The Osun State House of Assembly on Thursday has reversed the parliamentary system of government initiated by the administration of former governor, Rauf Aregbesola to presidential system.
Aregbesola, who is the current Minister of Interior, had during his government in the state, adopted parliamentary system for local governments in the state and argued that it is in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He had said his administration adopted the parliamentary system to deepen democracy and entrench genuine democratic practice at the grassroots in fulfillment of the wish of the people of the state.
The former governor had posited that the decision to adopt the parliamentary system was also in fulfillment of Section 7 (1) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Meanwhile, in reversing the system, the State Assembly passed the State of Osun Local Government Area Creation and Administration Amendment no 5 bill 2022 into law.
The lawmakers also passed Osun State Independent Electoral Commission bill 2022 into law at the plenary of the state House of Assembly in Osogbo.
The Speaker of the parliament, Timothy Owoeye in his remarks, described the bills as good developments for better Osun State adding that the action of the State House was backed by Section 7 of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
He said that the state local government administration has returned into presidential system of government.
According to Owoeye, “As from now on, the State of Osun Local Government Administration has moved back to presidential system of government.
“The local government administration will be operating presidential system as other tiers of government,” he added.
He said that the state local government administration has returned into presidential system of government.
The Speaker also noted that the State Independent Electoral Commission would now have their law that will guide and regulate its conducts respectively.
To this end, election can now be conducted at the local government level in the state to elect Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and Councillors at council areas and ward levels respectively unlike that of the parliamentary system where those who contested as councillors would be ones to elect the local government chairmen.