Government And Politics

• Konnect
• 5 Min Read
• 220 Views

Political Structure/Hierarchy Of The Nigerian Government

Nigeria operates a federal system of government, meaning power is shared between the central government and the 36 states. The country follows a presidential system, where the President is both the Head of State and Head of Government. This system is modeled after the United States, with a clear separation of powers among the three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary.

Understanding Nigeria's political structure is crucial for grasping how governance works, the roles of different political offices, and the hierarchy that dictates the flow of authority.

1. The Three Arms of Government in Nigeria

A. The Executive Arm

The Executive arm of government is responsible for implementing laws, formulating policies, and administering public affairs. It operates at three levels:

• Federal Executive (Central Government)

• State Executive (Governors and their cabinets)

• Local Government Executive (Chairmen of Local Government Areas – LGAs)

(i) The Federal Executive (Presidency)

The President of Nigeria is the highest-ranking political leader and is elected every four years through a general election. The President:

• Serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

• Appoints ministers, ambassadors, and heads of government agencies.

• Has the power to sign bills into law or veto them.

• Represents Nigeria in foreign affairs.

Key Offices Under the Presidency:

• Vice President: The second-in-command who assists the President and takes over in the event of the President’s incapacity or removal.

• The Federal Executive Council (FEC): Comprising Ministers appointed by the President to oversee various ministries.

• Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF): Coordinates government policies and administration.

• National Security Adviser (NSA): Oversees national security matters.

(ii) The State Executive (Governors and Their Cabinets)

Each of Nigeria's 36 states is led by an elected Governor, who functions similarly to the President but at the state level. The Governor:

• Oversees the executive functions of the state.

• Appoints commissioners to head ministries at the state level.

• Works with the State House of Assembly to pass laws.

• Controls state finances and security.

Each state also has a Deputy Governor, Commissioners, and Special Advisers, forming the State Executive Council.

(iii) The Local Government Executive (Chairmen and Councillors)

At the grassroots level, Nigeria has 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), each led by an elected Local Government Chairman and assisted by Councillors. The local government is responsible for:

• Primary healthcare and education.

• Rural development and infrastructure.

• Collection of certain taxes and levies.

B. The Legislative Arm (Law-Making Body)

The Legislative arm is responsible for making laws, approving budgets, and checking the activities of the executive. It operates at three levels:

1. Federal Legislature (National Assembly – NASS)

2. State Legislature (State House of Assembly)

3. Local Legislature (Legislative Council at the LGA level)

(i) The National Assembly (Federal Legislature)

Nigeria’s federal legislature is called the National Assembly (NASS) and is made up of two chambers:

• The Senate (Upper Chamber) – 109 Senators (3 per state and 1 from the FCT).

• The House of Representatives (Lower Chamber) – 360 members elected from constituencies across the country.

Roles of the National Assembly:

• Making and amending laws.

• Approving the national budget.

• Overseeing the executive to prevent abuse of power.

• Approving ministerial and other key appointments.

The Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives lead their respective chambers and are highly influential in Nigerian politics.

(ii) State House of Assembly (State Legislature)

Each of the 36 states has its own legislature, known as the State House of Assembly, comprising elected members. Their primary function is to:

• Make state laws.

• Approve state budgets.

• Monitor the activities of the Governor.

The Speaker leads the State House of Assembly.

(iii) Local Government Legislative Council

At the Local Government level, each LGA has a Legislative Council made up of elected councillors. They make bye-laws affecting the local community and oversee the Chairman’s activities.

C. The Judiciary (Interpreting the Law)

The Judiciary is the legal arm of government responsible for interpreting and enforcing laws. It operates independently to ensure fairness and justice. The Judiciary is structured into different levels:

(i) Supreme Court (Apex Court of the Land)

• The highest court in Nigeria.

• Handles constitutional matters, presidential election petitions, and final appeals.

• Led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

(ii) Court of Appeal

• Hears appeals from lower courts.

• Has divisions across Nigeria.

(iii) Federal High Court & State High Court

• Federal High Court deals with federal laws, tax matters, and corporate issues.

• State High Court handles civil and criminal cases at the state level.

(iv) Other Courts:

• National Industrial Court (for labor disputes).

• Sharia Courts (in Northern states) for Islamic law cases.

Customary Courts for traditional law matters.

Magistrate & District Courts for minor offenses.

2. Nigeria’s Political Administrative Structure

Nigeria is divided into different administrative and political units:

• Federal Capital Territory (FCT, Abuja) – The nation's capital.

• 36 States – Each led by a Governor.

• 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) – Each led by a Chairman.

• Political Wards – Smallest political unit, represented by councillors.

3. Nigeria’s Political Party System

Nigeria operates a multiparty democracy, meaning multiple political parties compete for power. However, the country has been dominated by two major parties:

• The All Progressives Congress (APC) – The ruling party as of 2024.

• The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – The main opposition party.

Other notable parties include the Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Parties participate in elections at the Presidential, Gubernatorial, National Assembly, and Local Government levels.

4. The Electoral System in Nigeria

Elections in Nigeria are conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Key elections include:

1. Presidential Elections (every 4 years).

2. Gubernatorial Elections (every 4 years).

3. National Assembly Elections (Senate & House of Reps).

4. Local Government Elections (conducted by State Electoral Commissions).

Nigeria uses the simple majority system for most elections, except for the Presidency, which requires a candidate to win at least 25% of votes in two-thirds of the 36 states to be declared the winner.

Conclusion

The Nigerian political structure is designed to ensure governance at all levels, from the Presidency down to the local government. The Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary operate with a system of checks and balances to prevent abuse of power. However, challenges such as corruption, electoral malpractice, and political instability continue to affect governance.

Understanding this hierarchy helps citizens engage better in political processes, hold leaders accountable, and contribute to national development.