Reps want Nigeria returned to Parliamentary system

A group of 71 lawmakers of the House of Representatives, mostly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have canvassed for the return of Nigeria from the presidential to the parliamentary system of government.

Briefing newsmen at the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday, spokesmen of the group, Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) and Nicholas Ossai (PDP, Delta), said the parliamentary system, as opposed to the presidential system, suits Nigeria because it is more economic friendly, cost effective and largely efficient in the conduct of government business.

The bill, if passed, will also require the assent of President Muhammadu Buhari to become law, and be enshrined in the Constitution.

Recall that Nigeria practised the British-styled parliamentary system of government in the First Republic, from 1960 until 15 January, 1966 when the military took power.

However, the 1979 Constitution returned the country to the US-styled presidential system of government, largely because of the tensions and acrimonious politics of the First Republic.