Sixty members of the House of Representatives introduced a bill on Wednesday seeking to amend the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, proposing a shift from the current presidential system to a parliamentary one.
Wale Raji, an influential lawmaker from Lagos State in the All Progressives Congress, prominently sponsored the bill, which received its first reading in the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers highlighted the imperative to reduce government expenditure and encourage vigorous policy debates as key motivations for advocating a return to the parliamentary system.
A pivotal distinction between the two systems lies in the method of leadership selection.
While a presidential system involves the direct election of the president by the people, a parliamentary system bestows supremacy upon the legislature, which elects a prime minister from its members to serve as the head of government.
Additionally, the parliamentary system lacks a strict separation of powers, as ministers are appointed by the parliament.
It’s worth noting that for the bill to become law and be enshrined in the Constitution, it must receive the president’s assent.
In the event of the president’s refusal, the National Assembly holds the authority to override the veto with a two-thirds majority vote.
This proposed constitutional amendment reflects a significant potential shift in Nigeria’s political framework and governance structure.