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Nigeria in Review

Nigeria in Review. Advanced Placement Comparative Government. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power. Constitutionalism 8 constitutions since 1914. Most recent: 1999 None have lasted- Difficult for Nigeria to accept a constitution as a guiding set of principles.

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Nigeria in Review

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  1. Nigeria in Review Advanced Placement Comparative Government

  2. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Constitutionalism • 8 constitutions since 1914. • Most recent: 1999 • None have lasted- Difficult for Nigeria to accept a constitution as a guiding set of principles.

  3. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Legitimacy • Pre-colonial Era (800-1860) Kingdoms: Trade connections, Islam, kinship-based politics, complex political identities, democratic impulses • Colonial Era 91860-1960) Authoritarian rule (British and Portuguese), interventionist state, individualism, Christianity, intensification of ethnic politics • Since Independence (1660 to present) Parliamentary-style government replaced a presidential system, intensification of ethnic conflict, military rule, personalized rule/corruption, federalism, and economic dependence on oil.

  4. Sovereignty, Authority, and Power Political Culture • Patron-clientelism (prebendalism) • State control/rich civil society (ethnic/religious) • Tension between modernity and tradition • Religious conflict (sharia) • Geographic influences: Northwest-Huasa-Fulani-Muslim Northeast-Kanuri-Muslim Middle belt-mix of Christians and Muslims Southwest-Yourba-Christian and Muslim Southeast-Igbo-Catholic/Christian Southern Zone-small minority groups

  5. Political and Economic Change • Pre-colonial- Change occurred through cultural diffusion. North traded with Muslims, south with sea traders on the Atlantic. • Colonial- Indirect rule. Democracy vs. subjugation. Influence from the west. • Modern- Military rule to democracy

  6. Citizens, Society, and the State Challenges • Poverty • Gini Index: .48 High • Health issues: HIV/AIDS • Literacy: 75% male 60% female Cleavages: Extremely fragmented • Ethnicity • Religion • Region/north vs. south • Urban/rural differences • Social class

  7. Citizens, Society, and the State Public Opinion and political Participation • Patron-cleintelism: (prebendalism) Extremely personalized system of rule. Corruption. • Civil Society: 1999, many groups have sought to influence political decisions. Trade unions are very active. • Voting Behavior: Tradition since 1959, elections seen as corrupt. • Protests/Social movements: Ethnic based and religious movements have increased since 1999.

  8. Political Institutions Regime type: Federalist and Democratic Linkage institutions • Political Parties: Regionally and Ethnically based. PDP: Christian Olusegun Obasanjo and Umaru Yar’Adua (Muslim)- widespread corruption. Moderates. ANPP: Muslim General Muhammed Buhari. Conservatives. AC: Muslim Atiku Abubakar. Liberal.

  9. Political Institutions National Elections: • Presidential Elections: Must receive the majority or a 2nd ballot election may take place. Must also receive 25% of all votes cast in 2/3 of the states. • Legislative Seats: 109 Senators, 3 from each of the 36 states and one from the capitol, Abuja are directly elected. 539 representatives are elected from single-member districts by plurality vote. Election Fraud: Rampant in Nigeria. 2007 election resulted in 200 deaths.

  10. Political Institutions Interest Groups: Play an important role, hampered by pre-bendalism. Labor unions established through corporatism. (Nigeria Labor Congress) Business interests share the spoils of corruption. Mass Media: Well developed, independent press. (South more vocal) Radio is the main source of communication.

  11. Political Institutions Federal Political system/Presidential system The Executive: • Civilian rule since 1999- The bureaucracy: British legacy. Many government agencies are para-statals. Para-statals create state corportatism because para-statals provide input to the government on policy issues and serve as contact points between government and business.

  12. Political Institutions The Legislature • The National Assembly- Senate: 109 members, equal representation The House of Representatives: 360 members, many ethnicities and only 23 were women. The Judiciary • Combined British common law with traditional law. • Today: Judicial Review • Much like the US court system • Sharia courts. The Military • Strong force behind policymaking • Lost legitimacy as a governing body/internal discord

  13. Public Policy • Military rule resulted in top-down policy-making process. • Power concentrated in the presidency • Input from patron-cleintelism Economic Issues • Oil: How to use the revenue equitably • Rents/rentseeking behavior • Structural Adjustment (1980s)

  14. Public Policy • The question of Federalism: Does Nigeria have enough in common to remain together as a country? Democratization • Some checks and balances between government branches • Some independent decisions in the courts • Revival of Civil Society • Independent Media • A peaceful succession to power • Improving Freedom House Scores ( 2007: 4)

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