NigeriaSovereignty, Authority, Power

By: Sabrina Flowers and Olivia HuffBlock: 1A

Overview

• Has been an independent nation since 1960• No one agrees on how the nation should be run• This dilemma is know as the “national

question” which means how the the country should be governed

• This issue is magnified by regional disagreements and hostilities and the tendency to solve problems by military force

Constitutionalism• The first constitution was written in 1914 but 8 more constitutions have been written since then• All the constitutions have not lasted for a long time• From Nigeria’s failing constitutions,

constitutionalism has taken place– The acceptance of a constitution as a guiding set of

principles • Military and civilian leaders alike have felt free to

disobey and suspend constitutional principles

Legitimacy

• The “national question” is at the heart of the country’s legitimacy problems

• Legitimacy of the Nigerian government is very low, with many citizens having little or no trust in their leaders

• Corruption has tainted civilian rule making Nigerians skeptical about their government

• Sharia is an important source of legitimacy in the south with state officials encouraging education and recycling

Political Traditions

• Pre-Colonial Era (800-1860)– The Niger River and access to the ocean allowed contact and trade

with other civilizations– Trade with the north put groups in contact with Arabic education and

Islam which replaced traditional customs and religion

• Colonia Era (1860-1960)• The British were ruling• British planted influences that worked against the

democratic patterns set in place in Nigeria during the pre-colonial period-Authoritarian rule, Christianity, Individualism

Political Traditions… Continue

• The Era since Independence – Parliamentary-style government replaced by a

presidential system– Intensification of ethnic conflict between the

ethnic group Hausa-Fulani and the Igbo– A federalist system was created with some powers

delegated to state and local governments – Nigeria’s economic survival is based almost

exclusively on oil

Political Culture

• Political culture refers to the collection of political beliefs, values, practices, and institutions that the government is based on

• Political culture in Nigeria has been shaped by ethnic diversity and conflict, corruption, and a politically active military

Political Culture….Continue

• Characteristics – patron-clientelism is seen in Nigeria To break it down, the

patron, who is the political leader, builds loyalty among his clients through the exchange of political or economic favors

– civil society has remained alive and somewhat independent, shaped by ethnic and religious associations, professional and labor groups, and other NGOs

– Islam was the original religion in Nigeria, but Christianity arrived much later and spread rapidly• The two religions have intensified ethnic conflicts and even led to

political conflict, because the Muslims support sharia, however the Christians disagree.

Geographic Influences

• Nigeria is located in West Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Guinea

• population of approximately 140 million • Nigeria’s ethic groups are divided into six

geographic zones: Northwest, Northeast, Middle Belt, Southwest, Southeast, Southern zone

Geographic influences…continue• 1. The Northwest: This area is dominated by the Hausa-Fulani

people, two ethnic groups that combined over time, and is primarily Muslim.

• 2. The Northeast: This area contains many smaller groups, such as the Kanuri. It is also predominately Muslim.

• 3. The Middle Belt: This area is characterized by its mix of Muslims and Christians, and has many smaller ethnic groups.

• 4. The Southwest: This geographic zone is dominated by a large ethnic group called Yoruba. The Yoruba are 40% Muslim, 40% Christian, and about 20% devoted to native religions.

• 5. The Southeast: The Igbo live in this area. The Igbo are primarily Roman Catholic, but are increasing in Protestant Christians.

• 6. The Southern Zone: The delta of the Nile River runs through this area, and the people here belong to many small minority groups.