“Parliamentary System Never Failed Nigerians” Ekweremadu Advocates For Effective Governance

NAN

The Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, has called for a modified presidential system of government for effective governance and enduring democracy in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Mr Uche Anichukwu, Special Adviser (Media) to the deputy senate president.

The statement quoted Ekweremadu as having made the call in a presentation, entitled, “Constitution Amendment in an Emerging Democracy: the Nigerian Experience”.

The occasion was at Johns Hopkins University, Washington D.C, U.S.

“The presidential system has often come under criticism for its concentration of powers in the political chief executives.

“It also comes with sectional competition for political offices, expensiveness, and promotion of the politics of strong men, rather than strong institutions, “he said.

Ekweremadu said that though the parliamentary system looked attractive, it, nevertheless, failed the country in the First Republic.

He said that the challenges of governance in Nigeria were not essentially the choice of governmental system, “but the warped implementation of these systems.

“Nigeria needed to inject some elements of parliamentary system to entrench greater accountability and cohesion in governance.

“I suggest a hybrid system or modification of the present presidential system to introduce Question Time in the parliament, to hold the ministers consistently accountable.

“We can replace impeachment with a procedure for vote of no confidence to make way for early elections when the need be.”

Ekweremadu listed the tenure of political chief executives, federal structure, fiscal federalism, local government system, policing system, and legislative lists as some of the key issues for constitution amendment in Nigeria.

He said the National Assembly would ensure the conclusion of the current constitution amendment project and further electoral reforms, early enough to facilitate a free, fair, and credible election in 2015.