Elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Dantata has called for transition from a presidential system of government to a parliamentary system.
Dantata, who hosted some members of the House of Representatives spearheading the transition move, made the call on Thursday in Kano, saying the parliamentary system is better than the presidential system of government because it is cheaper.
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives has passed, for the first reading, the bill seeking to transform the presidential system of government into a parliamentary system.
Titled ”The Bills proposing constitutional alterations for a transition to a parliamentary system of government,” it was sponsored by sixty lawmakers and read for the first time during Wednesday’s plenary in Abuja.
The spokesperson of the 60-member group, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki (Sokoto, PDP), said the proposed alterations, when passed, would significantly impact the national political landscape.
Over the years, Dasuki said the Presidential System of Government has shown that it is imperfect, despite several alterations to the constitution to address the shortcomings of a system that has denied the nation the opportunity to attain its full potential.
He said among these imperfections are the high cost of governance, leaving fewer resources for crucial areas like infrastructure, education, and healthcare, and consequently hindering the nation’s development progress, and the excessive powers vested in the members of the executive, who are appointees and not directly accountable to the people.
He further noted that the bills presented seek a return to the system of government adopted by our founders, which made governance accountable, responsible, responsive, and ultimately less expensive.
Dasuki explained that with the presentation of these bills, the House hopes to ignite and provoke a national conversation about the future of the Nigerian governance system, to ensure robust public debates, stakeholder consultations, expert analyses, and a thorough and informed decision-making process, to raise awareness about the significant development and to encourage constructive dialogue on the potential implications of these proposed constitutional alterations.
“Today, we stand on the cusp of history, as lawmakers across party affiliations and regional backgrounds come together to present bills proposing Constitutional Alterations that seek a transition to Parliamentary System of Government.
“These bills, seeking to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, advocate a transition from the current presidential system to a parliamentary system at all levels – federal, state, and local government.”