Nigeria Political Institutions

1. Nigeria Political Institutions By: Ethan George Jared Kent

2. Federal political system with government organizations on local, state, and national levels • 3 branches of Government • Executive Branch eliminates policymaking • Has gone through 3 Republics all since 1979 -Instability? Introduction

3. 36 state governments and 774 local governments • Neither federalism or checks and balances operate • Local, district and state courts exist • A legislative and executive branch do exist • Totally dependent on the central government State and Local Governments

4. President is elected by popular vote for a four-year term and can serve two terms. There is Vice President as well who can assume the presidency. • President must be a citizen of Nigeria and be at least 40 years of age and be sponsored by a political party. • President is chief of state and head of government as well as in charge of the Federation of the Executive/cabinet. • The President must choose at least one member from each of the 36 states into his cabinet. • The executive branch is divided into Federal Ministries which are headed by a minister appointed by the President. • Ministers may be responsible for more than one ministry if Federal Ministries are combined. Or Ministers may be assisted by other ministers of the state. • Each ministry has a Permanent Secretary, who is a senior civil servant. • All of the President’s appointments are confirmed by the Senate of Nigeria Executive Structure

5. Agreement to signing bills • Referring a bill back to the National assembly to determine the constitutionality of the law • Summoning of the National Assembly, or Parliament to conduct special business • Making appointments that the Constitution or legislature require the President to make. • Appointing commissions of inquiry • Calling a national referendum in terms of an Act of Parliament. • Receiving and recognizing foreign relations and represent the nation • Appointing ambassadors, plenipotentiaries, and diplomatic and consular representatives. • Pardoning or reprieving offenders and remitting any fines, or penalties. • Bestowing honours. President’s Responsibilities

6. Nigeria has had 7 military leaders and all have promised a “transition to democracy” • Only two military leaders have given power to elected leaders: General Obasanjo in 1979, and General Abubakar in 1999 • General Buhari (1983-1985), Babangida (1985-1993), and Abacha (1993-1998 were know for their use of repressive tactics • All military and civilian administrations have concentrated power to the executive • Presidents appointed senior officials without legislative approval • Legislature and judiciary do not consistently check executive power Executive Under Military Rule

7. Generals rule under a system of Patrimonialism • President is the head of an intricate patron-client system and dispenses government jobs and resources as rewards to his supporters. • This system is unstable because many generals have been overthrown • Impulse towards democracy is preventing this system from working • All government jobs are part of the president’s patronage system Patrimonialism

8. Current President of Nigeria representing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Took office May 5, 2010 and as acting president May 9, 2010. • He assumed the Presidency on March 5, 2010 when the former President Yar’Adua died. • He served as Governor of Bayelsa State and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria • His vice President Mohammed NamadiSambo(Since May 19, 2010) • Cabinet: Federal Executive Council • An election was held April 16, 2011 which Goodluck Jonathon ran in. • Election Results: Goodluck Jonathon: 58.9%, Muhammed Buhari: 32.0%, NuhuRibadu: 5.4%, Ibrahim Shekarau: 2.4%, other: 1.3% Source: CIA World Factbook Goodluck Jonathan

9. The British established a civil service in Nigeria during the colonial days allowing Nigerians to fill lower level jobs in the bureaucracy. • After independence civil service remained, and has grown tremendously. • Bureaucracy is said to be bloated and generally a fact that it is corrupt and inefficient. • Bribery is common and jobs are offered through the patron-client system, or Prebendalism(this system has led to an increase in the number of bureaucratic jobs). The Bureaucracy

10. Corporations owned by the state and designated to provide commercial and social welfare services. • Privately owned but their boards are appointed by government ministers. • Their executives are interwoven into the president’s patronage system. • Commonly supply Nigeria with public utilities, such as water, electricity, public transportation, and agricultural subsidies. Others control major industries such as steel, defense products, and petroleum • Some Para-Statals supervised by Ministries: Universities, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, National Broadcasting Commission. • Some Para-Statals supervised by the President: Independent National Electoral Commission, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission Para-Statals

11. State corporatism in Nigeria

12. A bicameral system put in place in 1979 • Officially named the National Assembly • Four year terms for the Representatives and Senators • The Senate is the Upper House (109 members) • Senators are directly elected by popular vote • Equal Representation for states • Resembles U.S. Senate The Legislative Branch

13. The House of Representatives is the lower house (360 members) • Elected by Plurality in Single Member Districts • Lowest rates of female representation in the legislature in the world • In the past it had almost no power under military rule • Recently has become an effective check on the President Legislative Continued

14. Judiciary

15. Military