Ooni, ACF Back Reps Search for Alternatives to Presidential System

Oba Adeyeye: I’m in total support of call for homegrown system

Dalhatu: There is need to search for better alternatives

The effort of 60 members of the House of Representatives, led by the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, to alter the constitution for a transition from presidential system to parliamentary system of government received a boost with the support of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Arewa Consultative Forum, Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu, for the review of the current system and adoption of a system that works for the country.

The duo made their positions known at separate meetings of the representatives of the 60 lawmakers, pushing for a change in the system of government, with the Arewa Consultative Forum – a pan northern Nigeria socio-political organization – and Ooni of Ife,  a paramount traditional ruler. 

60 members of the House of Representatives had in February introduced three bills, seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to transition from the current presidential system to parliamentary system at all levels – federal, state and local government.

The bills, Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (Alteration) Bill, 2024, HB.1115, HB.1116 and HB.1117 sponsored by Hon. Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader and 59 others, had passed through First Reading.

At the meeting with ACF, which held earlier, Alhaji Dalhatu, in his remarks, noted the view that the presidential system was not only expensive but not working well. He said it was therefore time to seek alternative system of government.

“There is a strong opinion that the Presidential System of Government has run out of control and that it is too expensive and is not working very well. Therefore it is time for people and government to start looking at better alternatives,” the ACF BoT chairman said.

During the lawmakers’ session with Oba Ogunwusi in Abuja, the paramount Yoruba traditional ruler said this was the right time to talk about the system Nigeria practices, noting that the current system is inclined towards unitary system, and does not fit into Nigeria’s natural make up.

“We have been deceiving ourselves since 1966, all the way to 1999, when the same military rushed the constitution. The system we are using now was built on sand,” he said, adding, “We cannot continue to do the same thing. Our constitution happened by accident.”

Oba Ogunwusi canvassed for a system which would allow the six geopolitical zones grow at their own pace. He said this had been referred to as restructuring, devolution of power or true federalism.

“I am in total support of a homegrown system,” the traditional ruler said, adding, “I am a student of history and I love our nation so much. I breath the strength of our nation, which lies in our diversity. But unfortunately, we have not used it, we have not utilised it”,

Speaking further, he said every zone of the country was self-reliant in terms of availability of resources, yet needs one other. “So it is a natural alliance. We need ourselves. The North will forever need the South, the Central Belt will always need the country. So also the South. So why can’t we let everybody develop at their pace, and come to the centre?” he asked.

Oba Ogunwusi commended the lawmakers that came on the visit, noting that they represent a good mix of the six geopolitical zones. While lauding the efforts of the lawmakers to ensure that Nigeria works, Ooni said “what you are doing today is history tomorrow.”

The traditional ruler said that was the same way Nigerian pioneer leaders came together at a very young age to chart a course for the country.

“Now you are pioneering a new thing, I am happy from the throne of Oduduwa. What you are doing is good. You may not know. Your children will read about it in the future,” he said.

Ooni urged the 60 lawmakers to do more sensitisation to further engage the people in the discussion of Nigerian system, including talking to traditional rulers, elder statesmen and former presidents.

In his remarks, Hon. Chinda, who led the lawmakers to the ACF and the Ooni, said “You can only tell a blind man that there is no oil in the soup. You can’t tell a blind man that there is no salt or pepper in the soup. We are Nigerians and we have seen what is happening in our country today. I don’t think that any Nigerian, either from the left or from the right, will say that all is well.”

Chinda therefore said, “There is a need for a change of style that would make government officials more accountable, a change of style that would make government decision easier and execution carried out easily.

Briefing the press on the general principles of the multipartisan bills shortly after it passed first reading in February, the spokesperson of the sponsors, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency), had said, “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.”

Dasuki had further stated at the press briefing in February that: “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. 

“With the presentation of these bills today, we hope to achieve the following: Ignite, provoke a national conversation about the future of Nigerian governance system.”

The proposed alterations seek to replace the President with a Prime Minister to serve as the Head of Government, with the cabinet chosen from among members of the legislature. It also seeks to establish the office of the President as a ceremonial leader. The proposed alterations also seek to shift the process of electing governors and chairmen of Local Governments from general election to voting within their respective legislative bodies, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles and fostering closer collaboration between the executive and legislative branches

The ultimate aim of the alterations is to reduce the cost of governance, make governance more responsive and responsible, and transition Nigeria to a system of government that works for Nigeria.