Nigeria Moves Towards Parliamentary System: House of Reps Considers Prime Minister Role

The Nigerian House of Representatives has taken a significant step towards restructuring the country’s governance system by passing a bill for a constitutional amendment to create the office of a Prime Minister as the Head of Government, while the President would serve as the Head of State. The bill, which passed its second reading, is part of a broader effort to amend the 1999 Constitution, with a total of 32 proposed changes under consideration.

Among other key amendments is a proposal to reserve specific legislative seats for women at the national and state levels, addressing long-standing calls for gender inclusion in governance. Another crucial bill seeks to expedite the resolution of pre-election disputes by establishing dedicated tribunals, potentially reducing prolonged legal battles that often disrupt Nigeria’s electoral process.

Additionally, the House is considering altering the eligibility requirements for presidential and gubernatorial candidates, reviewing the Federal Capital Territory’s role in presidential elections, and creating new states such as Wan and Gobir. These amendments, if successful, could mark one of the most significant overhauls of Nigeria’s political framework since the return to democracy in 1999.