Ethnic nationalities and political groups across the Northern and Southern parts of the country are divided over the workability of the proposal by some legislators in the House of Representatives for a return to a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria.

In separate interviews with Saturday Sun correspondents, the leadership of groups such as Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Afenifere, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) and others are sharply divided over the proposal.

The bill proposing a transition to a parliamentary system of government passed its first reading in the House of Representatives on February 14, 2024, and its second reading on March 27, 2025.

Entitled ?The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations for a Transition to Parliamentary System of Government,? it was sponsored by 60 members of the House, led by Hon Wale Raji, representing Epe Federal Constituency in Lagos State on the platform of All Progres?sives Congress (APC).

ACF, NEF: Parliamentary system will serve interest only of political leaders

In separate reactions, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) said the move to replace the presidential system of government with a parliamentary system of government in the country would serve only the interest of political leaders rather than the masses.

National Publicity Secretary of ACF, Prof Tukur Muhammad-Baba and the Spokesman of NEF, Prof Abubakar Jika Jiddere told Saturday Sun that reintroducing the parliamentary system would serve as a soft landing for President Bola Tinubu to become a Prime Minister.

Said Prof Muhammad-Baba: ?It?s not a question of whether or not it?s feasible or practicable. It?s a question of whose interests are to be served. If the mighty and powerful powers-that-be want it, it will be done. Our current political culture is all for the processes and structures to work for the interests of the tiny clan of well-oiled men and women mighty, not for the struggling majority of the people.

?It?s difficult to see how this will pass through all the required steps towards such constitutional change, including Senate, the President, two-thirds of all state assemblies, and so on.

?The other critical point is that, will all political actors enjoying the perks of offices in the presidential system agree to such a shift, given that it will affect the humongous financial takeaways they enjoy for working ?full time? under the presidential system? It is very doubtful.

?I also think the country needs to concentrate on reforming the presidential system such as will drastically reduce running costs as opposed to oscillating from one system to another, looking for the way forward. It?s not the system that?s not working; it?s the people running and benefitting from it that do not want it to work the way it should. I doubt that reverting to the parliamentary system will in and of itself change this problem.?

In his own reaction, NEF spokesman, Prof Jiddere simply noted: ?It is a design for Tinubu to continue. In parliamentary system he can just contest as a parliamentarian and thereafter become a prime minister.?

Prof Obasi Igwe, an Emeritus Professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), dismissed the proposal as insufficient to address the nation?s deep-seated problems.

?Almost all Nigerians are complaining of the betrayal of Nigeria by their so-called representatives in the two chambers, at all the tiers of government, and they go on digging deeper. How would a parliamentary system remove corruption from a corrupt man, stop ?glitch? in INEC, transform courts from ?technicality? to justice, end the deaths of hungry millions starving into early graves, restore free education, ensure a modern and affordable health care system, or end the nationwide state-sponsored, orchestrated or condoned insecurity?? Igwe queried.

He further argued that Nigeria?s challenges require a more fundamental restructuring, rather than a mere switch In the form of government.

?None of Nigeria?s problems can be solved by continued patchwork, pretence, diversionary tactics, and subterfuge. Nigerians demand an immediate equity restructuring in terms of homogenous single-ethnic nationalities, side-by-side heterogeneous multi-ethnic nationalities, to enable each region take care of themselves in mutually beneficial cooperation with other regions.

?Between four and ten regions can emerge from this process under whatever system of government, with each region endowed with a degree of relative self-determination within One Nigeria. The priority is to establish the free and consensual units of association, after which the principles (Constitution) governing their relationships, whether presidential, parliamentary, and/or other indices, can be determined. A new, workable, and far better Nigeria would emerge from such restructuring,? Igwe concluded.

Parliamentary system best for Nigeria ? Afenifere, MBF, ADF

The pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has also thrown its weight behind the move to return Nigeria to parliamentary system.

The organisation commended the National Assembly for recognising the need to reduce the cost of governance and restructure Nigeria?s political system.

Afenifere agreed that changing from a presidential to a parliamentary system is a positive step, saying the organisation believes that the country must also return to the arrangement that was in place before military intervention in 1966.

The National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, noted that Nigeria?s problems stemmed from its structure, not just its system of government. He insisted that restructuring is necessary to address the issues effectively.

Afenifere also disagreed with the proposed implementation date of 2031, stating that the legislative work and restructuring must be completed within the first two to three years of the current administration.

The group suggested that the new law should be tested in state elections in 2026 and implemented for the 2027 general elections.

?The new law can be test-run in the states? elections that will take place in 2026 while the 2027 general elections must be conducted on the basis of a constitution that makes Nigeria a true Federation under a Parliamentary System of Government. Such a system should be one that confers powers to the constituent parts on matters affecting their respective areas.

?In other words, the constituent parts must be able to determine a lot of things about themselves in as much as such determination does not negatively affect or threaten national interests.?

While underscoring the need to urgently address such a pivotal issue for the country?s existence, the group urged the lawmakers to synthesise the 1963 Republican Constitution, the 2014 Confab Report, and the APC Committee Report on Restructuring, led by former Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai.

Afenifere stated that public debates should centre on these reports to create a constitutional framework that aligns with the current realities of Nigeria.

The president of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr Bitrus Pogu said the proposal, if it sees the light of the day, would be the best thing the lawmakers have done to the country. According to him, the presidential system of government with a bicameral National Assembly, is costing Nigeria a lot, noting that money is being wasted through the system. He described the parliamentary system as far cheaper and better for the country.

?If the lawmakers are moving in that direction, we will support them so that we can get this country moving right again,? he stated.

He said the Parliamentary system will have representatives from across the country, adding that the winning party will have the prime minister and the cabinet members who are also members of the parliament.

?It will be good for the country, because we have wasted so much on this present system. There are too much powers for the president and if we elect the wrong president, the country suffers for it. It is possible that regionalism may devolve form it, and other things. Anything that is going to reduce the wastages of the resources of the country is highly welcome.

?Whether its implementation will lead to extension of term or not, what we are after is what will be beneficial to Nigerians. This shouldn?t be the issue. The issue is that the parliamentary is a good system and we should not shy away from it just because some people are trying to use some sundry interpretations to scuttle it.

?If it going to be good for Nigeria, let?s just embrace it and forget about all those considerations. However, somebody has to gain and somebody has to lose, but in the long run we want Nigerians to be the main beneficiary of whatever transformation that is going to be meted out to this country and on our political system,? Pogu said.

Also speaking, Chief Abia Onyike, Secretary General of the Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), hailed the move, describing it as a step in the right direction.

?The urge to return to the parliamentary system is most welcome. The parliamentary system is more inclusive and less expensive to operate. The presidential system, which we borrowed from the USA, is more autocratic in nature. It supports the anachronistic idea that politics is a zero-sum game. It should be abolished in Nigeria,? Onyike stated.

System not the problem, but leaders? character ? CNG, INC

The National Coordinator of the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), Comrade Jaliu Charanchi, said the members of the National Assembly are not in touch with the realities in the country. He said the legislators do not care what the people are passing through and what their needs are at this time.

Charanchi expressed surprise that lawmakers were talking about returning to the parliamentary system of government when what the citizens lack security and economic stability.

?The system of government doesn?t matter,? he stated. ?What should be uppermost is how our leaders are operating the system to bring about security and economic stability. These are the situations that are disturbing and giving Nigerian sleepless nights.

?It is unfortunate that these lawmakers are bringing up issues that are of no effect or matter to Nigerians. They are coming up with such issues to divert attentions from the harsh realities on the ground in this country.?

The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof Benjamin Okaba, also agreed with the CNG. He said that it is not the system or the change of system that is the problem, but the character of the people. The change of the system will amount to nothing if there is no change in the character of the people that will lead to national growth, he noted.

He said the lawmakers are only pursuing personal aggrandisement at the expense of the nation, urging them to work on how they can change their attitude and be committed to the nation.

?I don?t take these people very seriously; I don?t see anything good coming from them. All they are doing there is to drive their common capitalist interests they have nurtured to perpetuate themselves in power and to even defy the rule of law. I wouldn?t want to waste my time to comment on something coming out from this category of people,? Okaba said.

He emphasised that what Nigerians need now is a change of character in the leaders, and not a change of system of government.

?There is nothing wrong with our system. Even if the constitution is changed, without the change in the attitude of the people, it will not take us anywhere. If the constitution is driven by despotic, corrupt people, there is no change of government or system that will bring any good result to us.?

Nigeria needs honest leadership, restructuring, true federalism ? Lawyers

Dave Ajetomobi, former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja branch, noted that the parliamentary system could reduce the cost of governance.

According to Ajetomobi, in a parliamentary system, members of the executive branch would be drawn from the parliament, allowing them to receive salaries and allowances from a single source, unlike the current presidential system where both parliamentarians and ministers receive separate pay packages.

Ajetomobi argued that this structural change could reduce the financial burden on the country?s resources and lessen public outcry over issues like rotational leadership, as changing leadership would be simpler under a parliamentary system.

However, he expressed concerns that Nigerian politicians, given their track record with the presidential system, might abuse the new system.

?They will engage in all manner of shenanigans to keep feeding fat on the nation?s treasury,? Ajetomobi warned.

He also highlighted that a shift to a parliamentary system without true federalism could exacerbate Nigeria?s problems.

Ajetomobi suggested that a real decentralization of power, where regions control about 75 per cent of their resources could help steer the nation toward development.

He further proposed that immunity should be stripped from governors and the executive at the federal level to encourage accountability.

?I wish our leaders were sincere and honest,? Ajetomobi concluded.

In his reaction, rights activist and lawyer, Maduka Onwukeme, criticised calls for a return to parliamentary system, asserting that it is not the most pressing issue facing the country.

According to Onwukeme, Nigerians are currently grappling with severe economic challenges, including soaring inflation, skyrocketing unemployment rates, and an on-going foreign exchange crisis that has led to a flight of investors.

Speaking out on the matter, Onwukeme emphasised that the priority for Nigerians today is survival, not a change in the country?s political structure. ?Inflation is at an all-time high, and many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet. Those who can afford to leave the country are fleeing, while others continue to suffer,? he said.

Onwukeme argued that the focus should be on tackling the country?s economic woes, rather than engaging in what he described as ?a waste of time and scarce public resources? in discussions about the Westminster-style parliamentary system.

He added that if there is to be any structural reform, it should be a return to fiscal federalism, which he believes is more crucial for Nigeria?s growth and development.

Also speaking, rights activist and lawyer, Chijioke Ifenkwe, expressed strong opposition to the proposed adoption of a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria.

Speaking on the matter, Ifenkwe argued that the current political structure of the country does not support such a system.

According to Ifenkwe, Nigeria?s electoral process is heavily manipulated by politicians, and adopting a parliamentary system would only exacerbate the situation.

He believes that this system would strip the people of their power to elect the leadership of the country, leading to further abuse of power.

He further highlighted that under the current circumstances, a parliamentary system is not feasible. ?Unless the president desires it, the reality is that anything the president wants is currently achievable,? he added.

Ifenkwe pointed out that the National Assembly has shown a tendency to be more responsive to the presidency and the executive, making it unlikely that a parliamentary system would bring meaningful change.

Instead of a parliamentary system, Ifenkwe advocated for a regional government structure, suggesting it would be a more workable solution for Nigeria at this time. Makinde Oluwashina, a Lagos-based lawyer and rights activist, expressed caution regarding the proposal, emphasising the need for careful consideration of the country?s governance challenges before making any structural changes.

According to Oluwashina, Nigeria?s weak institutions, often hindered by corruption, present a major obstacle. A successful parliamentary system, he noted, relies on strong and transparent frameworks, yet Nigeria?s existing institutions remain beset by inefficiencies and corruption. He warned that without addressing these fundamental issues, the proposed shift could inadvertently open new avenues for political manipulation.

Another significant challenge identified by Oluwashina is the political fragmentation within Nigeria. He said parliamentary systems typically thrive in settings where political parties are cohesive, but noted that Nigeria?s political landscape is dominated by individual personalities, making coalition governments unstable.

This fragmentation, he argued, could undermine the effectiveness of governance under a parliamentary system.

He noted that the 1999 Constitution, which governs the current system, also poses a major hurdle and amending it to accommodate a parliamentary system would require extensive legislative support, which seems unlikely given that many politicians currently benefit from the existing system.

Oluwashina stated that the current direct presidential elections allow citizens to engage directly with the electoral process, fostering a sense of participation in governance. A shift to a parliamentary system, he suggested, could dilute this connection, potentially reducing public engagement in the political process.

Rather than a drastic overhaul, Oluwashina advocated more targeted reforms aimed at strengthening the existing system.

He suggested reforms to improve the independence of the electoral commission, including imposing stricter penalties for electoral misconduct. Additionally, empowering independent anti-corruption agencies and promoting judicial independence would help enhance accountability within the government.

Oluwashina also recommended increasing decentralization by granting more autonomy to states and local governments, thereby promoting more effective governance at the grassroots level.

In his own view, legal practitioner Evans Ufeli voiced strong support for Nigeria?s proposed shift back to a parliamentary system of governance, currently under discussion in the House of Representatives.

Ufeli argued that such a system would foster greater accountability, encourage coalition governments, and promote inclusivity in Nigeria?s diverse political landscape.

He believes It could lead to a more stable political environment, facilitate the passage of essential legislation, and reduce tensions between the executive and legislative branches.

Ufeli also contended that a parliamentary system would boost political engagement and better represent minority voices. While acknowledging the need for significant reforms and constitutional amendments, he highlighted that Nigeria already has some institutions to support the transition.

Drawing on examples from countries with successful parliamentary systems, Ufeli suggested that Nigeria can learn from their experiences to ensure a smooth shift.

He called for public engagement campaigns to educate Nigerians about the benefits of the proposal and urges stakeholders to work together toward creating a more accountable and unified government. (Saturday Sun)

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