President Bola Tinubu has never used his office to influence electoral process, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.
Shettima said this in Ilorin, Kwara State on Saturday during the 30th anniversary of Malam Yusuf Ali’s (SAN) Ghalib Chambers.
The vice President said that President Tinubu decided to steer clear of electoral process considering his belief in political freedom, fair play and justice.
“President Bola Tinubu never influenced electoral process and we (presidency) never used instruments of office to hunt or hound perceived opponents,” he said.
Shettima said democracy can only survive by adherence to the rule of law and quality of governance, not necessarily by system of government.
In a keynote address, the former Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) noted that the call for the reintroduction of parliamentary system of government being championed in some quarters may not necessarily be the way out to address perceived unjust distribution of commonwealth and infrastructure in the country.
Fashola advised those calling for the reintroduction of parliamentary system of government to deeply think and reflect on whether the reasons that caused its collapse before the First Republic have been taken care off or not.
He submitted that only quality governance would shape the society, not the system of government.
Fashola recalled that Nigeria once practiced parliamentary system, but failed and led the country into unwarranted disaster.
He asked, “Let’s think deeply why parliamentary system failed us and; had we overcome those reasons?”
Rather than calling for a change of system of government, the former Minister for Works and Housing suggested liberal democracy that would ensure better and improved livelihood of Nigerians.
Fashola commended the celebrant, Yusuf Ali for his robust contribution to the nation’s legal system.
Earlier, the Founder of Ghalib Chambers, Mal. Ali appreciated God for what he described as infinite favour and blessings for turning the fortune of the firm beyond expectations.