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POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA Suraj Minisandram Connor Kirby Jessica Stickel
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Political InstiTUTIONS IN NIGERIA

Feb 22, 2016

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Suraj Minisandram Connor Kirby Jessica Stickel . Political InstiTUTIONS IN NIGERIA. BACKground. In theory–federal political system Government organizations on local , state and national level Constitutions—three branches of government - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Page 1: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

POLITICAL INSTITUTIONS

IN NIGERIASuraj Minisandram

Connor KirbyJessica Stickel

Page 2: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 3: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

Changes in Nigeria’s Executive Branch1979 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

Military Influences from

Page 4: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 5: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 6: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 7: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 8: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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)

Page 9: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 10: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 11: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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.

Page 12: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 13: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 14: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 15: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 16: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 17: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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

Page 18: Political  InstiTUTIONS  IN  NIGERIA

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