The Structure of Nigerian Government and Politics ( 1999 and 2007)
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objective of this study is basically as follows:
To assess the function and impact of the Nigerian government and politics, and how it has helped in the development of both at the federal, state and local government levels.
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
WHAT IS NIGERIA?
The name “Nigeria” was coined from “Niger Area” by Flora Shaw, who later become the wife of Lord Luggard, it means people living in Niger Area.
Nigeria is a federal republic with a presidential system. The constitution provides for a separation of powers among the three branches of government. (F.R.N. 1989).
General elections held in February 1999 marked the end of 15 years of military rule and the beginning of civilian rule based on a multiparty democracy. General elections were held for the second consecutive time in April 2003. In both elections, President Olusegun Obasanjo and his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), were victorious. Despite the consolidation of democratic rule following years of military dictatorship, some feared that in the absence of a clear successor, the incumbent president might seek to amend the constitution so that he could run for a third term in 2007.
Obasanjo was reputed to have a variety of motives for seeking a third term or at least leaving the issue open: aspirations to see his economic and political reforms through to completion, concerns about being impaired by a desire to block his rival, Vice President Atiku Abubakar, from assuming power. U.S. government officials expressed concerns about the potential destabilizing impact of such a move. In May 2006, however, the Nigerian Senate rejected a constitutional amendment that would have permitted a third term.
CONSTITUTION: Nigeria’s current constitution provides for a separation of powers among a strong executive, an elected legislature, and an independent judiciary.
BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT: Executive power is vested in the president, who is simultaneously chief of state and head of government. The president is eligible for two four-year terms. The president’s Federal Executive Council (F.E.C), or cabinet, includes representatives from all 36 states. The National Assembly, consisting of a 109-member Senate and a 360-Member House of Representatives (M.H.R), constitutes the country’s legislative branch. Three senators represent each of Nigeria’s 36 states, and one additional senator represents the capital city of Abuja. Seats in the House of Representatives are allocated according to population.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
METHODOLOGY
Methodology which is the method of arriving at reliable solution to problems through planned and systematic collection of analysis and interpretation of data.
The methods employed in the collection of information for the purpose of this research are textbook, questionnaire, oral interview.
RESEARCH DESIGN
This research design employed in conducting valid and reliable information about how organizations, institutions and countries at large and how they can cope with the law made by the Nigerian government and politicians.
POPULATION OF STUDY
The population to be considered in this case only includes those of which the research seems to revolve upon and against which only the hypothesis postulated could be tested.
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA ANALYSIS AND DATA INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
This chapter presents the analysis of the data collected for the questionnaires administered and the findings from this analysis. The researcher made use of descriptive method involving the use of table and percentages.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS
The course content of Nigerian government and politics has been thoroughly discussed.
Politics and its meaning and how it affects the running of government were thoroughly explained. From the analysis, we could see and understood the term “Government” and its organs and how they function, also the term “Politics and political science as they help in running the affair of government. Several political crises were mentioned with military intervention into Nigerian government and politics.
CONCLUSION
Having given the analysis of Nigerian Government and Politics in the area of the branches of government, constitution, electoral system, administrative divisions e.t.c. it is therefore fundamental to draw a line of conclusion by looking finally at the Nigerian Legal system.
Legal System: The law of Nigeria is based on the rule of law and the independence of the Judiciary, and also on the British common law because of the long history of British colonial influence. The legal system is therefore similar to the common law systems used in England and Wales and in other Commonwealth countries. The constitutional framework for the legal system is provided by the Constitution of Nigeria. There are however, four distinct systems of law in Nigeria: English Law, which is derived from its colonial past with Britain; Common law, (case law development since colonial independence); Customary law, which is derived from indigenous traditional norms and practices; Sharia law, used only in the predominantly Hausa and Muslim north of the country. Like the United States, there is a judicial branch with a Supreme Court which is regarded as the highest court of the land.
The general election that was held in February 1999 marked the end of 15 years of military rule and the beginning of civilian rule based on a multiparty democracy.
RECOMMENDATION
At this point, the researcher wish to strongly recommend that Nigerian constitution should be made rigid to avoid unnecessary constitutional amendment by our leaders to suit their selfish desires.
Putting into consideration that political science which is the study of politics helps to study and understand the running of government in order for the affaires of government to be appropriately carried out; I therefore recommend that the study of political science should be essentially handled so as to know more about government and how to run the political affaires of a country.
The issue of Separation of powers, check and balance should be highly given attention to, so that there will not be a misuse of governmental power by any particular organ of government.
Considering the advantages of civilian rule over the military rule, I therefore recommend that civilian rule should continue its place in Nigerian politics so as to perpetuate democratic servitude.
REFERENCES
- Government Ministries in Nigeria(2009). Commonwealth of Retrieved 2010.
- Rourke J.T. (1989), international politics on the world stages.
- Federal Republic of Nigeria.. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Lagos: Government Printer.
- History of Civil-Military Relations in Nigeria (2002): The Current Transition (continued)
- Permanent Secretaries(2004)”. Office of the Head of Service of the Federation.
- Boards Of Parastatals (2004)”. Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. http://hosf.gov.ng/civil_service/structure_2. Retrieved 2009-12.
- USAID Nigeria mission (2004): Nigeria administrative divisions”
