Nigeria is facing a political crisis that requires immediate action. Though the country returned to civilian rule in 1999, the democracy has been in name only. The two main political parties are driven by an unquenchable thirst for power and wealth. This explains why politicians constantly shift between the parties and collude with foreign powers like China to exploit Nigeria’s natural resources. Nigeria ranks poorly on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, highlighting the rampant abuse of power at the expense of the people.
To solve this problem, we must recognize that this dysfunction is a result of the remnants of military dictatorship. To demilitarize our politics, we must dismantle the structures put in place by these power-hungry figures. Nigeria’s true democracy was stifled in the 1960s by the military and to rectify this, we must revisit the foundations laid in the 1950s. Extensive discussions were held across Nigeria, to determine the path forward for our diverse nation. A parliamentary system was chosen, which led to regional progress and development as the different regions competed with each other.
However, General Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a new presidential system in 1979, designed to centralize power. Genuine elections gave way to orchestrated selections determined by figures manipulating the electoral and judicial systems. When Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999, Obasanjo set this destructive precedent for how parties operate and elections are conducted.
Nigeria is on the brink of collapse, with violence and instability affecting states across the country. There are daily banditry activities, kidnappings on major highways, and in rural communities. To survive, we must urgently return to a parliamentary model because it encourages coalition-building, broader representation, and consensus-driven policies. In the current system, our Presidents have become like kings with the powers of monarchy. A parliamentary system will ensure that there is no single all-powerful figurehead and that more voices are heard.
The 60 lawmakers of the National Assembly who are pushing for a bill to return to a parliamentary system should be commended. Nigerians should support this initiative, and this should happen in 2027. This drastic action is not a guaranteed fix, but it is a vital first step toward dismantling the toxic legacy of military rule and rekindling the dream of a Nigeria led by those who put the nation first.