Politics
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.
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.
“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.
” 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.
“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.
“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.
” 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
Leaked ‘Abuja List’ Rocks Adamawa APC Ahead Of Primaries: Gov. Fintiri Named For Senate, Grace Bent’s Name Missing
Fresh scandal has erupted ahead of Monday’s All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Adamawa State after a purported list containing the names of “pre-selected” Senate and House of Representatives candidates surfaced online, further fueling allegations that the exercise has already been hijacked by powerful interests in Abuja.
The leaked document, which has now sparked outrage among party members and aspirants, contains the names of candidates allegedly penciled down as winners even before delegates cast a single vote.
On the controversial Senate list, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri was named as the supposed candidate for Adamawa North Senatorial District, while Felix Tangwami reportedly emerged as the “favoured” candidate for Adamawa South.
Curiously, no name was attached to the Adamawa Central Senatorial District slot.
Sources familiar with the backdoor negotiations revealed that the fate of the central ticket would be determined late Sunday night depending on the outcome of the governorship ticket arrangements and ongoing power calculations among party heavyweights.
The development has reinforced growing fears among APC stakeholders that the entire primary process has been reduced to a mere formality, with candidates allegedly handpicked in Abuja long before the scheduled exercise.
Several aggrieved aspirants and party loyalists had earlier accused APC leaders of imposing candidates and manipulating internal democratic processes in the state.
The media had in previous reports detailed complaints by party members over alleged intimidation, secret meetings, delegate list doctoring and attempts by political godfathers to foist preferred candidates on the party.
The emergence of Felix Tangwami on the controversial list has particularly angered supporters of other high-profile aspirants from Adamawa South, believed to enjoy stronger grassroots support within the party.
Among those reportedly affected is former senator Grace Bent, a prominent APC chieftain who was recently nominated by President Bola Tinubu as an ambassador.
In March, Tinubu approved the appointment of 31 career and 34 non-career ambassadors to various countries and the United Nations, with Bent posted to Lome, Togo.
However, in April, Bent collected her nomination and expression of interest forms under the APC to contest the Adamawa South senatorial seat, raising indications that she may have opted to pursue her political ambition instead of taking up the diplomatic posting.
Party members loyal to Bent described her omission from the alleged “Abuja arrangement” as shocking, insisting that she remained one of the most visible and widely accepted aspirants in the southern zone.
Some party insiders argued that despite her longstanding political structure and influence in Adamawa South, Bent was allegedly sacrificed in the ongoing power-sharing calculations among top APC figures, further deepening accusations that loyalty to certain political blocs, rather than popularity or delegate support, now determines who gets party tickets.
Party insiders warned that the emergence of the latest “Abuja list” could trigger fresh rebellion within the APC in Adamawa, with many aspirants threatening legal action and mass protest if the primaries turn out to be a scripted exercise.
“This is no longer a primary election; it is selection from Abuja,” one furious aspirant revealed.
As tension mounts across the state, many party faithful fear that the alleged manipulation may deepen divisions within the APC ahead of the next general election.
Senator representing Ogun East, Gbenga Daniel, has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary scheduled for Monday, citing alleged plans to unleash violence on his supporters.
Daniel, who is seeking re-election, has been embroiled in a political face-off with Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun over the APC ticket for Ogun East.
The rift between both camps has intensified in recent weeks, with accusations and counter-accusations from loyalists of the two political leaders.
In a statement released on Sunday by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu – Otunba Gbenga Daniel (BATOGD) Movement, Daniel directed his supporters to boycott the primary election over security concerns and alleged threats from agents of the state government.
The statement, jointly signed by the Director General of BATOGD, General Olumuyiwa Okunowo (rtd), and 34 others, alleged that suspicious movements and the presence of miscreants had heightened fears of violence ahead of the exercise.
“In the last few days we have seen all manners of strange movements and miscreants taking positions and ready to strike down our people. We have heard and seen agents of the state government threatening fire and brimstone against our supporters, and the elections yesterday is a confirmation of our worst fears,” the statement read.
It added that the group could not, in good conscience, expose supporters to danger and mayhem.
“On this note, we have advised our Principal, His Excellency, Senator Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to distance himself from the senatorial party primary elections.
“We also hereby advise our supporters to stay away from the venues of the senatorial party primary election of Monday, May 18, 2026, for their own safety,” the statement added.
Speaking with Daily Trust, Daniel’s media aide, Steve Oliyide, confirmed that the former governor endorsed the decision to withdraw from the contest.
“Yes, because we cannot put our supporters in harm’s way. Their safety is more of our concern than the contest. If the party is ready to conduct a free and fair election and can guarantee the safety of our members, then we are game,” Oliyide said.
Below are names and constituencies of APC federal constituency ticket in Delta state
*Ethiope Federal Constituency*
Hon. Suenu-Ibori.
*Ughelli/Udu Federal Constituency*
Rev Francis Waive
*Okpe/Sapele/Uwvie Constituency*
Hon. Ramson Onoyake.
*Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency*
Hon Ndudi Godwin Elumelu
*Ika Federal Constituency*
Mr Emmanuel Osazuwa
*Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal Constituency*
Hon Nnamdi Ezechi
*Burutu Federal Constituency*
Hon. Julius Pondi
*Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency*
Rt Hon Basil Ganagana
*Isoko federal Constituency*
Pastor Ajirioghene Ukodhiko
*Warri federal Constituency***
Chief Thomas Ereyitomi
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