Tony Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections in Rivers State, has said that the imported presidential system will not work in Nigeria.
Cole stated this while discussing the state of the nation on Channels TV’s politics Today.
He said that the system in Nigeria was designed to be hijacked by a few people, saying the issue should be addressed.
Cole said, “This American system that is called the presidential system in Nigeria we need to go and address it. We cannot import a parliamentary system from the UK and work here. We cannot import a presidential system; it will not work here as in every African country. Are we satisfied with the system and democracy we adapted? No, because it is contrary to who we are.
“The system can be easily exploited by a few. With this system you have not built institutions you can hold accountable. The institutions are modelled along the British system. The British system is not our system.”
Cole added that Nigeria must position itself as a good negotiator on foreign policy table to get it right.
He said that if Nigeria gets it right, the whole African continent will begin to pay attention.
He added, “You should do two clear things. First of all, position Nigeria as a serious negotiator on the table. One thing we must understand is that, if Nigeria gets it right, not only the sub-region, the whole of Africa will begin to pay attention. So Nigeria commands influence. But when you are commanding influence, you don’t go begging. So, you have a clear issue of what is good for us.”
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