Presidential system of government is one in which all the executive
powers are vested in one person called the president who is dully elected by
the people. It can also be seen as a system in which
the executive arm of government separated from the legislature but
equal to it. The President is both the head of state and head of
government, and is referred to as executive president because, he has
executive powers. The president who is elected by the electorate either
directly or indirectly through Electoral College and not chosen by the
legislature, is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The president
appoints members of his cabinets who are also not members of the Parliament.
The principle of collective responsibility does not hold in presidential
system of government and members of the cabinets are responsible to the
president. Nigeria and USA are good example of presidential system of
government.
Features of presidential system of government.
a. In the presidential system of the government, the president is both the head of state and head of government.
b. The principle of separation of powers where the executive arm of government is separated from the legislature and judiciary applies in the presidential system of government.
c. The president and his ministers are not members of the parliament.
d. The president is elected either directly or indirectly through an electoral college and not chosen by the legislature.
e. The tenure of the office of the president is limited to a fixed term.
f. The principle of checks and balances applies in presidential system of government.
g. The cabinet/ministers are responsible to the president not the legislature.
h. The constitution is the supreme law in a presidential system of government
i. The president has the power to dismiss any member of his cabinet anytime
Merits of presidential system of government
a. Separation of powers: there is clear separation of powers among the three arms of government which prevent misuse of power, since power corrupt on absolute power corrupt absolutely.
b. Checks and Balances: the application of the principle of checks and balances makes government official including the President cautious meticulous (careful) in carrying out their functions, which makes government very efficient and orderly.
c. Fixed tenure of office: the system fixes a limited period for the president to rule and give chance to others and this prevents the emergence of a president for life.
d. Prevent the emergence of dictators: the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances make it near impossible for dictators to emerge in a presidential system of government.
e. Effective Executive control: the system allows the president effective control of the executive arm of government. He has the power to discipline any member of his cabinet who misbehaves, and the party has no power to discipline the president.
f. It encourages Massive Participation: more people are given the opportunity to participate in government since members of the legislature are different from members of the cabinet.
g. Proper Use of Talents: since the president has the right to choose members of his cabinet from anywhere even outside the parliament, it creates room for proper use of talents.
Demerits of presidential system of government
a. It may Breeds Dictators: since power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, over concentration of powers in the president can corrupt him and makes him a dictator.
b. Lobbying: lobbying is interpreted by many as bribery, since many legislators wait to be bribed before passing any bill initiated by the president, and this breeds corruption.
c. Expensive to Run: the system, as a result of non-fusion of the executive and legislature makes it too expensive to run.
d. No Security of Tenures for Ministers: since the president has the right to dismiss any member of his cabinet, there is no security of tenure for them.
e. Frequent Friction: due to separation of the two houses, there is always disagreement between the legislature and executive, especially when the legislature is controlled by a different party. The legislature uses passing of bills initiated by the executive to hold the executive to ransom and in retaliation, the president will withhold his assent to bills passed in the legislature.
f. Difficulty in Impeaching the President: the difficulty in the process of impeachment could make the president abuse his office and yet complete his term.
Duties/Functions of the Executive President
1. An executive president is both the head of state and head of government, and the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces.
2. He prepares and presents the annual budget to the National Assembly.
3. He appoints ministers and other members of his cabinet
4. He awards national honours to deserving citizen of the country.
5. With the approval of parliament, the president has right to declare state of emergency.
6. He receives the representatives of other countries to his country.
7. The president has the constitutional right to grant pardon to those who committed offences against the state under the prerogative of mercy.
8. He assents to bills passed in the National Assembly.
Limitations on the Powers of the Executive President
a. The constitution limits the term of office of the executive president in some countries like Nigeria and USA to two of four years each.
b. The president must present list of appointed minister, ambassadors etc. to the National Assembly for approval.
c. The principles of checks and balances curtail the powers of the president.
d. The National Assembly has the constitutional power to impeach the president if he violets the constitution or for any corrupt act.
e. The judiciary has the constitutional power to declare any presidential action that violets the constitution null and void and unconstitutional.
If the legislature is controlled by another party, the president’s bills could find it difficult to be passed
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