The League of Northern Democrats (LND), chaired by former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has rejected the return of Nigeria to a parliamentary system of government, advocating instead for the continued use of the presidential system.
This position was detailed in a paper presented by Shekarau on Monday at the National Dialogue on a Home-Grown Parliamentary System in Abuja.
Shekarau highlighted how the presidential system, which requires leaders to seek a broad electoral mandate, fosters national unity by compelling candidates to appeal across ethnic and regional divides. In contrast, he said, the parliamentary model adopted at independence, with representatives accountable mainly to local constituencies, often entrenched narrow regional interests at the national level, as seen during the First Republic.
He added that the presidential system’s Federal Character principle ensures broad representation, creating a structural safeguard that promotes inclusivity.
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“This framework prevents any single group from dominating the political landscape and allows for a balance of interests, making the presidential model more resilient against special interest capture,” he said.
The LND chair argued that a return to the parliamentary system would risk fostering localism and factionalism, as members would likely focus on representing specific ethnic or regional interests over national priorities.
“The presidential system’s broader constituency encourages coalition-building, which dilutes the dominance of any one group. This inclusive approach has helped advance national integration, breaking down divisive barriers,” Shekarau said, underscoring his belief that the presidential system is essential for sustaining unity in Nigeria’s pluralistic society.
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