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