APC’s Critique Of Govt Policies Healthy For Democracy – Kalu

Former Abia State governor, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu yesterday said it was unfair for politicians to castigate the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the APC’s critique of government’s policies and programmes is healthy for democracy because they offer alternative idea.

Speaking to journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on arrival from London, Kalu said criticisms from the APC as the viable opposition party in Nigeria would enable the ruling party to sit up and address fundamental issues bordering on governance.

Kalu said, “It is good for every government to have a good, healthy opposition. People say APC is saboteurs party, I don’t agree with that. In a healthy democracy there is supposed to be criticism. I want my party the PDP to sit up. It is only in viable opposition that leaders will stand up. Leaders will be sleeping when there is no opposition.”

Kalu also proposed the abolition of the presidential system of government describing it as wasteful while canvassing for the adoption of parliamentary system of government and regionalism, which he said was more representative, cheaper and result oriented. He said, “I am of the opinion that Nigeria should abolish the presidential system of government. My reason is that the appointed ministers should be members of parliament so that they can see wisdom in serving their nation.

“So they can see wisdom in contributing to the arguments so that the lobbying between the ministers and the legislature will stop. So I see our working together as parliamentarians and ministers. This means that if you don’t win election you cannot come and become a minister.