Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Rivers State in 2023, has asserted that Nigeria needs to reevaluate its existing presidential system of governance, arguing that it is ill-suited for the nation.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Cole remarked that many individuals across Africa are dissatisfied with the political frameworks in their countries. ‘The American-style presidential system we have in Nigeria requires reassessment,’ Cole stated.
‘We cannot simply adopt the UK’s parliamentary system and expect it to function here; similarly, the presidential system will not be effective in our context. Every African would likely express dissatisfaction with their political system and democracy, as it fundamentally contradicts our identity.’
He pointed out that successful nations have crafted governance systems that reflect their specific circumstances, referencing Arab countries and China as examples of nations that have rejected Western political paradigms. Cole stressed that Nigeria’s governance should be deeply rooted in its cultural heritage, highlighting that the country had its own political framework prior to colonization and should contemplate a return to it.
‘We should establish a political system that is focused on Africa and Nigeria, as we had one before European influence. We had a political structure even during the slave trade. So, what are we trying to escape from? We know the right path forward,’ he stated. The politician further explained that one of the reasons the presidential system fails in Nigeria is its potential for exploitation by a select few, noting that it has not fostered institutions capable of holding individuals accountable.
He remarked that Nigeria is currently developing institutions based on the British model, which he believes cannot be integrated into Nigerian culture.