Eric Patrick
A proposed bill aimed at establishing a parliamentary system of government in Nigeria has successfully passed its second reading in the House of Representatives.
The bill to amend the country’s constitution is put forward by the minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, along with the support of 59 other lawmakers.
The legislation being considered aims to establish the position of prime minister as the leader of the government, while designating the role of president as the head of state.
From 1960 to 1963, Nigeria operated under a parliamentary system of government during its inaugural republic.
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In a presidential system, citizens elect the president directly during elections. On the other hand, in a parliamentary system, the legislature selects the prime minister, leading to a more intertwined relationship between the branches of government and a blurred separation of powers.
Proponents of the parliamentary system argue that it would reduce cost of governance unlike the presidential system which vests excessive powers in the members of the executive — who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people.