NIGERIA
Weakening the Strongman
On Wednesday, the upper house of Nigeria’s parliament voted in favor of a series of constitutional amendments that would weaken the presidency and strengthen the legislature.
The measures would offer certain legal immunity to members of the legislature, reduce the president’s veto powers, and strip the president of law-making powers, Reuters reported. The Senate also voted to impose time limits on key presidential decisions such as nominating ministers and proposing federal budgets, both of which have been much delayed under ailing President Muhammadu Buhari.
However, Senate head Bukola Saraki, who is pushing the changes, is also a likely successor to Buhari. Many see the timing of the amendment – while the president is in Britain receiving medical treatment – as an indication it’s intended to raise Saraki’s profile rather than introduce any real changes.
The amendments must be approved by the lower house and two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 regional state parliaments and then be signed off by the president himself. But their thinly veiled criticism has already gone into effect.
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