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The Failure of the Presidential System in Nigeria: Factors, Solutions, and the Proposal for a Six-Year Term

2024-07-27 04:14:28.858000

Lawmakers in Abuja have proposed a constitutional change to return Nigeria to a parliamentary system of democracy, citing the high cost of the presidential system. Elder statesmen like Obong Victor Attah and Chief Emeka Anyaoku support a return to the parliamentary system and restructuring the country into six regions. The effectiveness of a system of government depends on the quality of leadership and human resources. Corruption, incompetence, and decadence have hindered Nigeria's progress. The regional governments of the First Republic performed well due to first-class, patriotic, and competent leaders. To reduce the cost of governance, lawmakers suggest cutting the number of ministers, agencies, and parastatals.

Dr Olatunji Olateju, a senior lecturer of Politics and Governance in the Department of Political Science at the Achievers University, Owo in Ondo State, speaks on the system of government, activities of the National Assembly, and other factors contributing to the failure of the presidential system in Nigeria. He emphasizes the need for good leadership and the ownership of political parties by the people. He criticizes the corruption among political elites and the dominance of robbers, touts, drug barons, yahoo guys, certificate forgers, and ritualists in Nigerian politics. He argues that the failure of the presidential system is due to the non-consideration of cultural values, poor leadership, and massive corruption. He believes that Nigeria has no business with poverty and that the market economy and liberal democracy should be modified to suit the country's cultural values. He questions the extent of control that international organizations like the IMF, World Bank, and World Trade Organization have over the economies of superpowers like the United States and the United Kingdom. He concludes that there is no bad or good system but bad and good leadership, and that the current agitation for a functional and purposeful country reflects the absence of the Nigerian state from the lives of its citizens. He emphasizes the importance of leadership and mass participation in the political processes for the survival of Nigeria.

Former presidential aide Okoi Obono-Obla urges the National Assembly to pass legislation to lower bureaucracy and government expenses. He disagrees with calls for a parliamentary system and instead advocates for laws promoting resource management, decrease in corruption, and a productive economy. Obono-Obla believes that the problem lies with individuals operating the system, not the system itself. He emphasizes that the cost of governance is driven by greed, covetousness, and selfishness. He suggests that the National Assembly can intervene to save the country from economic collapse by tightening cracks, making laws to safeguard resources, and promoting transparency and accountability. Obono-Obla also criticizes the government's assertion that Nigeria is a poor country and highlights the need for leaders to leverage the poverty advantage. He calls for the punishment of embezzlers and corrupt government officials and emphasizes the role of the legislature in making these laws. He cites the example of the United States Congress using legislative instruments to safeguard resources and promote accountability during recessions. Obono-Obla concludes by urging the National Assembly to make laws that cover the cesspit of sleaze in the disbursement of funds and safeguard the economy from dollarization.

The National Political Science Association (NPSA) plays a crucial role in stimulating national discourse for democratic governance in Nigeria. The NPSA's effectiveness in framing research questions and communicating research findings is key to its impact. Nigeria's fourth republic has seen evolutions in party politics, legislative transitions, and institutional reforms, but efficient service delivery mechanisms are still lacking. Public institutions are perceived to be failing in their duty to improve the welfare of Nigerians. The Nigerian public service operates under a bureaucratic model that focuses on regulatory control rather than performance and service delivery. Transforming the public service requires a paradigm shift towards strategic planning, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and performance management. The NPSA and other communities of practice have a role to play in engaging with the Nigerian state to address its failures and possibilities.

Elochukwu Amucheazi, a professor of Political Science, has stated that Nigeria has had years of unbroken civil rule, but not true democracy. He argues that democracy is not just about the presence of elections, but also about the quality of governance and the protection of citizens' rights. Amucheazi believes that Nigeria's political system is characterized by corruption, lack of accountability, and disregard for the rule of law. He suggests that true democracy can only be achieved through political reforms, including the restructuring of the country to ensure equitable distribution of resources and power. Amucheazi also emphasizes the need for active citizen participation in the political process to hold leaders accountable and demand good governance.

There is an urgent need to rescue Nigeria’s political and economic future. A single six-year term is now being touted as the cure-all magic wand that will solve Nigeria’s long-standing political and economic challenges. From the presidency to governorship positions, extending the tenure of public office holders is being packaged and sold as the elixir for all the ills that have bedevilled our polity since we gained political independence. Some senators and members of the House of Representatives have proposed a six-year term for the presidency and governorship posts. However, reducing the effectiveness of governance to the length of time an elected official stays in office is a formula begging for explanations. The four-year term with a second and final four-year term has not led to a dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of the nation. The problem lies with the individuals occupying the commanding heights of the political structure. Limiting the term of officeholders might be a solution to political inefficiency in some places, but it is not likely to be so in Nigeria. The term limit is already provided for in the constitution, and even if applied, five years is sufficient for an individual to make a noticeable impact while in office.

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