 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?
 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
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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
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Agreement to signing bills
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Summoning of the National Assembly, or
Parliament to conduct special business
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Making appointments that the Constitution or
legislature require the President to make.
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Appointing commissions of inquiry
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Receiving and recognizing foreign relations
and represent the nation
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Appointing ambassadors, plenipotentiaries,
and diplomatic and consular representatives.
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Pardoning or reprieving offenders and
remitting any fines, or penalties.
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Bestowing honours.
Referring a bill back to the National assembly
to determine the constitutionality of the law
Calling a national referendum in terms of an
Act of Parliament.
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Nigeria has had 7 military leaders and
all have promised a “transition to
democracy”
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Only two military leaders have given
power to elected leaders: General
Obasanjo in 1979, and General
Abubakar in 1999
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General Buhari (1983-1985),
Babangida (1985-1993), and Abacha
(1993-1998 were know for their use of
repressive tactics
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All military and civilian administrations
have concentrated power to the
executive
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Presidents appointed senior officials
without legislative approval
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Legislature and judiciary do not
consistently check executive power
 Generals rule under a
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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
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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 Namadi Sambo
(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%, Nuhu Ribadu: 5.4%,
Ibrahim Shekarau: 2.4%, other: 1.3%
Source: CIA World Factbook
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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).
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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.
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Some Para-Statals supervised by the President:
Independent National Electoral Commission,
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
Federal Civil Service Commission
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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 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