acceptability In Osun

By Francis Ezediuno

The parliamentary system of government which the government of the state of Osun has adopted for the local government administration has been given thumbs up by a cross section of the citizens in the state.

Speaking against the backdrop of the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the just concluded local government election conducted in the state on Saturday, 27th January, 2018, the opinion of Nigerians was that the system was the best in the state considering many factors which included high cost of running government and curbing corruption and administrative excesses.

Speaking in support, Mr. Isaac Adediji, a popular publisher in Igbona Area of Osogbo stated that the high cost of running the presidential system must have been the reason why the state adopted parliamentary style at the local government level.

“There is no hiding the truth, we all know that the presidential system of government is one that is very expensive to run but since the constitution gives power to states to run the local governments as it is a subordinate constituent unit, then I think the decision of Osun to experiment with the parliamentary system should be allowed to stay.

“Let us use Osun as a case study, then the sustenance of Parliamentary system will depend on the success story of Osun.

“In as much as there were no electoral malpractices and the system was credible, we should let it be.

“Nigeria is a federation, where all the units are equal. In that case, Osun can do whatever it wishes within the confines of the constitution of the land”.

Meanwhile, a community leader in Baruwa Estate, Osogbo, Mr. Jamiu Abdulmalik stated that the government in its wisdom had done what it thought best.

According to him, though the presidential system is expensive, the parliamentary system too had its own advantages and disadvantages.

“We have tried the presidential system in 1979, 1983, 1993 and 1999 while the parliamentary system was practiced and terminated in 1966.

“We are not asking the whole of the country to revert to this system but let each state conducts its local government affair the best way they deem fit so as to conserve funds.

“In campaigns under the parliamentary system, the electorates will vote for councillors who will in turn elect a chairman amongst themselves”.

Another community leader, Alhaji Opeyemi Olagunju observed that it was all part of the regional integration agenda that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola had been championing.

According to him, he was happy that even the federal government has become aware of it.

He noted that prior to now, the federal government never talked of state police but of recent the vice-president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo came out publicly in support of it.