Give Nigerians credible poll -Ango Abdullahi

Spokesman of the Northern Elders' Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi has warned denying Nigerians free, fair and credible election will be dangerous in 2019.

The former vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Kaduna called on the authorities concerned to ensure credible polls. 

He warned that anything short of that would be an invitation to avoidable crisis.

"To deny the possibility of fair and credible elections in 2019 will be dangerous for the country," he warned. 

Abdullahi while briefing newsmen at the weekend in Zaria, Kaduna State as part of activities to mark his 80th birthday, also said the North contrary to insinuations was not averse to restructuring as being perceived in some quarters, noting that the region stood to benefit more. 

He also advocated for parliamentary system of government, stressing the system was more accountable than the presidential system. 

This was just as he added that the presidential system was not only "corruption ridden buy full of impunity"

The Professor of Agronomy said lack of funding was the major problem militating against university education in the country today. 

The former VC said: "I believe in restructuring of this country. I have always argued that our first big mistake is to throw away parliamentary system of government in favour of the presidential system. 

"Presidential system we know is not for poor countries. It is a sophisticated capitalist based political system that gives special privileges and advantages to the strong against the weak. 

"I argued that presidential system is most accountable. In parliamentary system, you cannot be a minister without being elected from a base. So, you are already accountable. 

"Apart from this, presidential system is corruption ridden and we have seen it.  There is corruption and impunity in the system. 

"If we are going to restructure this country which I believe we should, our  first priority is  to move away from this presidential system to parliamentary as a more accountable and less corrupt system."