Abbas: Home-Grown Parliamentary System Musts Reflect Diversity of Nigeria

*Abdulahi, Dogara, Aregbesola, Shekarau, Bugaje, others speak

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, has said that a home-grown Parliamentary System being canvassed must not only reflect the procedural aspects of governance but also the intrinsic values, goals, and cultural nuances of the people it serves.

The Speaker disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at a National Dialogue on Home-Grown Parliamentary System of government organised by Parliamentary System Support Group (PSSG).

He, however, cautioned the lawmakers to avoid unintended consequences in their clamour for change from presidential to parliamentary system.
Abbas, who was represented by Hon. Alhassan Doguwa was of the opinion that a home-grown Parliamentary System should also be a leadership model grounded in substance, not merely in style, stressing that this, he believed, is the essence of indigenous governance; as it is about crafting a legislative system that resonates with the everyday realities, aspirations, and diversity of the Nigerian people.

Abbas stated: “As we examine potential reforms, I am aware that a unicameral system of government is often discussed. However, we must recognise that Nigeria’s vast geographical and cultural diversity poses unique demands.

“Unlike smaller or more homogeneous nations, our bicameral system has enabled us to balance representation across regions and ethnic groups, enhancing inclusivity and participation in the democratic process.

“Any significant structural change must, therefore, be carefully considered within the context of Nigeria’s complexities to avoid unintended consequences.

“Some have also suggested adopting part-time legislators. However, I must respectfully challenge this notion, as it may underestimate the profound responsibility that legislators bear. A legislator’s duties, comprising of law-making, representation, and oversight are demanding and require substantial time and commitment. Government is not a casual endeavour; it is a serious business that demands full attention, accountability, and dedication.”

Abbas pointed out that their focus should instead be on embedding legislative values into a home-grown model.

He explained that to enhance resilience and professionalism, the National Assembly has prioritised continuous training and capacity building.

Setting the tone for the discussion earlier in his welcome address, the spokesman of the 83 lawmakers canvasing transition to home-grown parliamentary system , Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki, said as they gathered to reflect on over 25 years of democracy in Nigeria, it was impossible not to recognise that the period had been an experiment – one that has tested patience, optimism, and enduring hope for a better nation.

“Yes, we have nurtured and embraced this democracy, but let us be candid: this is not the democracy we desire, nor the one our founding fathers envisaged,” he said.

The lawmaker noted that a closer look at the country’s presidential system revealed fractures that could no longer be ignored, dreams left unfulfilled, and gaps that begged to be filled.
Elder statesman, Prof. Ango Abdulahi, said parliamentary system of government as bequeathed to Nigeria by the British was working “until some people who were in a hurry felt that it was not working, and overthrew it.”
He was of the opinion that if the alternative later adopted has failed, answers should be provided to the question of why it has failed.
“Democracy is very elastic in meaning, so we can have our own home-grown democracy. Adopting the American presidential system was our first mistake. It is a system that does not fit into our cultural system and other values.
In his submission, a former National Secretary of the defunct Action Congress (AC), Dr. Usman Bugaje, noted that the last 25 years has not given Nigerians what they expected.
His words: “Poverty is deepening, insecurity is escalating, there’s mind-boggling corruption. The idea of a home-grown system was in order, and that anyone who keeps borrowing foreign system will end up being enslaved.”
During the panel discussions, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, were all in agreement on the need to seek an alternative to the current presidential democracy in Nigeria.
Chairman of the League of Northern Democrats, and former governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau said, “This system (referring to the presidential system) is uniquely suited to address the profound ethnic and religious diversity of our nation.
”Since the amalgamation in 1914, Nigeria has struggled with tensions between its varied ethnic groups, religious beliefs and regional identities. These divisions often manifest in political rivalries that threaten national unity.
“By requiring leaders to seek votes from a broad electorate, the presidential system compels them to prioritise the interests of the entire nation over narrow regional or ethnic concerns, thus fostering a shared sense of Nigerian identity and purpose.”