Nigeria is a federal republic modeled after the United States, with executive
power exercised by the president. The government of Nigeria is also influenced
by the Westminster System model in the composition and management of the upper
and lower houses of a bicameral legislature. The president, however, is
the head of state, the head of government, and the head of a
multi-party system. Nigerian politics takes place within a framework of a
federal, presidential, representative democratic republic, in which executive
power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is held by the
government and the two chambers of the legislature: the House of
Representatives and the Senate. Together, the two chambers make up the
law-making body in Nigeria, called the National Assembly, which serves as a
check on the executive arm of government. The highest judiciary arm of
government in Nigeria is the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Nigeria also practices
Baron de Montesquieu's theory of the separation of powers based on the United
States system. Legal system
The law of Nigeria is based on the rule of law, the independence of the
judiciary, and British common law. The common law in the legal system is
similar to common-law systems used in England and Wales and other Commonwealth
countries. The constitutional framework for the legal system is provided by the
Constitution of Nigeria. English Law, which is derived from its
colonial past with Britain; Common law,;
Customary law, which is derived from indigenous traditional norms and
practices; Sharia law, used in the northern part of
the country. Like the United States, there is a
judicial branch, with the Supreme Court regarded as the highest court of the
land. Executive branch
The president is elected through universal suffrage. He or she is both
the chief of state and head of government, heading the Federal
Executive Council, or cabinet. The executive branch is divided into
Federal Ministries, each headed by a minister appointed by the president. The
president must include at least one member from each of the 36 states in his
cabinet. The President's appointments are confirmed by the Senate of Nigeria.
In some cases, a federal minister is responsible for more than one ministry,
or a minister may be assisted by one or more ministers of State. Each ministry
also has a Permanent Secretary, who is a senior civil servant.
The ministries are responsible for various parastatals, such as
universities, the National Broadcasting Commission, and the Nigerian National
Petroleum Corporation. However, some parastatals are the responsibility of
the Office of the Presidency, such as the Independent National Electoral
Commission, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Federal Civil
Service Commission. Legislative branch
The National Assembly of Nigeria has two chambers: the House of Representatives
and the Senate. The House of Representatives is presided over by the
Speaker of the House of Representatives. It has 360 members, who are elected for
four-year terms in single-seat constituencies. The Senate, which has
109 members, is presided over by the President of the Senate. 108 members are
elected for four-year terms in 36 three-seat constituencies, which
correspond to the country's 36 states. One member is selected in the
single-seat constituency of the federal capital.
Judicial branch The judicial branch consists of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria, the Court of Appeals, the High Courts, and other
trial courts such as the Magistrates', Customary, Sharia and other specialised
courts. The National Judicial Council serves as an independent executive body,
insulating the judiciary from the executive arm of government. The Supreme
Court is presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and thirteen
associate justices, who are appointed by the President of Nigeria on the
recommendation of the National Judicial Council. These justices are subject to
confirmation by the Senate. Political parties and elections
2011 General Election National Assembly:
Peoples Democratic Party 202 Action Congress of Nigeria 66 Congress for
Progressive Change 35 All Nigeria People's Party 25 Labour Party 8 All
Progressives Grand Alliance 6 Accord Party 5 Democratic People's Party 2
People's Party of Nigeria 2 Peoples Democratic Party 1
Administrative divisions Nigeria is divided into 36 states and 1
territory*. They are: Federal Capital Territory*, Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom,
Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti,
Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos,
Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe,
and Zamfara Each state is further divided into Local
Government Areas. There are 774 LGAs in Nigeria. Kano State has the largest
number of LGAs at 44, and Bayelsa State has the fewest at 9. The Federal Capital
Territory of Abuja has 6 LGAs. LGAs replaced the Districts that were the
previous third-tier administrative unit under the British government.
Military The military of Nigeria has played a
major role in the country's history, often seizing control of the country and
ruling it for long periods of time. Its last period of rule ended in 1999,
following the death of the leader of the previous military junta Sani Abacha in
1998. Active duty personnel in the three
Nigerian armed services totals approximately 76,000. The Nigerian Army,
the largest of the services, has about 60,000 personnel, deployed between two
mechanized infantry divisions, one composite division, the Lagos Garrison
Command, and the Abuja-based Brigade of Guards. The Nigerian Navy is equipped
with frigates, fast attack craft, convettes, and coastal patrol boats. The
Nigerian Air Force flies transports, trainers, helicopters, and fighter
aircraft; however, most of their vehicles are currently not operational.
Foreign relations Nigeria currently has better foreign
relations with its neighbors, due to its current state of democracy. It is a
member of the African Union and sits on that organization's Peace and Security
Council. In 1960, Nigeria joined both the United Nations and the Commonwealth
of Nations; however, they were briefly suspended between 1995 and 1999.
See also Senate of Nigeria
National Assembly of Nigeria List of Nigerian state governors
List of state governors of Nigeria Nigerian Civil Service
List of Nigerian states Nigerian Prisons Services
Chief Justice of Nigeria References
External links Latest Political News in Nigeria