TV with Umaru Sanda Amadu, Mr. Kwetey expressed concern over the growing trend of individuals contesting parliamentary seats primarily as a stepping stone to secure ministerial positions, rather than out of a commitment to legislative service.

“Parliament is a means by which you want to serve your people, and so, that should be your number one thing. So, don’t come telling me that I came to Parliament and hoping that I can get ministerial appointments. Please, please, that was not part of the contract,” he said.

Kwetey stressed that ministerial appointments should be seen only as a “bonus”, not a primary motivation.

“Ministerial is a bonus. In fact, I insist that the Constitutional Review, the first thing that must be done is to decouple this business about whether you are in Parliament, you can be selected to become a government member. No, they should decouple it. So that we have genuine Parliamentarians,” he added.

He further argued that the current system allows political aspirants to mislead voters by running for Parliament with the hidden aim of joining the executive.

“You cannot use the MPship to deceive the people of this country. Meanwhile, what you are looking for is ministerial. Focus on legislation, your heart is to legislate, go in there, legislate. That is what I will recommend the country go. The Constitutional Review must decouple the two.”

Emphasising the importance of legislative independence, Kwetey added that Parliament should serve as a true check on the executive, rather than being absorbed by it.

“Parliament must become a means of checking government. So, this thing about disappointments, please tone down,” he concluded.