Nigeria has a dynamic and complex political system impacted by colonial history, ethnic diversity, and current socioeconomic issues. It is a federal republic with an elected president, a legislature with two chambers, and an independent judiciary. This type of government structure allows the country to function. The country consists of over 250 ethnic groups with unique languages, customs, and religious practices, and its diversity is managed by the federal system. Because of this diversity, there is a need for a political structure that can balance national unity with the needs of many regions.
The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and 36 states comprise the country federation. Every state has a separate government, modelled after the federal government, consisting of an executive branch led by a governor, a legislature, and a court. The president has two responsibilities, head of state and head of government and is at the highest level of the nation’s administrative structure. A democratic procedure is used to elect the president, who serves a four-year term and is eligible for re-election. The president has broad authority, including the ability to reject legislation, issue executive orders, and name important individuals such as ministers, judges, and leaders of other government agencies. The country’s president is a major figure in determining foreign policy and leading the military forces as commander in chief.
National Assembly forms laws and oversees the executive branch.
However, the National Assembly, a dual chamber comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, is the legislative branch of the country’s government. The Senate comprises 108 senators, three for each of the 36 states and one for the Federal Capital Territory. In contrast, the House of Representatives is made up of 360 members who are chosen by their respective states. The National Assembly’s main duty is to create laws, but it also has a lot of authority to check the executive branch, including impeaching the president and other senior officials, approving budgets and overseeing executive actions.
Similarly, judicial independence is fundamental to the nation’s administrative structure. The Judiciary defends the rights of citizens and upholds the Constitution by interpreting the law and ensuring it is applied equitably. The Supreme Court is at the head of the judicial structure, followed by the Federal High Courts, State High Courts, and the Court of Appeal. Judges are meant to function independently of Politics and are chosen based on their experience and legal knowledge; nevertheless, civic pressures and Corruption can occasionally undermine judicial independence.
Corruption in various sectors undermines the country’s political system.
In a nation, governmental parties are essential to democracy. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the two main parties in the multiparty system. These parties compete for power in both state and federal governments. Political campaigns are frequently vibrant in the country, but problems like vote-buying, election violence, and other irregularities can also taint them. Notwithstanding these difficulties, elections are regularly held and essential to the country’s politics because they allow the people to select and hold accountable their leaders.
Furthermore, the nation’s federal character principle, which aims to provide a fair representation of the many groups in governmental institutions, also impacts the administrative landscape in the nation. This principle, which aims to encourage national unity and prevent domination by any one group, requires that appointments and government positions reflect the federal nature of the nation. The usefulness of this strategy in developing genuine national integration is still up for question, and it has also given rise to arguments between meritocracy and regional representation. Problems like corruption, which encompasses every aspect of public life, further affect the country’s political system.
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Lastly, corruption has severely limited development and dissatisfied the population with the government system. With differing degrees of success, efforts to fight corruption have been a component of the governmental agenda for various regimes. Acknowledging the vital role of Civil Society and the media in comprehending the country’s administrative system is imperative. Civil society organisations (CSOs) in the country actively advance transparency, good governance, and human rights. Despite challenges like harassment and restriction, the media is essential to diplomatic discourse, offering data and a forum for public discussion.