Reps move to end presidential system of government in Nigeria

A coalition of 60 lawmakers, known as the Parliamentary Group, has initiated a movement to replace the existing presidential system with the parliamentary model used during the First Republic.

This initiative saw the introduction of a constitution alteration bill during a session in the House of Representatives, spearheaded by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and other members who presented three constitutional amendment bills.

In a press briefing at the House Press Centre, spokesperson Abdulsamad Dasuki outlined the key points of the bills. The group, led by Dasuki, expressed dissatisfaction with the costly nature and concentrated powers of the presidential system.

Dasuki pointed out that the current system contributes to the perceived overreach of the Nigerian President, citing its expensive nature and the extensive powers granted to the executive branch, which lacks direct accountability to the populace.

With a targeted timeline of 2031, the lawmakers aim to push through constitutional amendments to facilitate the transition, underscoring their commitment to fostering dialogue about the drawbacks of the existing system.

“The bills presented today advocate a return to the governance structure established by our founding fathers, which prioritized accountability, responsibility, responsiveness, and overall reduced expenditure,” Dasuki.