It's no longer news that a crop of lawmakers under the aegis of "Parliamentary Group" initiated a move to end the current presidential system and revert to the parliamentary system previously used in Nigeria’s First Republic. The spokesperson of the group is Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki from Sokoto State.

Today, I read how prominent Kano businessman and philanthropist, Aminu Dantata lent his voice to support the movement initiated by the "Parliamentary Group" . It caught my attention. All of a sudden amidst the clamor and agitation for secession, regionalism and true federalism across sections of this country as a progressive move, another section of political interest wants to regress to parliamentary government. We transitioned from parliamentary to presidential for copious reasons, why moving back instead of forward. It doesn't sound right to me and to me it smells of foul intentions, here is why.

The parliamentary system as touted is cheaper and more flexible to operate than the Presidential system however, it's flaws can be catastrophic for a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria. I will highlight this opinion with these points ?

Selection of the Executive:

In a parliamentary system, the head of government (usually called the prime minister) is not directly elected by the people but is instead chosen from among the members of the majority party or coalition in the parliament. After election for member of parliament, the leader of the majority party or coalition is invited by the head of state (such as a monarch, president, or ceremonial president) to form a government. The obvious problem here is that head of government will most likely be a "party man" seeking to please his party members who support his leadership rather than being the "man of the people" i.e the masses choice. In Nigeria we are tired of a group of people sharing national cake.

Term Limits of Prime Minister:

In parliamentary systems, prime ministers do not have fixed tenures like presidents in presidential systems. Instead, the prime minister serves at the "pleasure" of the parliament or legislative body, specifically the majority party or coalition in the parliament. As long as the prime minister maintains the confidence of the parliament, they can remain in office. Again, in Nigeria we know that the "pleasure" of our legislature doesn't usually align with the pleasure of the masses. We are accustomed to them receiving "special prayers" in their mailboxes far too often to be firm enough to give a vote of no confidence to a failing government and prime minister. So there is a great chance of having a failing government far longer than necessary.


Separation of Powers and Fusion of Powers:

Unlike presidential systems where there is a clear separation between the executive and legislative branches, parliamentary systems often feature a fusion of powers. The prime minister, as the head of government, is also a member of the parliament and relies on the support of the legislature to govern effectively. Again, in these part of the world, operating with less checks and balances is recipe of free for all disorder and chaos.


Last but most important is Ethnic-based Politics:

In a parliamentary system, the possibility of geopolitical zones with the most seats in parliament forming a coalition and perpetually dominating leadership presents a significant flaw known as ethnic hegemony or ethnic domination. This flaw arises from the structural dynamics of the parliamentary system, where the executive branch is formed by the majority party or coalition in the legislature. Basically, if one or more geopolitical zones know they have numerical advantage in the parliament, they can vote / rig in their choice party continuously and rule indefinitely. For context, the entire North currently occupies 53% of the seats in House of Representatives, 65% in coalition with South East, 72% in coalition with South West, 68% in coalition with South South.

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Well meaning Nigerians, we have seen enough "shege" for politicians to camouflage old soup as new soup. The way forward can not lead us backwards to what we found unpleasant. If the constitution must be amended, the only people facing change is True Federalism vis-a-viz Regionalism. Let everyone control their space, a weaker center i.e Federal Government and stronger Regional Governments.

If they are aiming to cut costs, Regional Government is the way to go because, I don't understand why my region, SE as small as it is needs to have 5 states, 5 governors, 5 legislatures wasting billions everyday. We should have galvanised and used our size to advantage. For example, instead of contributing to sponsor a bogus rail line from Port-harcourt to Maradi, in faraway Niger Republic, we can raise a fifth of the budgeted money to build 2 sophisticated rail lines that run across the region from current Ebonyi to Abia, one for human transport and the other for cargo. Build Cargo airports, Power plants, draft our own policies and maintain our regional police and para-paramilitaries.

And they’re just realizing this, after their brother has finished our money on top Niger Fulani? Layé, we no gree! If we must change our system of government then we must renegotiate this our unholy union that empowers the north to contribute nothing but problems while eating the lion share of others!

How do I delete dis wan na!

olisaEze:

Please no spamming . Contribute your valid opinions about Parliamentary System or what you think is behind this sudden drive to change our constitution.

fergie001 Mynd44 frontpage

Thread should be titled: Epistles Of A Scared Agbadorian.

VeryWickedMan:
Thread should be titled: Epistles Of A Scared Agbadorian.

Make una dey read up people's previous posts before your pigment their identities, smh

They are scheming to leverage their falsified numerical strength in all areas including Federal constituencies, States, and LGAs to continue to perpetuate one of theirs in power for ever, ever, ever, and ever...


Should this happen, otilorrrrrr


Idiotas

Nice write up. Educative, and informative.
We should all sensitize our people to rise up against this latest plan of the north to keep us in perpetual bondage

Tha parliamentary whatever won't just work, Instead make them go back to regional govt...make everyone work on growing his region, atleast this security wahala go reduce first...

If not hypocrites at the highest level...when Buhari was there them no say pim oooo...

Democracy and the parliamentary system of govt have failed us in this country and it is very clear to everybody even unborn children know this too

Every region will clamor for what will favor their region and the North is now clamoring for a parliamentary system of govt in the House of Representatives while the South that wants a regional system of govt is shouting on the internet without working toward what it will favor them.

Do you think the north will work on what will favor another region? No, It can't be possible.

This is the time for the South to forge ahead and clamor for a regional system of govt. This is the time to protest rather than protest on the high cost of food. Everybody knows that Nigerians are suffering and any little mistake by the govt, the country can explode, so the southern states can use this opportunity to clamor for a regional system of govt.

There is nothing like a parliamentary system or regional system or separation
of the country in the constitution. They need to amend the Constitution and pass the bill before any of the three can happen. Violence can never amend the constitution.

The northern representative has started the move in the House of Representatives and this is an opportunity for southern representatives to push for a regional system of gov. I believe that if this happens, Nigerians will forget the current hardship in this country till the bill passes into law.

Before you point a finger to the North, first ask yourself who overthrown the regional government in Nigeria??

Anything outside of regional government the south will not accept it. Why they didn't come up with this when buhari was totalitarian? Their body itches once they are not in power similar thing they did to Jonathan which the southwest Joins the north.

Teetee777:
Democracy and the parliamentary system of govt have failed us in this country and it is very clear to everybody even unborn children know this too

Every region will clamor for what will favor their region and the North is now clamoring for a parliamentary system of govt in the House of Representatives while the South that wants a regional system of govt is shouting on the internet without working toward what it will favor them.

Do you think the north will work on what will favor another region? No, It can't be possible.

This is the time for the South to forge ahead and clamor for a regional system of govt. This is the time to protest rather than protest on the high cost of food. Everybody knows that Nigerians are suffering and any little mistake by the govt, the country can explode, so the southern states can use this opportunity to clamor for a regional system of govt.

There is nothing like a parliamentary system or regional system or separation
of the country in the constitution. They need to amend the Constitution and pass the bill before any of the three can happen. Violence can never amend the constitution.

The northern representative has started the move in the House of Representatives and this is an opportunity for southern representatives to push for a regional system of gov. I believe that if this happens, Nigerians will forget the current hardship in this country till the bill passes into law.

U made a very valid point

I know the person on the throne, and they cannot intimidate him. If Nigeria is going anyway, it will be regional.

Changing from Presidential to Parliamentary system is not the priority for Nigeria at the moment and it is unsafe given the level of demonic corruption in the hearts of our politicians and supreme court judges.

We are battling monumental corruption of our polithiefians and judges and changing the system of election will only give these criminals more leeway to hide under the confusion all changes brings to perpetuate themselves in power.

Although this bill is sponsored by a PDP Senator (Ned Nwoko) who practiced law in the UK, I hope it is not hijacked by MC Oluomo's boss to give himself tenure elongation.

For starters, the Parliamentary system in the UK does NOT have term limits and a British Prime Minister once served more than 20 years and a few others served 3 terms and even 4 terms.

We have to be careful what we wish for before MC Oluomo's boss in connivance with the corrupt Supreme court cash and carry judges gift the greedy drug baron a tenure into perpetuity for himself and his cronies.