Political InstiTUTIONS IN NIGERIA
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Transcript of Political InstiTUTIONS IN NIGERIA
POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS
IN NIGERIASuraj Minisandram
Connor KirbyJessica Stickel
BACKGROUND
In theory–federal political system Government organizations on local , state and national level Constitutions—three branches of government
In reality—executive branch dominates policymaking Neither federalism nor checks and balances
operate State and local governments dependent on central
government
Changes in Nigeria’s Executive Branch
1979 1983 1999
Presidential system established- two term limit for chief executive
Palace coup established military dictatorship; subsequent coups- all promised “transition to democracy”
First presidential election; civilian rule returned but 1999 and 2003 presidents were military generals
Executive Legislative Judicial
The Senate
The House of Representatives
Bureaucracy
Sharia courtsCourts based on British
model
MilitaryInfluences
from
THE EXECUTIVE Presidential system (2nd republic 1979)
Previous parliamentary system failed because ethnicities fragmented the multi-party system
Belief was that president could symbolize unity Followed US model until 1983 coup by Major-
General Muhammadu Buhari Period of turmoil until 2007 when one civilian
president handed power to another for the first time
President Goodluck Jonathon
THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH UNDER MILITARY RULE
Seven military leaders All promised “transition to democracy”
Only two gave power to elected leaders General Obasanjo in 1979General Abubakar in 1999
Presidents have appointed senior officials without legislative approval
Legislature and judiciary fail to check executive power
THE EXECUTIVE-PATRIMONIALISM Patrimonialism- president is head of an
intricate patron-client system and dispenses government jobs and resources as rewards to supporters
Government jobs part of patronage system
Unstable system because
generals are repeatedly
overthrown
THE BUREAUCRACY Civil service system from the British still
in place after independence Bureaucracy corrupt and inefficient Jobs awarded through patron-client
system or prebendalism Many Nigerian
government agencies
are actually para-statals
BUREAUCRACY: PARA-STATALS State corporatism exists because para-
satals are government controlled Para-statals are corporations owned by the
state and designated to provide commercial and social welfare services Inefficiently run and corrupt NEPA (electrical service)
renamed Power Holding
Company (Please Hold Candle)
THE LEGISLATURE
Nigerian legislature has
taken many forms since
independence Parlimentary system in place until 1979
which was replaced by presidential systemBicameral legislature known as National
Assembly Elections held week preceding the
presidential elections
SENATE AND HOUSE Senate
Upper house Composed of 109 senators,
3 from each of the 36 states and
one from the federal capital territory
of Abuja Elected directly by popular vote
House of Representatives Lower house 360 members from SMDs Elected by plurality
SENATE AND HOUSE CONT. Has only recently become an effective
check on president’s power Ex. National Assembly’s failure to ratify
President Obasanjo’s plan to alter the constitution to allow him to run for a third term
Representatives and senators have often been part of corruption scandals.
THE JUDICIARY
Early years of independence-
courts were autonomous Combination of British common law and
traditional law (including sharia in the northern region)
Operated independently from executive Military rule ravaged the court system
Judicial review suspended President’s cronies appointed as judgesJudges today not well versed in law
JUDICIARY CONT.
Examples of military rule of judiciary: Mshood Abiolao, the winner of 1993 election
that was annulled by Babangida-detained and died in custody
Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogonis were detained and hanged by a military court
Critics of the government believed that justice was not served
JUDICIARY CONT.
Today judiciary is supposed to interpret laws with the constitution so judicial review exists in theory Court structures at both federal and state
levels; highest court is supreme court Court structure complicated by sharia courts
that exist side by side 1999 Constitution established a Supreme
Court, Federal Court of Appeals, and a single unified court system
JUDICIARY CONT.
Tribunals have been established, especially to hear accusations of voting fraudShows that Nigeria takes rule of law more
seriously than before The judiciary is stronger and more
independent now than in the past
THE MILITARY
Strong force behind policymaking
in Nigeria, but by becoming more
politically active military lost credibility 1966- first coup- military made distinctions
between “military in government” and “military in barracks” “military in barracks” fulfills traditional duties of
military; leaders critical of military control of political power
Military presidents keep a close eye on other military leaders
MILITARY CONT.
One of the few institutions
that is national in character Often blocked democratic reforms Military has restored stability when deep
ethnic cleavages threaten society Nigeria’s best often make their way by
rising through the military
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPKzlCu3RmI
Sources http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/ng.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_the_President_of_Nigeria http://
www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/may/29/goodluck-jonathan-nigerian-president
http://www.nairaland.com/358286/tribute-nigerian-military-pictures/15 http://www.nigeriaintel.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Senate-Nig.jpg
http://www.voiceofnigeria.org/Nigeria/images/Nigerian-Senate.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Seal-Nigerian-HOR.
jpg https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRxx4QRDsAU
MDROlBdq9TROdsqHQUrBfaYV7rgnQGreq3NoHpCy http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/4e/Nigerian_Army_crest.gif https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTQQm703zR-
wYDAZ4XeZVlGqfpaNsr4K3YGC3EKCdAv5KRP1iT4 AP Comparative Government and Politics: An Essential Coursebook and
Study Guide 5th Edition by Ethel Wood