In a recent interview on Channels Television’s socio-political programme, “Inside Sources with Laolu Akande,” Abdusamad Dasuki, a member of the House of Representatives representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, voiced strong opinions about Nigeria’s governance system. Dasuki emphasized that Nigeria’s current presidential democracy is ineffective and advocated for a return to the parliamentary system operational during the First Republic.
Dasuki expressed his concerns, stating, “Things are not working in Nigeria, we can’t deny that fact. This (the move for a parliamentary system) is not something that started with this Assembly, some of us that were in the 8th Assembly believed that there was something fundamentally wrong with the system.” He added that the current system lacks accountability and fails to deliver true representative democracy.
The discussion gained momentum in mid-February when 60 lawmakers in the House of Representatives proposed constitutional amendments to shift from the presidential to the parliamentary system, citing the need to reduce government costs amid revenue challenges.
Dasuki, a supporter of this transition, highlighted the benefits of a homegrown parliamentary system, emphasizing accountability and efficiency. He proposed a scenario where prominent figures like Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi would play key roles in a parliamentary setup.
Moreover, Dasuki and his colleagues envision starting the parliamentary system at the local government level in 2027, aiming to integrate it with general elections for better governance and representation.
As discussions progress, proponents of parliamentary democracy are seeking advice and support from experienced leaders like Ango Abdullahi, Edwin Clark, Segun Osoba, and Bisi Akande, signaling a potential shift in Nigeria’s political landscape.
