Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Imoleayo Oyedeyi
Published on 2024-03-10 04:15:54
In the midst of the loud national calls for the displacement of the 1999 constitution and the presidential system in favor of a return to the parliamentary system, the state of Nigeria is facing multiple challenges economically, socially, and politically. Various political observers and elder statesmen in the country have proposed different solutions to address these challenges and lift the country out of its current state of decline.
Some observers attribute Nigeria’s misfortunes to lack of political will among its leaders over the years. Others argue that the 1999 constitution and the distorted federalism it upholds are the root causes of the country’s problems. Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has strongly criticized the current constitution, labeling it as the greatest misadventure in Nigeria’s history.
Efforts to amend the constitution in the past have been largely unsuccessful, despite spending significant resources on the process. The National Assembly has made several attempts to amend the constitution, with limited success. The continued failure of these attempts has led to a growing call for a complete overhaul of the constitution and the adoption of a new federal constitution through a national constitutional conference.
Legal icon Afe Babalola and other advocates argue that the current constitution is deeply flawed and cannot be fixed through piecemeal amendments. They advocate for a new constitution that reflects the aspirations of the Nigerian people and a return to a parliamentary system of government akin to the 1963 Republican Constitution.
Elder statesmen under The Patriots have also called for the convening of a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution that is truly federal in nature. They view the current constitution as fraudulent and inadequate to address the country’s challenges effectively.
In a recent development, about 60 lawmakers in the House of Representatives have put forward a bill proposing a transition from the presidential system to the parliamentary system of government. They cite reasons such as reducing the cost of governance and promoting robust policy debates as motivations for the proposed transition.
Despite the growing calls for a change in the constitution and the political system, political experts warn that the success of any new system depends on the attitudes of those operating it. Understanding the historical failures of past parliamentary and republican systems in Nigeria is key to designing a new political system that addresses the country’s current challenges effectively and sustainably. As the debate over the future of Nigeria’s political system continues, it is clear that significant changes are needed to steer the country towards progress and development.
Read the original article on Nigerian Tribune
