Nigerian Lawmakers Move To Create Office Of Prime Minister

Representatives are working to reinstate Nigeria’s parliamentary system of governance. Legislation to establish the Office of the Prime Minister as the government’s head and the Office of President as the state’s head, and to outline a structure for electing individuals to both positions, has successfully completed its second reading in the House of Representatives.

This proposed bill was one of 32 constitutional amendment bills approved by the legislators during a plenary session chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu on Thursday, March 27.

The legislation, put forward by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda along with 59 other lawmakers, aims to modify the 1999 Constitution to adopt a parliamentary system that will transfer executive power from the President to a Prime Minister selected by the legislature.

The bill bears the title: “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to Provide for the Office of the Prime Minister as Head of Government and the Office of President as Head of State and to Provide for a Framework for the Mode of Election to the Said Offices and for Related Matters.”

It’s worth noting that Nigeria once functioned under a parliamentary system during the First Republic, with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa acting as Prime Minister and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe serving as the ceremonial President.

That system, in place from 1960 until the military coup of 1966, positioned executive authority with the Prime Minister, who was appointed from the majority party in parliament, while the President fulfilled the role of Head of State.

Additionally, among the bills passed by lawmakers on Thursday is a bill for an Act to amend the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to allocate specific seats for women in the National Assembly and state houses of assembly.

Another bill approved is one for an Act to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to shorten the time frame for resolving pre-election petition cases and establish pre-election tribunals to handle such matters, as well as regulate the procedure for suspending a National Assembly member from legislative responsibilities.

A bill for an Act to amend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to reassess the eligibility criteria for individuals seeking election as President and Vice-President, governors and deputy governors, also passed its second reading.

Furthermore, a bill for an Act to amend the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to reconsider the Federal Capital Territory’s status in relation to the election of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, along with bills proposing the establishment of Wan State and Gobir State, likewise passed their second reading.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli