Presidential system has failed Nigeria, parliamentary model is better & more inclusive— Olu Falae

Elder statesman and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Chief Olu Falae, has renewed calls for Nigeria to return to a parliamentary system of government, arguing that it is better suited for a multi-ethnic and diverse nation like Nigeria.

Speaking on Arise Tv on Thursday to mark Democracy Day, Chief Falae emphasized that the current presidential system has proven to be expensive, divisive, and unsuitable for Nigeria’s socio-political landscape.

“The parliamentary system is far more better than the presidential system in a country like Nigeria, which is made up of multiple ethnic nationalities and cultures,” he said.

The former Minister of Finance said that under the parliamentary model, power is more decentralized and fosters greater accountability, inclusion, and collaboration, especially among minority groups.

“In a parliamentary system, government is formed from the legislature, which means a ruling coalition must reflect the diversity of the country. This helps in managing ethnic tensions and ensuring wider representation,” Falae added.

He lamented that the current presidential system concentrates too much power at the center, encourages political godfatherism, and breeds corruption due to weak checks and balances.

“The presidential system has created an overbearing executive that is hard to check. It’s expensive, inefficient, and has failed to meet the developmental needs of Nigerians,” he argued.

Chief Falae, who once ran for president in 1999, noted that Nigeria’s First Republic, under the parliamentary system, achieved more in terms of infrastructure, education, and economic growth than what has been witnessed in recent decades.

He called on the National Assembly and constitutional reform committees to seriously consider restructuring the country’s governance system to ensure long-term peace and development.

“We must stop pretending that the structure we have now is working. It is not. We need to go back to a system that reflects our reality and can accommodate our differences,” he stressed.

The elder statesman urged political leaders, especially at the federal level, to show courage and foresight in pushing for systemic reforms that will strengthen Nigeria’s unity and progress.