Nigerian Political + Linkage Institutions

Executive Branch U.S. presidential model with two- term limits (4 year terms) U.S. presidential model with two- term limits (4 year terms) Strongest branch of government Strongest branch of government

Executive II Military Rule Military Rule 7 differentmilitary rulers 7 differentmilitary rulers All promised transition to democracy All promised transition to democracy Only 2 delivered Only 2 delivered Repression and violence Repression and violence Concentrated power in the executive Concentrated power in the executive Patron-Clientelism (prebendalism) Patron-Clientelism (prebendalism) Generals/Presidents head of patron-client system Dispense government jobs and resources as rewards to supporters Cabinet positions & bureaucratic chiefs part of patronage system

Elections & Electoral Procedures Citizens vote for candidates on 3 levels: local, state, and national Citizens vote for candidates on 3 levels: local, state, and national Presidential Elections Presidential Elections If presidential candidate does not receive outright majority, a second election takes place If presidential candidate does not receive outright majority, a second election takes place President must receive at least 25% of the votes in 2/3 of the states President must receive at least 25% of the votes in 2/3 of the states A purely regional candidate cannot win A purely regional candidate cannot win Requirement reflects difficulty experienced in attempt to unify Nigeria Requirement reflects difficulty experienced in attempt to unify Nigeria Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Bureaucracy Bureaucracy bloated, corrupt, and inefficient Bureaucracy bloated, corrupt, and inefficient Bribery is common Bribery is common Jobs in civil service are often awarded through the patron-client system, Prebendalism Jobs in civil service are often awarded through the patron-client system, Prebendalism

Legislature A parliamentary system until 1979 A parliamentary system until 1979 Replaced by a bicameral legislature (Senate & House of Representatives) Replaced by a bicameral legislature (Senate & House of Representatives) Nigerian legislature has traditionally been very weak in relation to executive Nigerian legislature has traditionally been very weak in relation to executive

Legislature II Senate Senate 109 Senators 109 Senators 3 from each of the 36 states 3 from each of the 36 states 1 from Abuja district 1 from Abuja district Directly elected by popular vote Directly elected by popular vote Ethnically and religiously diverse Ethnically and religiously diverse Very little representation of women Very little representation of women House of Representatives House of Representatives 360 members Single-member districts, elected by plurality vote Very little representation of women

Judiciary Judiciary responsible for interpreting laws in accordance with the Constitution Judiciary responsible for interpreting laws in accordance with the Constitution Judicial review exists but limited by power of executive Judicial review exists but limited by power of executive State and local courts can exercise some independence State and local courts can exercise some independence Shari’a courts exist (in North) in parallel existence with courts developed on British model Shari’a courts exist (in North) in parallel existence with courts developed on British model Customary law used throughout Nigeria based on local customs Customary law used throughout Nigeria based on local customs

Military Strong policy-making force in Nigeria (as in many developing countries) Strong policy-making force in Nigeria (as in many developing countries) Military is one of the few institutions that is truly national in character Military is one of the few institutions that is truly national in character Membership cuts across social cleavages Membership cuts across social cleavages Military has restored and maintained order during ethnic strife and conflict Military has restored and maintained order during ethnic strife and conflict

Mass Media Nigeria has well-developed, independent press Nigeria has well-developed, independent press Press reflects ethnic divisions in the country Press reflects ethnic divisions in the country Outspoken and critical newspapers mainly in the south Outspoken and critical newspapers mainly in the south Radio is the main source of information for most Nigerians Radio is the main source of information for most Nigerians All 36 states have their own radio stations All 36 states have their own radio stations

Political Parties Weak party system Weak party system Main purpose to gain power Main purpose to gain power No distinct ideological differences No distinct ideological differences Formed around alliances of powerful elites Formed around alliances of powerful elites To prevent ethnic-based parties of First and Second Republics, a threshold requirement was established To prevent ethnic-based parties of First and Second Republics, a threshold requirement was established Reduced number of parties and forced existing parties to broaden their appeal Reduced number of parties and forced existing parties to broaden their appeal Led to dominance of PDP Led to dominance of PDP

Parastatals Most government agencies are parastatals – corporations owned by the state (similar to Mexico) Most government agencies are parastatals – corporations owned by the state (similar to Mexico) Board members appointed by government ministers Board members appointed by government ministers Patronage system Patronage system Parastatals provide public utilities + control major industries Parastatals provide public utilities + control major industries

State Corporatism Corporatism – political system that allows for political input from selected interest groups outside the government structure Corporatism – political system that allows for political input from selected interest groups outside the government structure In Nigeria, this input is provided by parastatals In Nigeria, this input is provided by parastatals Because they are controlled by the government, it is referred to as State Corporatism Because they are controlled by the government, it is referred to as State Corporatism