Description of the Regime
UNITARY VS. FEDERALISM
Nigeria is highly federalist. It has two tiers of government-- state and local-- below the federal level. Prior to 1988, the functions of the government at the local level were controlled by the state government. In 1988, the federal government decided to fund local government organizations directly and allowed them to function effectively as local governments and the governmental system has been as such ever since. Nigeria is essentially a typical example of a federalist state as it follows the four principles of federalism: constitutional division of authority, uniformity of powers, regionally elected officials, and the basing of the upper house of the central legislature on representation of regional jurisdictions.
Nigeria is highly federalist. It has two tiers of government-- state and local-- below the federal level. Prior to 1988, the functions of the government at the local level were controlled by the state government. In 1988, the federal government decided to fund local government organizations directly and allowed them to function effectively as local governments and the governmental system has been as such ever since. Nigeria is essentially a typical example of a federalist state as it follows the four principles of federalism: constitutional division of authority, uniformity of powers, regionally elected officials, and the basing of the upper house of the central legislature on representation of regional jurisdictions.
CENTRALIZATION VS. DEVOLUTION
In the past, the Nigerian government leaned heavily towards centralization with most control of the country in the government's hands. However, Nigeria gradually evolved into a state that is neither highly centralized nor highly devolved. Power is distributed between the local governments and the federal government through the laws written in the constitution. After the civil war from 1967 to 1970, the then three federal states were divided into 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, which distributed power to the smaller ethnic groups in Nigeria. At the same time, Nigeria is also leaning slightly towards centralization as the central government has control over all oil revenue, which is Nigeria's major source of revenue. Since 1969, all oil revenue (Nigeria's major source of income) has gone to the central government, which in 1999 adopted a formula for ensuring a fair distribution of that revenue to the states. However, the central government still holds sole control over the oil revenue and several other aspects of the country as well. As a result, ethnic tensions have evolved and exacerbated as each state attempts to gain preferment from the central government.
In the past, the Nigerian government leaned heavily towards centralization with most control of the country in the government's hands. However, Nigeria gradually evolved into a state that is neither highly centralized nor highly devolved. Power is distributed between the local governments and the federal government through the laws written in the constitution. After the civil war from 1967 to 1970, the then three federal states were divided into 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, which distributed power to the smaller ethnic groups in Nigeria. At the same time, Nigeria is also leaning slightly towards centralization as the central government has control over all oil revenue, which is Nigeria's major source of revenue. Since 1969, all oil revenue (Nigeria's major source of income) has gone to the central government, which in 1999 adopted a formula for ensuring a fair distribution of that revenue to the states. However, the central government still holds sole control over the oil revenue and several other aspects of the country as well. As a result, ethnic tensions have evolved and exacerbated as each state attempts to gain preferment from the central government.
COERCION VS. CONSENSUS
As Nigeria's current constitution is essentially modeled after the American constitution, its government relies on similar methods as the American government. Like the American government, the Nigerian government is democratic and generally relies more on consensus than it does on coercion. Most decisions are based off of the majority's opinion (a.k.a. consensus) with very few instances where coercion is the main method of reaching an agreement on a decision. Every once in a while coercion is used in the form of physical force in order to either calm the public or to reach an agreement. However, in general, Nigeria relies on consensus as decisions are made through voting procedures that require the consensus of several individuals and sometimes even the public.
As Nigeria's current constitution is essentially modeled after the American constitution, its government relies on similar methods as the American government. Like the American government, the Nigerian government is democratic and generally relies more on consensus than it does on coercion. Most decisions are based off of the majority's opinion (a.k.a. consensus) with very few instances where coercion is the main method of reaching an agreement on a decision. Every once in a while coercion is used in the form of physical force in order to either calm the public or to reach an agreement. However, in general, Nigeria relies on consensus as decisions are made through voting procedures that require the consensus of several individuals and sometimes even the public.
Sources of Legitimacy
Ideology of the Regime
The current 1999 Constitution of the Federal Nigerian Republic evolved from the 1979 constitution (Second Republic), through with Nigeria abandoned the Westminster system for a governmental system highly influenced by the American Constitution. The 1979 constitution favored an American presidential system with a directly elected executive. Political parties were also required to be registered in at least 2/3 of the states and each state had to have at least one member of the cabinet from it. The 1993 constitution was intended to return Nigeria to democratic rule, but was never fully implemented and military power resumed until 1999, when the current constitution was passed. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Nigerian Republic (Fourth Republic) restored democratic rule to Nigeria and is still used today. Highly similar to the American Constitution, the current Nigerian constitution values individual freedom and personal rights. The Nigerian government has taken steps to ensure that every individual's rights are guaranteed and protected and also to prevent corruption in the government as President Jonathan did with his amendment to the constitution in 2011 that ensured the financial independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
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Autonomy
Helpful Resources:
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ni.html
http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng
http://www.onlinenigeria.com/government/
http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/32058/1/Nigeria.pdf?1
http://www.statehouse.gov.ng
http://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/viewFile/3392/3156
http://www.nigeria-law.org/ConstitutionOfTheFederalRepublicOfNigeria.htm
http://www.nigeria.gov.ng
http://www.onlinenigeria.com/government/
http://dspace.africaportal.org/jspui/bitstream/123456789/32058/1/Nigeria.pdf?1
http://www.statehouse.gov.ng
http://eujournal.org/index.php/esj/article/viewFile/3392/3156