When we think about structure in the political context, our minds instantly veer to political parties and the grassroots network they possess.
However, Nigeria itself is founded on structures that enable it to function. For instance, Nigeria became an independent country in 1960, but only a few people are aware that Nigeria became a republic in 1963. What does it mean to be a republic, and what structure is the Nigerian government built on?
Nigeria as a federal republic
[FCT/ The Guardian Nigeria]
Officially, Nigeria is known as the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But what does this mean? The term “federal republic” consists of two words. “Federal” refers to a federation of states. Nigeria has 36 of those and its federal capital territory (FCT).
A republic is a system of government where people choose representatives through elections to represent them in the public interest. However, a republic isn’t necessarily the same as a democracy, despite their similarities. One key difference is that democracy is a government of the majority, meaning it can impose its will on the minority.
A republic, however, allows for inalienable rights for everyone regardless of whether they belong to the majority or minority. In Nigeria, these rights are protected by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, enacted on May 29, 1999 — the beginning of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. Nigeria is both a republic and a democracy.
ALSO READ: What Are the Rights of a Nigerian Citizen?
Arms of the Nigerian government
The executive
[President Muhammadu Buhari / ThisDay]
The Nigerian government operates on the doctrine of separation of powers. It has three arms. The executive arm is responsible for managing the country daily. The president leads the executive and is advised by the federal executive council (FEC). Mr President also chairs the FEC. But the president alone can’t be everywhere, which is where ministers come in. The president picks the ministerial cabinet that reports directly to the president and oversees anything from agriculture to sports.
There’s also the Nigerian Civil Service comprised of employees in government agencies other than the military and the police. The president holds the title of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR), and all military parastatals are under his command.
The president appoints the Inspector General (IG) of the Nigerian Police. Other commissions like the Nigerian Population Commission, Federal Civil Service Commission and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, among others, report to the president. These departments assist the executive in running the country.
The legislative
[The Nigerian Senate / Premium Times]
From the explanation so far, the president is very powerful. However, all power doesn’t belong to the President, fortunately. The legislative arm of government is the one in charge of making laws.
The Nigerian legislature is known as a bicameral legislature. That is, it’s divided into two separate chambers: the Senate (the upper chamber) and the House of Representatives (HOR) (the lower chamber). Together, they’re known as the National Assembly.
The National Assembly consists of 109 Senate members—three from each of the 36 states and one from the FCT. The HOR has 360 members, and they’re cut unevenly across federal constituencies. Lagos and Kano have the most, with 24 each, while the FCT has the least—two.
Their function includes scrutinising bills before the floors of the National Assembly. Before a bill can be made into law, the two houses must agree on it in their respective readings. The president also has to assent to it. However, the president can refuse to sign or override the bill. This is known as a veto. The National Assembly can overrule the veto in both chambers if they can get a two-thirds majority.
Beyond making laws, the legislative has special powers. The Senate, for instance, can impeach judges and officials in the executive. In the event of gross misconduct by the president, they can move a motion for impeachment. While this helps them check the president’s powers, the process, in reality, could be more rigorous and unlikely to happen.
The judiciary
[Supreme Court in session / Peoples Gazette]
If the function of the executive is to put laws into action and that of the legislative is to make laws, the judiciary’s work is to interpret them. The highest court of the land in Nigeria is the Supreme Court. It derives its powers from the Constitution and the Supreme Court Act. While there are other courts of jurisdiction like the appeal court, high courts and so on, decisions rendered by the Supreme Court are binding on everyone and final.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) leads the Supreme Court. The president appoints them on the recommendation of the national judicial council and following confirmation by the Senate. Associate justices support the CJN, and there can be at most 21 justices. Currently, the Supreme Court has 13 members.
Altogether, these three arms are the structure upon which the Nigerian government is built. Ultimately, a functional democracy is one where these arms act as checks on each other while performing their primary responsibilities.
