The League of Northern Democrats (LND), led by former Kano State Governor Ibrahim Shekarau, has strongly opposed any move to revert Nigeria to a parliamentary system of government, arguing in favor of maintaining the current presidential system.
Shekarau presented the group’s position in a paper on Monday at the National Dialogue on a Home-Grown Parliamentary System, held in Abuja.
Shekarau emphasized that the presidential system, which requires political leaders to seek a broad, nationwide mandate, fosters national unity by compelling candidates to appeal to diverse ethnic and regional groups.
He argued that this system promotes inclusivity through the Federal Character principle, ensuring that all parts of the country are fairly represented in governance.
In contrast, Shekarau warned that the parliamentary model, which was Nigeria’s system at independence, could lead to the entrenchment of narrow regional interests.
He cited the First Republic as an example, where parliamentary representation was often focused on local constituencies, which sometimes exacerbated regional divisions and undermined national cohesion.
According to Shekarau, the presidential system helps prevent the domination of any single ethnic or regional group in the political sphere, and encourages coalition-building, which in turn facilitates national integration.
He suggested that a return to the parliamentary system could foster localism and factionalism, as legislators would be primarily focused on regional rather than national priorities.
“The presidential system’s broader mandate allows for a more inclusive political process, which has been vital in breaking down ethnic and regional barriers and advancing national unity,” Shekarau concluded.
