Parliamentary System Not Panacea for Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Woes – Tafawa-Balewa

Dr. Abdul-Jhalil Tafawa-Balewa, a former presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asserted that adopting a parliamentary system of government is not the remedy for Nigeria’s ongoing socio-political and economic challenges.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday in Lagos, Tafawa-Balewa addressed the growing calls for Nigeria to transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system of governance as a potential solution to the country’s problems.

Nigeria previously operated under a parliamentary system, modeled after the British Westminster system, from 1960 to 1966, with Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa serving as Prime Minister and Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as the ceremonial head of state.

However, Tafawa-Balewa argued that a shift to a parliamentary system is not the answer. “No, but I think democracy in Nigeria needs to be modified to better represent our unique circumstances. Introducing something radically different at this time would be too costly and impractical,” he stated.

He emphasized the need for urgent restructuring of the country, advocating for the devolution of power from the central government to the federating zones. According to Tafawa-Balewa, this restructuring would allow the zones to develop based on their comparative advantages, potentially resolving many of the nation’s issues.

“Each zone has its own strengths. By allowing them to specialize in their respective areas, Nigeria can become a much better country,” he said. He suggested that the South-West could focus on the service industry, the South-East on marine industry, manufacturing, and commerce, the South-South on petroleum manufacturing derivatives, and the North on agriculture.

“If we invest properly in these areas, Nigeria will thrive. The standard of living will improve, and we will be able to keep pace with the rest of the world,” he added.

Tafawa-Balewa clarified that he is not advocating for a confederacy but rather a “zonal specialization system,” where the central government would be responsible only for the military, foreign affairs, maintaining national integrity, and representation in international bodies.

Criticizing the high cost of governance, he highlighted that the National Assembly has become over-bloated and inefficient. “We don’t need such a large assembly. A slimmed-down federal body with fewer representatives would be more effective, especially in a country where the average citizen earns less than a dollar a day, and basic necessities are increasingly unaffordable,” he said.

He concluded by calling for a new constitution that would simplify governance and foster better relationships between the federal government and the zones. “A new, uniquely Nigerian federation, where each zone has the opportunity to develop at its own pace, would benefit us all,” Tafawa-Balewa stated.

(NAN)