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Switch to Parliamentary system : We cannot change our system of governance the way we switch from foreign football coach to local -Senator Osunbor tells advocates

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…so far so good presidential system has fared better in 29years

…wonders why Senate President, Speaker, media refer to NASS as parliament

Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Oserheimen Osunbor has said the switch from presidential to Parliamentary system of governance being advanced by some Nigerians fails the test of logic and scientific analysis.

The two term senator also wondered why the Nigerian media, Senate President, Speaker refer to National Assembly as Parliament.

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Osunbor, a Professor of Law made this disclosure in a chat with journalists in Abuja on Friday.

He said: “It seems to me that most of those advocating the adoption of the parliamentary system are not aware or have forgotten that Nigeria started off in 1960 with a parliamentary system .

“The weakness of that system contributed largely to the collapse of the First Republic,after only five years, in January 1966. By contrast, the presidential system has been practiced for about 29 years now. On this score alone the presidential system has obviously fared better and proved superior to the parliamentary system.

” For them to be persuasive, those calling for the return to the failed parliamentary system should show that they understand the flaws that led to the collapse of the system in the First Republic and convince Nigerians that those weaknesses will not recur.

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“Unfortunately, the advocates are not engaging in such logical scrutiny but are simply being sentimental and unscientific in voicing their preference for the parliamentary system.

” The reasons commonly advanced in support of the parliamentary system are firstly , that it is cheaper to operate. Secondly, that the presidential system breeds pseudo-dictatorship as it confers too much powers on the President and Governors.

Osunbor further explained that it is the Nigerian people that make the presidential system expensive and turn executive office holders into pseudo-dictators. Even if we were to return to the parliamentary system the same elected office holders will continue to approve for themselves outrageous emoluments and bogus allowances.

“A Prime Minister and Ministers can still become autocratic if the society accepts or encourages it.

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” Example of this can be drawn from some countries that operate the parliamentary system. First Republic Minister of Finance, Festus Okotie- Eboh, was reputed to be very flamboyant, if not extravagant and that was under the parliamentary system.

“Operation Wetie” in Western region and events leading to the Nigerian civil war happened under the parliamentary system.

” Or have we forgotten parliamentarians, some of them illiterate, that rode in the longest American Pontiac that guzzled petrol at 8 miles per gallon.

” I personally have strong reservation against continuous experimentation with our system of governance with attendant political Instability without sound well thought – out reasons. We should not reduce governance to our style of football administration that oscillates like a pendulum from local coach to foreign coach and back to local coach without any improvement on our performance.

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“As the immediate past foreign coach G.Rohr, and others before him, have revealed, the main problem with our football performance is lack of commitment, dedication and indiscipline. It has nothing to do with the colour of the skin of the coach. It is about our attitude as Nigerians.

” On a related matter, I cannot understand why many Nigerians, including the media, now refer to our National Assembly as parliament. Even the Senate President and Senators refer to the Senate as parliament. Same with the speaker and members of the House of Representatives.

Whereas the constitution empowers them to enact an Act of the NASS, many of them assert that they’ve passed an Act of Parliament.

The 1963 Constitution , in chapter 5 , vested legislative powers in parliament created in Section 41 thereof but that constitution is now defunct. In its place we now have the 1999 Constitution which, in section 4 , vested legislative powers in a National Assembly consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, not Parliament.

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“There is no reference to “Parliament ” in our current Constitution. I cannot understand why people choose to use a name outside our constitution. The U.S. has a congress, Britain has a parliament and Nigeria has a National Assembly. Is
this too difficult to understand?

Rather than call themselves “this parliament” Senators can say “this Senate” or “this Chamber”. Members of the HoR can say “this House” or “this Chamber”.

” Referring to the National Assembly or each of its two Houses as “Parliament” creates an erroneous impression that we run a parliamentary system.

This can be confusing to many especially foreigners who are not familiar with our constitution. I have had occasion in the past to explain the correct position to a foreign expert who had been under the wrong impression that we operate a hybrid system of the French model due to the indiscriminate use of the term “Parliament” by Nigerians.

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” Without changing our attitude to governance we will be perpetually going round in circles by continuously changing from one constitution to another or from one system of governance to another.

Politics

2027 Polls: APC Has A Lot To Tell Nigeians As Achievements – Akpabio (Photos)

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President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has revealed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has more than enough to tell Nigerians as its achievements in office in the last three years, as the party prepares to kick-start its nationwide electioneering.

Akpabio stated this while receiving in courtesy, members of the Senate Committee on Tertiarty Institutions, TETfund and NELfund led by its chairman, Senator Dandutse Mohammed, in his Uyo residence on Monday.

A statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio, saying,” the current President has done a lot for Nigerians. He met an economy in shambles. When he came in, 27 states could not pay salaries and pensions but today, the story has changed because of his reengineering and thinking out of the box. In 2027 Nigerians will separate the shafts from the grains and re-elect President Tinubu for a second term in office.

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” We have a President who thinks outside the box, bringing about innovation. We will have something to tell Nigerians about the unprecedented achievements of Mr President at the campaign grounds. Someone who is challenging him cannot even tell us what he did when he was governor. I can tell you what I did when I was the governor of my state. We will tell them a lot. Those in the opposition know too well, the achievements of this government in the area of the economy, agriculture, security, education and fiscal policy, but because they are in the opposition, they won’t say it”, he noted.

According to Akpabio, ” the 10th Senate under my leadership, has made giant strides and we are very proud of it. We will continue to collaborate with the Executive arm of government to achieve more for Nigerians. Even in this period of our annual vacation, you are here in Uyo doing your job. We don’t need to listen to the social media becaue it is gabage in, gabage out.”

Akpabio assured some of his colleagues who will not be returning to the 11th Senate that their loyalty to the party and Mr President will not go unappreciated, and charged them to continue to give in their best to the progress of the party and the success of the administration.

Earlier in his speech, Senator Mohammed said, “we are here today for a very important constitutional responsibility and to pay homage to our leader. The Senate President of the Republic of Nigeria. Under your leadership, we have enacted the law that is benefiting the Nigerian masses.

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“
Nigerian parents are happy because of NELFUND and TELFUND. We are in Akwa Ibom State on sensitization and oversight on all of the infrastructures executed by TETFUND. On behalf of my colleagues, I want to sincerely appreciate your airport. This law is fundamental to the success story of the development of Nigeria, because education is key to success.”,he noted.

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APC Campaign Council: Meet 14 governors tasked with delivering Tinubu in 2027

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As the 2027 general elections approach, political parties are gearing up for the contest, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeking to retain the presidency and strengthen its hold across the country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened the 2027 electioneering season, paving the way for political parties to roll out their manifestoes, campaign programmes and promises to the electorate.

Against this backdrop, the APC on Saturday unveiled its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election, with 14 serving governors assigned various portfolios and responsibilities aimed at mobilising support and delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the party’s presidential candidate, for a second term.

The governors and their respective roles are:

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Deputy Director-General, North I — Mai Mala Buni

Mai Mala Buni, born on November 19, 1967, is the Governor of Yobe State. He has served as governor since 2019 and previously served as National Secretary of the APC.

Buni was re-elected governor in the 2023 governorship election, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Sheriff Abdullahi.

Before venturing fully into elective politics, Buni was involved in business and served on the boards of several companies.

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Secretary — Hope Uzodimma

Hope Uzodimma, born on December 12, 1958, is the Governor of Imo State and a prominent APC leader.

He became governor in January 2020 after the Supreme Court declared him the winner of the 2019 Imo State governorship election, overturning the election of Emeka Ihedioha of the PDP.

Uzodimma was re-elected governor in the 2023 election and has also served as Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, the umbrella body of APC governors.

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Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-South — Bassey Otu

Bassey Edet Otu, popularly known as Sweet Prince, is the Governor of Cross River State.

He previously represented Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and later served as Senator representing Cross River South between 2011 and 2015.

During his legislative career, Otu chaired committees covering petroleum resources and finance, among others. He was also appointed to the board of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in 2018.

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Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-East — Peter Mbah

Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is the Governor of Enugu State. A lawyer, financial analyst and businessman, he is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd.

Before becoming governor, Mbah served as Chief of Staff and later Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Enugu State.

He was elected governor on the platform of the PDP in 2023 but defected to the APC in October 2025, alongside several political leaders and stakeholders in the state.

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Zonal Campaign Coordinator, South-West — Babajide Sanwo-Olu

Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu has served as Governor of Lagos State since 2019.

He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2018 and defeated the incumbent, Akinwunmi Ambode, at the party’s primary election.

Sanwo-Olu won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023. Before becoming governor, he served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation.

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Zonal Campaign Coordinator, North-Central — Umar Bago

Mohammed Umar Bago is the Governor of Niger State, having assumed office in May 2023.

A former member of the House of Representatives, Bago represented Chanchaga Federal Constituency and served as Chairman of the House Committee on Maritime Safety, Education and Administration.

He emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Niger State ahead of the 2023 election and defeated his closest rival, Isah Liman Kantigi of the PDP.

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Zonal Campaign Coordinator, North-West — Uba Sani

Uba Sani is the Governor of Kaduna State and a former senator representing Kaduna Central.

He began his political career in the early years of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and later served in advisory roles at the federal and state levels.

Sani was elected senator for Kaduna Central in 2019 and emerged as the APC governorship candidate in 2022. He won the 2023 governorship election, defeating the PDP candidate, Isa Ashiru.

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Director, Finance/Treasurer — Sheriff Oborevwori

Sheriff Francis Orohwedor Oborevwori is the Governor of Delta State.

He previously served as Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, representing Okpe Constituency, before emerging as the PDP governorship candidate and winning the 2023 election.

Oborevwori defected to the APC in April 2025 alongside several political leaders in Delta State. The APC subsequently adopted him and President Tinubu as its preferred candidates for the 2027 elections in the state.

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Deputy Director, Finance/Treasurer I — Ahmed Usman Ododo

Ahmed Usman Ododo is the Governor of Kogi State and a member of the APC.

Before becoming governor in 2024, he served as Auditor-General for Local Governments in Kogi State, where he oversaw the auditing of local government accounts.

Ododo is an accountant by profession and studied at the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

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Director, Fundraising — Dapo Abiodun

Dapo Abiodun is the Governor of Ogun State and a member of the APC.

A businessman and accountant, Abiodun served as Chairman of the Corporate Affairs Commission before becoming governor in 2019.

He won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023. Before his political career, he held leadership positions in several companies, particularly in the oil and gas sector.

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Director, Labour Union Relations — Nasir Idris

Nasir Idris is the Governor of Kebbi State and a former labour leader.

He previously served as President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

Idris emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Kebbi State ahead of the 2023 election and was declared winner of the poll by INEC.

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Zonal Coordinator, Stakeholders’ Mobilisation, North-East — Inuwa Yahaya

Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya is the Governor of Gombe State and has served in that position since 2019.

A former Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development in Gombe State, Yahaya also has extensive experience in the private sector.

He won the 2019 governorship election and was re-elected in 2023, defeating the PDP candidate, Muhammad Jibrin Barde.

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Stakeholders’ Mobilisation — Umo Eno

Umo Bassey Eno is the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.

Before becoming governor, he served as Commissioner for Lands and Water Resources in the state and was involved in business and ministry work.

Eno won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the PDP but defected to the APC in June 2025.

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Stakeholders’ Mobilisation — Dauda Lawal

Dauda Lawal is the Governor of Zamfara State.

A banker and former Executive Director, Public Sector North, at First Bank of Nigeria, Lawal won the 2023 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, defeating the incumbent, Bello Matawalle of the APC.

His victory was significant as it marked the first time the PDP won a governorship election in Zamfara State since the return to democracy in 1999.

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Lawal’s inclusion in the APC campaign council follows his subsequent political realignment and the broader expansion of the ruling party ahead of the 2027 elections.

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2027: NDC Urges Atiku To Step Aside, To Back Peter Obi

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The Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race and support the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

The NDC Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, made the call in a post on X, arguing that Atiku’s decision to step aside could strengthen the opposition’s chances of defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 election.

Agada said Atiku’s withdrawal would not diminish his political legacy, but could instead help unite opposition forces behind Obi.

“AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point,” Agada wrote. “His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition.”

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He added that Atiku should support Obi “to kick the APC out,” while praising the former vice president’s character, vision and contribution to Nigerian politics.

The call comes after Atiku declared that the 2027 presidential election would be the final time he would contest for the presidency, regardless of whether he wins or loses.

The former vice president has remained a major figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics, having contested the presidency several times.

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