They are also pushing for an amendment to establish a single six-year tenure for the President and Governors of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Ikenga Ugochinyere, representing Ideato South/Ideato North Federal Constituency in Imo State, who spoke on behalf of the group on Monday in Abuja, “The reduction in government spending and wastage, efficiency in governance, and national stability by providing a single term of six years for the President and Governors,” will go a long way in cost-cutting measures.”

Comprising approximately 60 lawmakers, the group highlights the necessity of this transition in light of decreasing government revenue, aiming to streamline costs.

Titled “The Bills Proposing Constitutional Alterations For a Transition To Parliamentary System of Government,” the initiative is spearheaded by House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and 59 others. The bill was formally introduced during a plenary session in Abuja on Wednesday.

Abdussamad Dasuki, a spokesperson for the Parliamentary Bill Sponsors, emphasized the historic significance of the proposed transition, noting bipartisan support and diverse regional representation among the lawmakers involved.

The proposed amendments advocate for a transition to a parliamentary system at all government levels—federal, state, and local. Advocates argue that such alterations would significantly reshape the national political landscape.

Dasuki highlighted the foundational wisdom behind the parliamentary system, referencing its successful implementation during the First Republic.

He noted that this system fostered accountability, efficiency, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs.

Over time, he observed, the flaws of the Presidential System of Government have become evident, despite attempts to address them through constitutional amendments.

Key issues include the high cost of governance, excessive executive powers, and the resultant strain on resources for essential sectors like infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

The bills presented seek a return to the governance system embraced by Nigeria’s founders, aiming for greater accountability, responsibility, and cost-effectiveness in governance.

However, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other experts have cautioned against the government’s move to establish new institutions without adequate funding for existing ones.

Despite the existing 52 federal universities in Nigeria, with a total of 63 public universities and 147 private institutions, the government has proposed further expansion.

The National Board for Technical Education reports 40 federal polytechnics, 49 state-owned polytechnics, and 76 private polytechnics.

Additionally, there are 70 federal and state-owned colleges of health, along with 17 private colleges of health. The National Commission for Colleges of Education estimates that there are 219 colleges of education in the country.

Analysis of the bills reveals that the Speaker of the House led the initiative, proposing the establishment of the Federal University of Technology in Kaduna.

Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker, advocated for the development of the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Bende, Abia State.

Other bills suggest the creation of institutions such as the Federal University of Information and Communications Technology in Lagos Island, Federal University of Agriculture in Ute Okpa, Delta State, and the Federal University of Biomedical Sciences in Benue State.

Further proposals include the establishment of the Federal College of Health Sciences in Gaya, Federal College of Dental Technology in Faggae, Federal College of Agriculture in Agila, Benue State, Federal College of Education in Dangi-Kanam, Plateau State, and the Federal College of Education in Bende, Abia State.

Additionally, bills have been presented for the Benjamin Kalu Federal Polytechnic in Rano, Kano State, and the Federal Polytechnic in Shendam, Plateau State, among others.

Senator Yemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, refuted the allegation in a statement released in Abuja on Thursday.

In response to a statement attributed to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) accusing lawmakers of receiving the sum, Senator Adaramodu described the allegation as strange, ludicrous, and unthinkable.

He questioned the motives behind such false accusations and the credibility of the source.

He urged the public, especially Nigerian workers, to dismiss these allegations.

Senator Adaramodu also emphasized that the National Assembly would not hesitate to take legal action against those spreading false information about legislators.

”What do these negative characters want to gain from their lies and falsehood against the National Assembly? This is strange to us, very ludicrous and unthinkable.

“There is no N100million for a legislator anywhere, from which budget is this coming from?

“How, where and when? this is another satanic ploy of a miserable gang of media and political dark angels, to bring the Nigerian parliament into disrepute and pitch the legislators against the Nigerian public.

“We believe that the public is aware that popular democracy is an anathema to some unpatriotic political mercenaries, hence their systemic blackmail of the parliament, which undoubtedly is the soul of democracy and sovereignty,” Adaramodu said.

The Senator added, “The National Assembly shall not hesitate, henceforth to take constitutional and legal actions against irreverent merchants of rumours and ill wills against legislators.

“The national assembly should not be taken as a political scapegoat.

“We don’t expect anything less from the NLC leadership, we only opined that they will place national interest above partisan nihilistic outbursts.

“If the Congress wishes to serve as the conscience of Nigerian workers, it must purge itself of political comments that can truncate our democracy.

“We believe that Nigerians see this new unscrupulous advocacy as a comedy to entertain only the unsuspecting.”

Before presenting the proposed budget, the President gave a breakdown of the performance of the 2020 budget.

The lawmakers also passed the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).

Addressing the lawmakers during the 2021 budget presentation, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan explained that while the 2020 budget focussed on job creation and economic stability among other things, the 2021 budget is targetted at the consolidating on the of gains on the 2020 budget.

President Buhari addresses the House on the performance of the 2020 budget.

He notes that the challenging global and economic environment had major implications on the nation.

He, however, highlights that the government did not relent on its effort at poverty alleviation and job creation. One of which included the Public Works Programme.

The President adds that despite the challenges, the government has delivered on key polices, programmes and projects.

He says the 2021 budget is tagged the budget of economic recovery and resilience.

According to the president, “the main thrust of the 2021 budget is to complete as many ongoing projects as possible”, while giving priority to the ones that most affect the people.

At the first and second gates, journalists were harassed by the Police, who took advantage of ‘a not clear cut’ directive from the information unit of the National Assembly, DaliyPost reports.

There was a near scuffle with the Police when members of the Senate Press Corps demanded to know if there was an instruction to stop journalists from getting into the complex.

At a point, a Deputy Commissioner of Police attached to the National Assembly in company of his men threatened to beat up a female journalist when he felt his orders were ignored, having told them to disperse.

Journalists who are members of the Senate and House of Representatives Press Corps are the accredited pressmen that cover proceedings.

Some have spent three to four hours struggling to enter without any clear directive from the information unit as to what should be done to allow them entry.

More worrisome is the conflicts of directives from the information unit, which gave an instruction only to change it afterward, leaving the security men and staff of Sergeant at Arms confused.

Initially, information filtered in from the Director of information that names of media organizations present should be compiled only for the directive to be changed, and up till the time of filing this report, journalists have not been allowed into the NASS.