Overhaul National Assembly structure – CHRICED tells FG

The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has called for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s National Assembly, saying the current two-chamber system is too costly, slow, and full of internal conflicts.

CHRICED made this known in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr. Ibrahim Zikirullahi on Saturday, following a serious disagreement between the Senate and House of Representatives.

The House of Representatives recently said it would stop working on all Senate-sponsored bills because the Senate failed to act on 146 bills passed by the lower chamber.

CHRICED described this as a grave dereliction of legislative responsibility especially at a time when the country is facing many challenges.

“It is particularly troubling that while both chambers routinely expedite executive-sponsored bills often with minimal scrutiny, they consistently neglect bills initiated by citizens and civil society organizations.

“These neglected bills, which are designed to address critical issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, include the Employee Remuneration Protection and Unpaid Wages Bill, the Gender Representation Bill, the Whistleblower Protection Bill, and the Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions Prohibition Bill, among others. Many of these have languished for years without meaningful progress.

“These are bills that affect the lives of ordinary Nigerians, yet they have been abandoned,” the group noted.

CHRICED also criticised lawmakers for always agreeing on constituency projects and enjoying huge salaries and allowances, even though they fail to work together on important national issues.

CHRICED, to solve the problem, repeated its call for Nigeria to adopt a unicameral legislature, a single-chamber lawmaking body saying it would reduce cost, avoid conflict, and improve accountability.

“In light of these developments, CHRICED reiterates its longstanding call for the adoption of a unicameral legislature in Nigeria. The current bicameral structure comprising 469 federal legislators has proven to be inefficient, costly, and prone to institutional rivalry.

“A unicameral system will eliminate inter-chamber rivalry, streamline lawmaking, and bring governance closer to the people,” Zikirullahi said.

The group pointed out that over 100 countries, including Finland, Ghana, and Zambia, operate with one legislative chamber successfully.

“As Nigeria prepares for the July 2025 National Constitution Summit, CHRICED urges all stakeholders civil society, media, professional bodies, traditional and religious leaders, and the public to place the transition to a unicameral legislature at the forefront of the national reform agenda. Such a shift would simplify legislative oversight, improve public engagement, and ensure that the National Assembly serves the interests of the people rather than political expediency.

“In the interim, CHRICED calls on Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately de-escalate the current standoff and prioritize the passage of long-delayed, people-oriented legislation. Should they fail to do so, they must consider stepping aside in the interest of national progress and democratic integrity,” the statement read in part.

CHRICED urges Nigerian citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable through sustained civic engagement, public advocacy, and the ballot box.

“If they cannot, they should step aside in the interest of national progress,” the statement added.

Overhaul National Assembly structure – CHRICED tells FG