Sixty members of the House of Representatives have sponsored bills proposing the alterations of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to transit from the current presidential system to Parliamentary system by 2031.
The three proposed bills were introduced on the floor of the House at the plenary on Wednesday and read by the Clerk of the House.
The bills are: Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1115); Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1116) and Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024 (HB.1117).
Briefing journalists after the plenary, the lawmakers said they came together across party affiliations and regional backgrounds to propose the bills.
The Spokesperson of the parliamentary bill sponsors, Abdussamad Dasuki, said the proposed alterations, when passed, would significantly impact the national political landscape.
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He said the collapse of the First Republic and the long stretch of military rule culminated in the adoption of a new system of government which was theoretically fashioned after the presidential system of the United States.
Dasuki however noted that in practice, the system imbibed attributes of military rule.
He said, “No wonder the Nigerian President appears to be one of the most powerful Presidents in the world.
“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 of attaining 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 executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people.
“Our founders in their wisdom and in a political atmosphere devoid of compulsion, and having considered the interests of their native peoples and their desire to live together in a country where truth and justice reign, where no man is oppressed, and where all citizens live in peace and plenty, adopted the parliamentary System of Government.
“That was the governance system of the First Republic, a period when legislative and executive powers were exercised by the representatives of the people in parliament and in the executive, and by the nature of the system these representatives were accountable to the people. For six years while it was in operation, the system worked for the country.
“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”.
The lawmakers noted that although the transition might not be immediate, they hoped that by 2031, the country would transit to the parliamentary system to address the challenges of cost of governance and other issues as well as guarantee a unity in diversity among Nigerians.
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