Politics of Nigeria
[1] One of the primary functions of the constitution is that it provides for separation and balance of powers among the three branches and aims to prevent the repetition of past mistakes made by the government.Other functions of the constitution include a division of power between the federal government and the states, and protection of various individual liberties of the nation's citizens.[2][3][4] Nigerian politics takes place within a framework of a federal and presidential republic and a representative democracy, in which the president holds executive power.Together, the two chambers form the law-making body in Nigeria,[6] called the National Assembly, which serves as a check on the executive arm of government.Sections 47–49 of the 1999 Constitution state, among other things, that "There shall be a National Assembly (NASS) for the federation which shall consist of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives.[13] The major influences on Nigeria's legal system are: The two fundamental sources of Nigerian law through legislation are:[20] (1) Acts of British parliament, popularly referred to as statutes of general application during the period before independence.[22][27] The president is elected through universal suffrage which is regarded as more than a privilege extended by the state to its citizenry, and it is rather thought of as an inalienable right that inheres to every adult citizen by virtue of citizenship.[49] After achieving its independence and republican status in 1960 (becoming the fourth largest democratic country in the world) and 1963 respectively, Nigeria experienced its first military coup in 1966 followed by a civil war which lasted until 1970.Though this certain period of democratic ideal did not last very long and was soon over in 1983 as a result of some military rulers who came into power via coup d'état promised to return the country to democracy.[68] Elites in Nigeria have been found to have more power and influence than average citizens, and as a consequence of this, there has been a great deal of corruption in Nigerian politics and general life.[68] Furthermore, Nigeria has seen a heightened use of media within the realm of political issues, particularly with the recent [Special Anti-Robbery Squad] SARS protest, indicating a sense of freedom for the public to voice their opinions to the government and the world.[71] The electoral process and related laws are thought to be enacted in a mostly fair fashion, but there have been instances of intentionally complicating voting and effecting turnout.[71] In Nigeria, all ethnic groups and religious backgrounds have an equal opportunity to participate in politics, however, there is a lack of women elected into the government, and same-sex relationships were criminalized in 2014.[71] Journalism and the media in Nigeria are somewhat free, they are allowed to function independently from the government, but oftentimes those who criticize public figures or offices are arrested or censored.[71] The judiciary was rated as moderately free from the government, and lacking in due process in trials and equal treatment of all members of society.[71] People in Nigeria do not have great freedom of movement, and are often subjected to curfews set by the federal government in areas that are at a risk of violence or instability.[71] There is a lack of protection for women in regards to rights to abortion, rape, and domestic abuse under the Nigerian federal government.[71] Lastly, there is a pervasive human-trafficking problem in Nigeria and frequent exploitation of citizens that the federal government has done a poor job to prevent.[72] There are a great number of parties as a direct result of corruption and chaos that has ensued in Nigeria surrounding the federal government and elections for years.[72] Parties allow for political competition to take place, for the citizenry to find people who represent their ideas and interests in government, and for the introduction of new leaders and perspectives into Nigerian life.[74] This election was reportedly marred by ballot-rigging, underage voting, violence, intimidation, and an overall absence of clarity and accuracy from the National Electoral Commission.[76] Religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in Nigeria has often been used by politicians and other powerful people to incite violence and create fear and chaos among Nigerians.[76] There have been multiple attempts by Nigerian Muslims to add Sharia concepts to the Constitution which has alarmed the Christian population within the nation.[78] Many world powers including the United States have contributed military resources to help fight against Boko Haram because Nigeria's oil industry is crucial to the international economy.[12] The Secretariat's involvement both in governmental and financial affairs created a better system for the transaction of goods and services in Nigeria with less risk of corruption.[12] Nigeria is made up of 36 states and 1 capital territory: the 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 state.[85] Former President Buhari passed numerous lockdowns, mask mandates, and travel bans to decrease the number of cases in the country.[85] However, the lockdowns, mandates, and travel restrictions have led to negative economic effects for a great number of citizens who have lost their jobs and source of income.[85] In response to this, the federal government passed economic stimulus packages to promote important production sectors such as agriculture and oil.[34] Nigeria's relationships with both its continental neighbors in Africa and throughout the world have improved a great deal since it has transitioned from military rule to a democratic state.
Coat of arms of NigeriaConstitution of NigeriaNational AssemblyNational Assembly ComplexPresident of NigeriaAso Rock Presidential VillaCabinetSupreme CourtConstitutionHuman rightsPresidentBola TinubuVice PresidentKashim ShettimaFederal ParastatalsLegislatureNational Assembly of NigeriaSenateGodswill AkpabioDeputy PresidentBarau Jibrin(List of members of the Senate)House of RepresentativesSpeakerTajudeen AbbasBenjamin KaluList of members of the HouseAdamawaAkwa IbomAnambraBauchiBayelsaCross RiverEbonyiJigawaKadunaKatsinaNasarawaPlateauRiversSokotoTarabaZamfaraSubdivisionsStatesState governorsLocal Government AreasElectionsPolitical partiesElectoral CommissionForeign relationsMinisterYusuf TuggarDiplomatic missions ofin NigeriaNationality lawPassportVisa requirementsVisa policythe executivelegislativejudicialConstitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeriagovernmentcitizensfederalpresidentialrepublicrepresentative democracyLegislative powerEconomist Intelligence UnitBritish CommonwealthNigeriarule of lawjudiciaryBritish common lawthe long history of British colonial influenceEngland and WalesCommonwealth countriesEnglish lawcolonialCommon lawCustomary lawShariaSharia lawṣalāt(zakāt)independenceArmed Forces of Nigeriauniversal suffragecommander-in-chiefelected in 2023Federal MinistriesFederal CabinetSenate of Nigeriapermanent secretaryparastatalsuniversitiesNigerian National Petroleum CorporationIndependent National Electoral CommissionEconomic and Financial Crimes CommissionFederal Civil Service Commissionchambersspeaker of the House of Representativesconstituenciespresident of the Senatefederal capitalAhmed Ibrahim LawanFemi GbajabiamilaSupreme Court of NigeriaCourt of Appealshigh courtstrial courtsmagistratescustomaryNational Judicial Councilarm of governmentchief justice of NigeriaOlukayode AriwoolaJustices of the Supreme Court of NigeriaChief JusticeKudirat Kekere-EkunJohn Inyang OkoroUwani Musa Abba Ajihuman rights violationsdemocracy