League of National Democrats (LND) has warned that a return to the parliamentary system of government would exacerbate Nigeria’s ethnic divisions and threaten national unity.
Chairman of the group and former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau gave the admonition in a position paper delivered at the National Dialogue on a Home-Grown Parliamentary System of Government, in Abuja on Monday.
The remarks, presented before a gathering of lawmakers and political stakeholders, were a staunch defense of Nigeria’s current presidential system, which he argued is better suited to managing the country’s deep ethnic, religious, and regional diversity.
Shekarau noted that Nigeria has faced significant challenges in fostering national integration since its amalgamation in 1914, observing that the country’s complex ethnic and religious landscape has led to tensions, often manifesting in political rivalries.
He warned that the parliamentary system, which was initially adopted at independence, failed to address these divisions effectively, contributing instead to greater factionalism.
“The British Parliamentary system we adopted at independence encouraged localism, where members of parliament were directly accountable to their constituencies. As a result, political leaders were more concerned with the interests of their specific ethnic or regional groups, often at the expense of national cohesion,” Shekarau said.
He pointed to the First Republic as a case study, where the system’s inability to foster unity contributed to the political instability that ultimately led to the country’s first military coup.
In contrast to the parliamentary model, Shekarau praised Nigeria’s presidential system, which, he argued, has been more effective in unifying the country.
He emphasised that the presidential system compels candidates for the presidency to appeal to the entire electorate, rather than focusing on the concerns of narrow regional or ethnic constituencies.
This, he argued, encourages national dialogue and cooperation, as presidential candidates must address a broad spectrum of interests across the country.
“The President and Vice President must win a nationwide election. To do this, they must appeal to all ethnic groups and regional interests. As a result, the presidential system reduces the influence of local or sectional politics and promotes the pursuit of national interests,” Shekarau explained.
By requiring leaders to secure votes from across the country, the system fosters a shared Nigerian identity, Shekarau argued.
He noted that the presidential system, as established by the 1979 and 1999 constitutions, has allowed Nigeria to manage its diversity more effectively, encouraging the formation of coalitions that represent various ethnic, religious, and regional groups.
The LND chairman cautioned that the parliamentary system, with its emphasis on regional constituencies, could reinforce ethnic divisions in Nigeria.
He contended that this system is ill-suited to Nigeria’s pluralistic society, as it can encourage localism and promote ethnic loyalty over national unity.
He noted that in a parliamentary system, legislators are primarily accountable to their constituencies, which are often based on ethnic or regional lines, adding that this creates a situation where local politics can dominate national discussions, perpetuating sectionalism.
“In a country like Nigeria, with its complex ethnic and regional identities, a parliamentary system encourages local political actors to prioritize the interests of their ethnic groups over the common good. This was evident during the First Republic, where regional interests often overshadowed national concerns,” Shekarau warned.
He further argued that a parliamentary system could weaken the ability of the federal government to act decisively in the national interest.
In Nigeria’s context, where ethnic and regional loyalties run deep, such a system could fragment the political landscape, leading to a governance structure more focused on appeasing sectional interests than on promoting national cohesion.
One of the key strengths of Nigeria’s presidential system, according to Shekarau, is the principle of “Federal Character,” which ensures fair representation of all ethnic and regional groups in the governance structure.
This system, enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution, guarantees that no single ethnic or regional group can dominate the political process, fostering inclusivity and encouraging the formation of multi-ethnic coalitions.
Shekarau also emphasised the presidential system’s role in promoting political stability by tempering the influence of any one group.
He noted that this framework helps break down divisional barriers, allowing for greater national integration.
“By creating a system that reflects our country’s diversity, the presidential system builds a resilient democracy, where no ethnic or regional group has the power to dominate the national discourse,” Shekarau stated.
While Shekarau voiced strong support for the presidential system, he acknowledged that the current system has its flaws, particularly in terms of governance inefficiency and excessive costs.
To address these issues, he proposed several key reforms aimed at streamlining the system while preserving its national unifying function.
These include streamlining the legislature, limiting the number of ministries, agencies, and devolving power.
He argued that the current two-chamber structure is redundant and a drain on resources, recommending a single legislative body to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
To curb excessive government spending, Shekarau proposed limiting the number of federal ministries to three per geopolitical zone, ensuring that ministerial portfolios remain focused and impactful, reducing departments and agencies, power devolution, and curbing excesses in governance.
Shekarau pointed out that many federal agencies are redundant and recommended streamlining or merging them to reduce waste and improve the effectiveness of government programmes.
He advocated for greater devolution of power to state and local governments, arguing that this would reduce the burden on the federal government while allowing for more responsive governance at the local level.
The LND chief called for measures to reduce corruption and inefficiencies within the presidential system.
He recommended strengthening the autonomy of political parties, the judiciary, and agencies like INEC, as well as addressing issues such as budget padding and political patronage.
The former Kano Governor reiterated his belief that the presidential system offers Nigeria the best chance to achieve unity amid its diversity.
While acknowledging the need for reforms, he stressed that the country’s current system is more conducive to fostering national cohesion than a return to the parliamentary model.
“While the presidential system is not without its flaws, it is a system that encourages national unity over ethnic and regional division. In this critical moment, we must continue to embrace a system that turns our differences into strength, forging a path toward a more united and prosperous Nigeria,” Shekarau said.
In his view, the presidential system, with thoughtful reforms, will better serve Nigeria’s multicultural polity, allowing for a more inclusive, efficient, and responsive government that reflects the nation’s diversity while maintaining its unity.
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