Former Governor of Abia State and former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has voiced his support for implementing a part-time legislative system for both state and federal lawmakers in Nigeria.
Kalu, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing the Abia North senatorial district, believes that this change could help reduce governmental expenses and improve public confidence in the government.
During a conversation over the weekend, Kalu elaborated on the benefits of a part-time legislature, suggesting that lawmakers could convene for three months to conduct constitutional amendments and then meet four times a year, with provisions for emergency sessions if needed.
He proposed this model for the Senate, the House of Representatives, and all 36 state legislative houses in Nigeria.
Kalu argued that such a system would not only save money but also restore trust among the Nigerian populace.
He suggested that regional governance could complement this approach, with ministers and legislators operating within a streamlined, cost-effective framework.
“If we’re going for a regional government, it also means that the ministers, the legislators, will be the same. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of how we can save money to run Nigeria because the country needs money,” Kalu stated.
He urged the President and the National Assembly to consider laws that would facilitate this transition to a part-time legislature.
Kalu also addressed misconceptions about senators’ salaries, asserting that they are not as high as many Nigerians believe.
He emphasized that transitioning to a part-time legislative system would bring financial relief and trust to the Nigerian people.
This statement by Kalu reflects his ongoing advocacy for measures to reduce government spending and enhance the efficiency of Nigeria’s political system.