It is commonly held that people do not realize the
value of what they have until they loose it. That
explains the hue and cry about the need for Nigeria to return to the long abandoned parliamentary system of government, coming on the heels of the attempt to amend the nation’s Constitution.
It is instructive to note that we did not abandon the parliamentary system because it was too good. Rather, it was the other way round. After all, no one sells a chicken because it breeds too much.
The strongest case in favour of the Presidential System is the Checks and Balances as well as the doctrine of Separation of Powers inherent in it. In simple fact, in the parliamentary system, where everything is lumped together under the Prime Minister, the system cannot provide an effective check on itself. Again, the doctrine of Separation of Powers holds that over-concentration of powers in the hands of a single individual or group is simply an invitation to catastrophe.
There is the argument that we made some terrible policies under the presidential system. This is true, but it was more a function of the quality of the people, than of the institution. Every beginning is difficult and the presidential system is no exception. With time and with a semblance of stability, the system would begin to attract the quality of people capable of justifying the cost of running it.
In large measure, it is this cost of running the presidential system that has encouraged the prevailing preference for the parliamentary system. This is where we are readily reminded that anyone who thinks that education is expensive must be prepared to try illiteracy.
That the presidential system we opted for in 1979 was inherently expensive should have been obvious at that time. Anybody who is familiar with the fervour with which Nigerian office holders seek the perquisites of office should have anticipated the devastating economic consequences of a legislature the size of our National Assembly. Take this argument down the line to the State and even the Local Government Assemblies.
Recognition of this has prompted us to persistently call for a part-time citizen legislature that would assemble for a few weeks in the year to approve the budget and pass bills. What really are those legislators doing with their heavy baggage of sycophantic political staff? Is that also presidential? Of course, not! The problem with the high cost of the presidential system did not arise from the system as a mode of government but from the type of structure we decided to put on ground.
Again, where is it to be found that in a presidential system, a Minister or anybody in the system must have an avalanche of special advisers, personal and private assistants of every description, with all the paraphernalia of office? And who even says we must have a Minister from every State? If our appointments must reflect the geographical spread, why don’t we contend ourselves with the geopolitical zones of the country? Is it the presidential system that says we should not get our elections right?
The other cost-related criticism of the presidential system is the now clinched chant of corruption. This is where the criticism runs foul of the total environment. Among the critics are tax collectors on Grade Level 04 who own property that run into billions of Naira; opinion leaders who would not encourage people to vote unless the office seeker has sufficiently purchased their conscience; and community leaders who have scorned politicians who could not donate N20 million to a community project. A society that encourages corruption is a sure prescription for widespread graft.
This is not an apology for the wanton corruption of the past but it is an attempt to put corruption in its proper context. It also makes clear the fact that under any system, most Nigerians would test positive for corruption, any day. So far, no one has faulted the advice of Alexander Pope (1688-1744), “For forms of government, let fools contest; that which is best administered is best”. Rather than running from pillar to post, let’s keep the credible presidential system we already have.
Hon. Josef Omorotionmwan – Chairman, Blyz Travels & Tours Limited and Chairman, Board of Directors, Bendel Newspapers Company Limited. |
