The former Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi has called for reconsideration of Nigeria’s Bicameral Legislature to enhance good governance
Dr Fayemi said this while speaking at the Sixth Justice Aderemi Lecture Series (JAALS) in the ancient city of Ibadan recently in his lecture titled “Bicameralism, Democracy and Good Governance in Nigeria: Some Reflections,” an offshoot of the conference topic “Bicameralism and Good Governance: An Oxymoron?”
Drawing on historical context, Fayemi explained that bicameralism, comprising a Senate and a House of Representatives, provided a system of wider representation for pluralist societies.
He noted that approximately 45% of democracies worldwide practice bicameralism, including most federal entities like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
However, Fayemi argued that while bicameralism offers potential benefits such as preventing hasty legislation, promoting division of labour, and providing checks and balances, these were not amply manifested in the context of Nigeria.
He emphasized that the country’s legislative arm remains underdeveloped, partly due to its interruptions during military rule, which has affected its independence and effectiveness.
Fayemi was critical of the current perception of Nigeria’s National Assembly, often viewed by the public as a “rubber stamp” institution subservient to the executive branch.
He was concerned that the Senate had become a haven for retired politicians who make little or no contributions at all, wondering if the current structure of a bicameral legislature was deepening democracy or bettering governance.
In his conclusion, Fayemi called for a re-evaluation of Nigeria’s governance system, particularly the need for devolution of powers to the country’s federating units.
He argued that the core issue is not merely the type of legislature but the structure of Nigeria’s federalism, which had failed to serve the best interests of the nation.
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