Abuja, 27th March 2024 – By Andrew Haruna
The House of Representatives has set in motion what could become Nigeria’s most significant governance overhaul in 25 years, as a bill proposing a return to parliamentary democracy passed its second reading today. The controversial legislation, spearheaded by Minority Leader Kingsley Ogundu Chinda (PDP-Rivers) and supported by 59 cross-party lawmakers, seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s system of government.
Radical Restructuring Proposed
The constitutional amendment bill (HB.1115) outlines sweeping changes to Nigeria’s governance architecture:
- Dual Executive Structure
- A Prime Minister would serve as Head of Government, responsible for day-to-day administration
- A President would remain as ceremonial Head of State
- Both offices would be filled through parliamentary processes rather than direct elections
- Revamped Electoral System
- Abolition of separate executive elections
- Implementation of constituency-based parliamentary elections
- Introduction of proportional representation elements
- New Power Dynamics
- Executive authority derived from legislative majority
- Cabinet members drawn from sitting lawmakers
- Vote of no confidence mechanism
The Case for Change
Proponents argue the parliamentary model offers solutions to Nigeria’s chronic governance challenges:
- Cost Efficiency: Estimated savings of N500 billion per electoral cycle
- Stability: Fewer disputed elections and smoother transitions
- Accountability: Direct link between legislators and executive
- Inclusion: Better representation for minority groups
“After 25 years of presidential excesses, we need a system that promotes consensus over winner-takes-all politics,” Chinda argued during the heated debate.
Mounting Opposition
The proposal faces significant hurdles:
- Political Resistance
- Presidency and governors likely to oppose diminished powers
- Major parties wary of coalition governance
- Legal Complexities
- Requires altering 143 constitutional provisions
- Transition logistics could take 5-7 years
- Public Skepticism
- Only 38% of Nigerians support system change (NOIPolls 2024)
- Concerns about regional dominance persist
Constitutional Amendment Pathway
The bill now enters a critical phase:
- Committee Stage (60 days)
- Public hearings nationwide
- Stakeholder consultations
- Final Voting
- Requires 2/3 majority in both chambers
- State assembly ratification (24 states minimum)
- Implementation Timeline
- Earliest possible commencement: 2031
Political analysts suggest the proposal’s fate hinges on upcoming committee negotiations. “This is less about systems and more about redistributing power ahead of 2027,” noted Dr. Nkem Okeke of the Abuja Policy Forum.
The Bureau Newspaper will provide continuing coverage of this historic constitutional process.
– Investigative Team: Democracy & Governance Desk
– Contributing Analysts: Political Affairs Unit