Ex-AGF Kanu Agabi Criticizes Presidential System, Calls It A Breeding Ground For Dictatorship

Former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi, has criticized Nigeria’s presidential system of government, arguing that it fosters dictatorship. He made this assertion during the 23rd Mike Okonkwo Annual Lecture, themed ‘Nigeria’s Pathways: Diagnosis and Prescriptions,’ in honor of Bishop Mike Okonkwo’s 79th birthday.

Agabi expressed concern over Nigeria’s governance, warning that the nation’s continuous reliance on prayer without action was testing divine patience. He called for radical reforms, stating that the country’s system of governance needed significant change.

“The presidential system we currently operate promotes dictatorship because all executive powers are concentrated in one man,” Agabi said. He noted that while the intention behind concentrating power in the president was to unite the nation, it has instead resulted in oppressive leadership.

He further emphasized that prayer alone was not enough to solve Nigeria’s challenges and called for decisive action from the people. He cautioned that the nation’s reliance on unqualified individuals in key positions had worsened governance, leading to widespread corruption and oppression.

On the issue of elections, Agabi expressed skepticism about the possibility of free and fair polls if political parties continued to resort to unethical practices. He stressed that Nigeria must rely on its own people to ensure credible elections, as external forces or “angels” would not intervene to conduct them.

Agabi’s remarks underscore the growing call for reforms to address Nigeria’s deep-seated governance challenges.