Ijebu-Ode, Ogun—Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Awujale II, Tuesday, described the presidential system of government adopted in the country as “evil.”

Adetona said the presidential system of government encouraged corruption and disservice to the people. He stated this at the central Yidi prayer ground in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, in a sallah message to thousands of Ijebu indigenes and friends of ijebu.

The monarch said that apart from the fact that the system was too expensive to run, it prevented developments expected to reach the nooks and crannies of the country. He said that corruption associated with the practice hindered developments at the grassroots.

Adetona canvassed for abrogation of the presidential system of government to be replaced with parliamentary system, which he said, “was better, less expensive and easier to run’’.

Adetona, who is one of the longest serving monarchs in the country having attained 50 years on the throne, called for a national conference where Nigerians would take a decision on how to re-organise the country.

He said the conference if convened, would adopt the best form of governance.
“The way our system is structured now, it will be difficult for a most sincere politician to perform and give the much expected dividends of democracy to the people’’ he said.

He said that in spite of the fact that the country made more money now than before, there was nothing to show for it in terms of  development owing to large scale corruption.

Adetona said that the country spent its resources on high bill and overhead for political office holders.

The monarch pleaded with his people to scrutinise those seeking for votes, urging them to elect credible leaders who would represent their interest at all levels.

Adetona called on all out-going elected leaders to use the remaining six months beore the end of their tenure to fulfil all their electoral promises.

Earlier, the acting Chief Imam of Ijebu Ode, Sheik Abdurasak Solahudeen, after leading the congregation on the two rakat prayers, thanked Allah for sparing their lives to witness the Eid-el-Kabir festival.

He urged them to be grateful to Allah and fear Him in all ramifications.
The Islamic leader warned the youths not to be involved in any criminal activities like killing, fraud and bribery in the 2011 elections.

According to him, Allah frowns at those who commit mischief on the surface of the earth.

“I must warn here that you do not kill because of position, it is only Allah who give power to whom He pleases.

“Make sure you elect credible leaders and do not collect bribe from them and sell the future of your children,’’ he said.

The Eid praying ground witnessed large turnout of Islamic faithful of Ijebu sons and daughters, politicians and top government functionaries, among others.