Krestnews reports that a group of 60 lawmakers has initiated a move to abrogate the current presidential system of democracy and revert to the old parliamentary system used previously in the first republic.
According to the report, a bill seeking constitution amendment was introduced in the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday, February 13, by a group, known as Parliamentary Group, setting in motion what could be a transition to a parliamentary system by 2031.
Three constitution alteration bills were presented by the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), and 60 others during plenary.
The spokesperson of the group, Abdulsamad Dasuki, while briefing journalists at the Press House of the National Assembly on synopsis expressed their frustration with the expensive presidential system and the overbearing powers of the president.
“No wonder the Nigerian President appears to be one of the most powerful Presidents in the world,” Mr Dasuki said.
“Over the years, the imperfections of the Presidential System of Government have become glaring to all, despite several alterations to the constitution to address the shortcomings of a system that has denied the nation the opportunity to attain its full potential.
“Among these imperfections are the high cost of governance, leaving fewer resources for crucial areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and consequently hindering the nation’s development progress, and the excessive powers vested in the members of the executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people,” he said.
The lawmakers seem not confident about their chances of success in getting the bill passed within the current Assembly, therefore, setting a timeline of 2031 for the constitutional amendment to allow the transition.
Mr Dasuki said the group is seeking to spark a conversation about the lack of effectiveness of the current presidential system.
“The bills presented today seek a return to the system of government adopted by our founders, which made governance accountable, responsible, and responsive, and ultimately less expensive,” he said.
Krestnews recalls that Nigeria operated under the parliamentary system pre-independence and in the First Republic. However, the coup of 15 January 1966 truncated that republic.
The military suspended the civil government and ruled the country until the transition to democracy in 1979, but the Second Republic was built on the 1979 Constitution which prescribed the presidential system.
The proposal by the lawmakers is seeking to revert to the First Republic system with a prime minister, a member of parliament, serving as the head of government, similar to the British system.
In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy and authority from the legislative branch. The head of government (often the prime minister) is typically a member of the legislature and is accountable to it. This system fosters a close relationship between the executive and legislative branches, allowing for efficient decision-making and policy implementation.
However, some experts believe that the parliamentary system polarised the country during the First Republic – especially as the prime minister needs not to be acceptable to the majority of citizens – paving the way for the military to strike.