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The former candidate for the Governor of the State Rivers under the Congress of All Progressive (APC), Tonye Cole, has called for a national re-evaluation of the presidential system of the Nigerian government, with the reason that it remains in accordance with the country’s socio-cultural reality.
Speaking during interviews in television politics Channels Today on Friday, Cole expressed concern over the adoption of the African Western political model, which he described as “contrary to who we are.” According to him, many Africans, including the Nigerians, felt alienated by the imported government system and were not adapted to the historical context and unique culture of the continent.
“The American system that we call the presidential system in Nigeria – we must go and reread,” he said. “We cannot import the British parliamentary system and expect it to work here, we also cannot bring the American President’s system and expect it to develop. That is not in harmony with our identity.”
Cole’s statement reflects a broader concern throughout the continent regarding the effectiveness of the foreign democratic framework. He argues that the dissatisfaction felt by many citizens towards governance is not due to lack of democratic values, but from the imposition of a system that is not in harmony with the original governance structure.
“Ask the Africans whether they are satisfied with the political and democratic system in their country, and they will tell you not,” he said. “That’s not because we don’t appreciate governance – it’s because this system is foreign to us.”
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Entrepreneurs and politicians attract attention to other parts of the world, such as China and several Arab countries, where adapted political systems have emerged based on historical continuity and cultural relevance. He insisted that Nigeria, also, had had a political structure that functions before colonialism and must consider reviving the models in modern form.
“We had a political system before Europeans came. Even during the era of the slave trade, our community was organized, they ruled themselves. Why are we now running away from who are we?” He asked.
Cole further criticizes the current system because it allows power concentration and offers a little space for accountability. He noted that Nigeria had struggled to build a strong institution under the President’s model, with many of its structures reflecting the Template of British or America that was not in accordance with the complex ethnic and social landscapes in the country.
“We are trying to grap Western institutions to the land of Nigeria, but the cultural environment does not support it,” he said. “Until we recognize this termination, we will continue to fight with governance.”
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