As part of the reflection on the organization of our political institutions and in a context where the question of rationalizing the costs of governance is more relevant than ever, the idea of moving from bicameralism to unicameralism is seen put back on the table. This proposal sparks heated debates and divergent arguments regarding its applicability to the presidential system in force in Nigeria.
One of the proponents of this transition is Salami, former deputy publicity secretary of the party in Lagos. According to him, merging the Senate and the House of Representatives into a single chamber would streamline the legislative process and reduce the costs associated with maintaining two separate chambers. He emphasizes that the considerable funds allocated to the functioning of the Senate and the House of Representatives could be better used elsewhere, in particular to support the country’s economy.
The main argument put forward in favor of unicameralism is the reduction of expenses linked to salaries, allowances and other benefits of parliamentarians. By consolidating all legislative functions within a single chamber, operating costs would be significantly reduced, providing an opportunity for significant budgetary savings. In addition, unicameralism would simplify the legislative process, eliminating possible conflicts or blockages between two separate chambers.
Interestingly, many countries around the world are adopting the unicameral system successfully. China, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Portugal are some examples of countries that operate with a single legislative chamber. These countries demonstrate that unicameralism is a viable option, even for presidential systems of government.
Regarding the selection of ministers, Salami proposes that they be chosen from among members of parliament, which would also save money by avoiding recruiting ministers from outside parliament. This choice could make it possible to leverage the expertise and experience of parliamentarians in the executive, thus strengthening the cohesion and effectiveness of the government.
In conclusion, the transition to unicameralism has potential benefits in terms of cost reduction, simplification of the legislative process and optimization of human resources. If this proposal arouses debate and resistance, it is necessary to continue reflection on the best way to adapt our political institutions to the needs and current realities of Nigeria.