Committee Tilting Towards Modified Presidential System On the second day of debates on whether the presidential or parliamentary system of government is more appropriate for the Nigerian political terrain, delegates at the Committee on Political Restructuring and Forms of Government are tilting towards the adoption of a “modified presidential system”. Opening the curtain on the debates on Tuesday, Chief Benjamin Elue slams the critics of the presidential system, saying that there is no justification to say that the presidential system breeds corruption. He argues that the presidential system being practised in Nigeria needs “to be touched.” Chief Elue says that he supports a presidential system that is less expensive and with no dictatorial tendencies. He points out areas that make the presidential system costly like the allowances of ministers, aides and other appointees of the president. He calls for the practice of true federalism which will enable the federal government to devolve power to the federating units which will make the centre less attractive. He concludes by saying that, “I believe and support that we should have a modified system of presidential system of government that suits us. We should retain the presidential system of government that is not cumbersome.” Chief Elue clarifies that the modified presidential system of government will mean reducing the cost of government. Former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, says that in an attempt to practise the presidential system of government, Nigeria has run into many challenges. He suggests that Nigerians should look beyond the borders to see different countries that have the same challenges like Nigeria and have been able to surmount those challenges. He cited India that is as diverse as Nigeria and yet an attempted coup has never taken place. “They have maintained some level of decorum,” Dr. Odili says. He attributes the political stability in India to the system of government the country has accepted to practise which has been accepted by all in the country. While advocating a system that all Nigerians will buy into, Dr. Odili points out that all shades of opinion must be brought on board. He said, “When you vote out the passionate desire of your partner, you have not solved the problem. In human transactions, that’s not the way forward.” The former governor declares that the presidential system, as we have it now, is not our best option. “Those that introduce the presidential system have the best interest at heart, but the practice has caused us problem. Some challenges inherent in the presidential is that it is expensive. It breeds dictatorship. We must look at a system that reduces the cost of governance and improve service delivery.” He calls for a “modified presidency or semi- presidential system” like the French system. He informs delegates that some nations have done it before; the splitting of the powers of the president with that of the prime minister. In terms of checks and balances, the parliamentary system of government is more effective.” He concludes by recommending “a modified presidential system that embodies the parliamentary system which will help us reduce waste, guarantee stability of government.” “Let’s look at the system that is being applied by the government of France and India and see how we can form something that can help Nigerians,” Dr. Odili submits. Amb L. O. C. Agubuzu Igwe aligns himself with the position taken by Dr. Odili on modified presidential system of government. He however proposes the following components to be included in the modified system: Single tenure for the presidency; Unicameral legislature; Fixed salary for political office holders. He concludes by alleging that Nigeria’s presidential system at the moment is the most expensive throughout the world. “Our political officer holders earned more than their counterparts around the world,” Igwe Abubuzu observes. Gen. Jonathan N. Temlong (rtd) declares that the presidential system has given a sense of hope to the minority ethnic groups in the country. He said that the presidential system has challenges because the operators are operating it the way they want. He observes that changing the system Nigeria is operating now will be tedious with its attendant cost. He advocates for a change in attitude. “We have to change our attitude and put country first before self. We can cut cost in the system. Once we devolve power from the federal to the state, we will cut down lots of cost.” Amb. Fidelis N. Tapgun says that this debate on the system of government to adopt is what everyone should look into dispassionately. While aligning himself with the proposal of Dr. Odili, he calls for a system whereby ministers come from the parliament. “I support the advocate for semi-parliamentary system. We must have semi-presidential system,” he submits. Basorun Seinde Arogbofa says that he will like the situation where Nigeria can practise the merits of the different systems which other nations can learn from. According to him, “A system change will not change things. Our people need an attitudinal change. I will prefer a situation whereby we don’t have a strictly presidential system or parliamentary system. I prefer an indigenous system that combines presidential and parliamentary system.” Prof. Isa Baba Mohammed in his contribution says that, “Nigeria should stop experimenting with different systems of government. What we should do is to do serious adjustment in terms of looking at the present system and see how we can improve it. We should eliminate waste in government.” He calls for the merging of ministries that have overlapping functions so as to cut cost. Senator Sa’idu Umar Kumo says that he supports the present presidential system that Nigeria is presently operating. In his own comment, former governor of Niger State, Engineer Abdulkadir Kure says that Nigeria can’t afford to change government regularly. He therefore calls for a system that will enable the president to come from one section of the country while the prime minister will be from another section. Senator Sa’idu Mohammed Dansadau calls for an attitudinal change. He lists some negative tendencies that are militating against the growth of the country to be the penchant to subverts the rule of law; greediness for power and power; much inclination to regionalism, and ethnicity. He proposes a modified presidential system with the following features: President and a Vice President; two non-consecutive tenure of four years; appointment of ministers from the parliament; full time unicameral legislature; confirmation of ministers and other important appointment to be made by a special committee to be established by the constitution. Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange says there is no problem with the present presidential system. He calls for the practise of true fiscal federalism. “The state must be made to work and generate fund and pay royalty to the centre.” The last member to debate on the issue was Chief Gary Enwo-Igariwey who states that the concern of Nigerians should be how to create a system that can serve us best. “The role of the president must not be ambiguous. We should take the good sides in the presidential system and modify. The role must be clearly defined to know who is in charge.” Closing the debate, the co-chairman, Hon. Mohammed Umara Kumalia announced that the consensus among members is the adoption of a modified presidential system of government. He thereafter announces a sub-committee that will collate and come out with the desirable components of the proposed modified presidential system of government. The committee is chaired by AVM Moukhtar Mohammed. Members are Pastor Tunde Bakare, Dr. Peter Odili, Senator Femi Okurounmu, Senator Sa’idu Mohammed Dansadau, Prof. Anya O. Anya, Chief Benjamin Elue, Dr. Phillips O. Salawu, Mallam Adamu Maina Waziri, and Basorun Seinde Arogbofa. The sub-committee will present its report to the committee on Wednesday morning.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Apr 2014 23:10:24 +0000
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