By Disun Amosun
A group of Federal lawmakers across party affiliations and regional backgrounds Wednesday jointly presented Bills proposing constitutional alterations seeking a return to Parliamentary System of government at the Federal, State and Local Government levels.
The proposed alterations, according to the spokesman, Parliamentary Bill Sponsors, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, when passed, would significantly impact the national political landscape for the better.
Three of such constitutional alteration bills sponsored by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kindly Chinda and 59 others were read on the floor of the House for the first time yesterday.
Briefing newsmen after the bills’ first readings, Hon. Dasuki said the project envisaged to be a long-term one, is initially intended to ignite, provoke a national conversation about the future of the country’s governance system.
A member of the group, Hon. Olawale Raji during the briefing gave the timeline envisaged for the actual transition to Parliamentary Rule in Nigeria as 2031.
He adduced the need to ensure robust public debates, stakeholders’ consultations, expert analysis and a thorough and informed decision-making process.
Hon. Dasuki noted that over the years, the imperfections of the Presidential System of Government have become glaring and that despite several alterations to address the shortcoming of a system that has denied the nation the opportunity of attaining its full potential.
The fundamental changes outlined in the in the bills according to the Parliamentary Bill Sponsors include replacing the Office of the President with that of the Prime Minister to serve as Head of Government and establishing the office of the President as a ceremonial leader, while elective offices are to be chosen from elected members of the Legislature.
Similarly, the bills outline shifting the process of electing Governor’s and Chairmen of Local Government from general election to voting within their respective legislative bodies.
The transition also seemed to streamline Administration by potentially reducing costs, bureaucratic hurdles and fostering closer collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature.
Hon. Dasuki said proponents of the Alteration to the Constitution for a Parliamentary System of government placed national interest above all others with the hope of achieving a system of government that worked for Nigeria in the past before it was truncated by military rule during the first Republic.
