Sixty lawmakers at the House of Representatives, have commenced moves to return Nigeria to a parliamentary system by 2031, by amending the 1999 Constitution.
The spokesperson for the group, Rep Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP-Sokoto, said this at a news conference at the National Assembly in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to him, the proposed amendment would significantly impact on the nation’s political landscape.
He further stated that the lawmakers were advocating a transition from the current presidential system to a parliamentary system at all levels, including federal, state, and local government councils.
“Our founders, in their wisdom and in a political atmosphere devoid of compulsion, considered the interests of their native peoples, and their desire to live together led them to adopt the parliamentary system of government.
“They considered a country where truth and justice reign, where no man is oppressed, and where all citizens live in peace and plenty, and adopted the parliamentary system of government,” he said.
The lawmaker said that the collapse of the First Republic and the long stretch of military rule culminated in the adoption of a new system of government, fashioned after the U.S Presidential System.
“Over the years, the imperfections of the presidential system of government have become glaring to all, in spite of several alterations to the constitution to address the shortcomings.
“The system 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,” he said.
He said that the system had it hindered the nation’s developmental progress as it vested excessive powers vested on the the executives, who were appointees and not directly accountable to the people.
Parliamentary is a system of government where the legislature is supreme and elects a prime minister from among its members as the head of government.
