Numerous stakeholders have expressed united opinion on the necessity for Nigeria to undertake an alternate system of democratic governance to the present presidential, which, in line with them, has failed the nation.
The Parliamentary System Help Group (PSSG), a physique manufactured from 83 members of the tenth Home of Representatives, held its Nationwide Dialogue on a House Grown Parliamentary System of Authorities Monday in Abuja, throughout which the stakeholders agreed that the present system and its attending impact of lack of accountability and excessive price of governance.
The group, by its spokesman, Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, nonetheless justified its drive for a shift to a Nigerian-styled system of presidency.
“Clearly, we want an alternate. However what ought to substitute this presidential mannequin—a mere imitation of the American system—should be a home-grown answer. This reply will not be for any particular person or group to dictate; it should emerge from a real dialogue amongst Nigerians, particularly between the younger and the previous, the brand new technology and people earlier than them.
“Every of us is affected otherwise by the dysfunction in our presidential system, and this shared expertise invitations us all to be a part of this aspiration for a brand new governance mannequin”, he stated.
…Ango Abdullahi backs transfer
Chairman of the occasion and elder statesman, Professor Abdulahi Ango, recalled that the parliamentary system of presidency, as bequeathed to Nigeria by the British colonists, was working “till some individuals who have been in a rush (coupists) felt that it was not working, and overthrew it.”
He argued that if the choice later adopted had failed, solutions ought to be offered to the query on why we failed.
“Democracy could be very elastic in that means, so we are able to have our personal home-grown democracy. Adopting the American presidential system was our first mistake”, he stated, including that it’s a system that doesn’t match into our cultural system and different values.
He harassed that if the parliamentary system didn’t work in simply after 4 years earlier than it was overthrown within the first republic, Nigeria is worse immediately after over 24 years of operating the presidential system.
Additionally, former Nationwide Secretary of the defunct Motion Congress (AC), Dr. Usman Bugaje, saluted the braveness of the group of lawmakers to deliver the problem to the fore, advising nonetheless that the main target ought to be broadened.
“The final 25 years haven’t given Nigerians what they expected-poverty is deepening, insecurity is escalating, there’s mind-boggling corruption”, he stated, including that the concept of a home-grown system was so as, and that anybody who retains borrowing overseas system will find yourself being enslaved.
He inspired the parliament to stay to its weapons as it’s constitutionally empowered. “Parliaments immediately are largely rubber stamps”, he stated.
…Our focus – Group
Presenting the welcome remarks on behalf of the Parliamentary System Help Group earlier, Hon. Dasuki recalled that reflecting on the over 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, “it’s inconceivable to not recognise that this era has been an experiment—one which has examined our persistence, optimism, and enduring hope for a greater nation.
“Sure, we have now nurtured and embraced this democracy, however allow us to be candid: this isn’t the democracy we want, nor the one our founding fathers envisaged. A more in-depth have a look at our system reveals fractures that may not be ignored, desires left unfulfilled, and gaps that beg to be stuffed. Now could be the time to deal with these points. Now could be the time to rethink an escape route from this actuality. Now could be the time to set our minds on crafting a brand new path—a remedy for the affliction that has reworked our democracy right into a spectacle of pity.
“For years, we have now argued and debated remedy this affliction, however we should at all times remind ourselves that the core drawback lies within the automobile by which we expertise this democracy: the present presidential system. Every election yr, we make investments our hopes and desires right into a system anticipated to uplift our folks, solely to seek out ourselves repeating the identical want after each cycle of 4 difficult years. As an alternative of a authorities that works for the folks, we see one that serves public officers—a authorities that grows fats on bloated overheads, delivering scant dividends to its residents.”
In the course of the panel discussions, former Speaker Home of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Minister of Inside, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and Minority Chief of the Home of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, who can be a number one member of the PSSG, all agreed to the necessity to search an alternative choice to the present presidential democracy in Nigeria.
Dogara, who cautioned that it’s at all times tough to have a rational discourse in Nigeria immediately with out sentiments or biases, stated there was want for leaders to play by the principles.
“There was a critical lack of accountability. Any system that makes the folks concern these in energy is relatively imperial,” he acknowledged.