Chapter Eighteen Politics in Nigeria

Learning Objectives 18.1 Discuss the challenges faced by Nigeria as a new democracy. 18.2 Describe the fragmentary nature of Nigeria’s political structure in precolonial and colonial times. 18.3 Discuss the contribution of colonial, environmental, and global factors to current conditions in Nigeria. 18.4 List the types of subcultures that exist in Nigeria, and discuss how they affect the political culture. 18.5 List four agents of political socialization. 18.6 Describe and compare the military and educational routes to political positions in Nigeria. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives 18.7 Explain the evolution of Nigeria’s political structure and discuss national versus federal powers. 18.8 List five forms of interest articulation and contrast their strength in the north and south of Nigeria. 18.9 Describe the major parties and their bases of support, and discuss the checkered history of elections. 18.10 Discuss how factors such as oil and ethnic diversity impact economic performance 18.11 Describe the source and forms of Nigeria’s influence in the region and the world. © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Country Bio: Nigeria © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Politics in Nigeria Nigeria = mega-state in African context Major Country Over 1/5th of the people in Africa World’s largest black population Petroleum Standing military force of substance Over 100 universities © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Current Policy Challenges Nigeria – question of future of country Ethnic, regional, religious divisions intensifying 1999: Nigeria returned to civilian rule Wealthy country, fails to provide basic needs: education, potable water, reliable transportation, communications Ranked one of poorest, most corrupt nations © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Effects of History Enduring Effects of Precolonial Events Early empires of Nigeria: complex political systems Colonial Interlude (1900-1960) Conference of Berlin 1884: divided Africa Nigeria brought together as single entity 1914 Unifying action largely symbolic Southern and Northern conflict Modern constitutional development 1922 Created federal system 1954 with 3 regions Became self-governing 1957-59 © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Effects of History Nigerian Independence October 1, 1960 Conflict tore apart ruling coalition in Western Region National census 1965: law and order broke down in Western Region over election-related fraud, violence Military ended First Republic in January 1966 coup © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Environmental Potential and Limitations Conditions Affecting Agricultural production and the Sale of Primary Commodities British developed Nigerian economy to be compatible with them South – cocoa, palm oil, timber, rubber North – cattle, hides, cotton, peanuts Had to diversify economy Disease: malaria is debilitating, river-borne diseases, HIV Population Growth: almost half of population age 15 or less © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Environmental Potential and Limitations Urbanization: rapidly urbanizing, strain on infrastructure, less agricultural labor Petroleum: accounts for 90% of exports Geographic Distribution of Natural Resources Political Effects: oil concentrated in Niger Delta, locals protest sharing wealth The International Environment: third world experience, high debt © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Culture and Subcultures Ethnic identity: absence of reliable census data Hausa-Fulani: mostly northern half of Nigeria Igbo (Ilbo): southeastern, responsive to western culture Yoruba: Lagos, Oba, lineage chiefs and British Religion Christianity, Islam, traditional institutions © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Culture and Subculture The Evolution of Nigerian Nationalism: 3 major sources Freed slaves, others of African descent from Caribbean Nigerians who fought for British in WWII Nigerians who studied in UK, US Democratic Norms and Values: little tolerance for opposition, support for democracy high The Political Role of Women: position of women varies immensely Political Corruption: pervasive © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Socialization The family Polygamy Kinship, sense of identity Schools: viewed as important, expected from government The Mass Media: independent press, radio, TV The State © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Recruitment Northerners dominated leadership of country under military, civilian rule Military power Role of Nigerian universities Civil service No recruitment of strangers Federal character of appointments of military personnel Ethnic politics still dominate © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Structure The Development of the Constitution of 1999 Election of 1993 Succession of military regimes Federalism: established 1954 Self-governing: Eastern, Western, North All levels derive funds from national oil monopoly, money distributed by national government © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Structure Parliamentary versus Presidential Government Pluralism, lack of trust by subcultures No institutional structure can overcome roadblock Judiciary Federal, state courts integrated into single system of trial, appeals courts Independent judiciary survived throughout military regimes Traditional authorities maintain greatest influence in judicial role © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Interest Articulation Ethnic and Religious Associations Associational Groups Trade unions Professional organizations Civil society groups Nonassociational groups Kaduna Mafia Patron-Client Networks Clientelism © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Political Participation Great range in activity Voting: 52% 1999, 69% 2003 Violence, political party thugs Rise in honest, responsive institutions © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Parties and Elections National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCGC): nationalist party 1944 Regional Parties: Northern People’s Congress (NPC) All People’s Party (APP) Alliance for Democracy (AD) 1993: party activities banned, except 5 artificially created parties 1998, 1999 elections: parties required to show nationwide organization Ethnic Solidarity and Party Loyalty: drives political organizing © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Policy Formation and Implementation Extractive Performance Fiscal system Revenues from oil Distributive Performance Potential to be rich, but remains poor Education Dealing with Debt and Structural Adjustment Regulative performance The Census issue Conclusions on Performance Curse of oil © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

© 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Nigeria in Africa and in the World Has population, resources to be regional power, substantial military power Economic Community of West African States Free trade zones Critic of international organizations’ monetary policy: World Bank, IMF France: closer economic ties US, Britain: condemnation of military rulers © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Prospects for Development Political, economic setbacks Few have gotten rich, too many poor Oil wealth exacerbates problem because money accrues to national government Emergence of vigorous private sector Environmental destruction of oil Regions unharmonious © 2014 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.