The Nigerian House of Representatives has passed a bill for second reading that seeks to transition the country from its current presidential system of government to a parliamentary system. The bill, sponsored by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and co-signed by 59 other lawmakers, aims to introduce significant constitutional changes that would restructure Nigeria’s governance model.
Under the proposed parliamentary system, executive powers would be vested in a Prime Minister elected by members of the legislature, while the President would serve as a ceremonial Head of State. This marks a departure from the presidential system currently in place, where the President serves as both Head of State and Head of Government.
The sponsors of the bill argue that the parliamentary system is better suited to address Nigeria's governance challenges. According to them, it will foster greater accountability, reduce the cost of governance, and encourage more inclusive decision-making processes. They also believe that parliamentary debates will lead to more robust policymaking compared to the presidential system.
Kingsley Chinda emphasized during deliberations that Nigeria’s previous experience with the parliamentary system during the First Republic (1960-1966) demonstrated its potential for fostering collaboration and reducing political tensions. During that era, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa served as Prime Minister, while Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe held the largely ceremonial position of President.
The bill was part of 31 constitutional amendment proposals considered during Wednesday’s plenary session, which was presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu. Lawmakers engaged in lively debates about the merits and drawbacks of transitioning to a parliamentary system. While some legislators expressed support for the proposal, citing its cost-effectiveness and potential to strengthen democratic institutions, others raised concerns about its feasibility and implementation in Nigeria’s current political landscape.
The passage of the bill for second reading signals growing interest among lawmakers in exploring alternative governance models to address Nigeria’s sociopolitical and economic challenges.
The bill will now proceed to committee-level deliberations, where it will undergo further scrutiny and possible amendments before being presented for third reading and final approval. If passed into law, it would require a constitutional amendment—a process that involves approval by two-thirds of both chambers of the National Assembly and ratification by at least 24 state assemblies.
As Nigerians await further developments on this landmark proposal, the debate over governance systems underscores broader questions about how best to structure leadership in a diverse and complex nation like Nigeria.