Government+Structure

=Constitutional Provisions=

Nigeria's final constitution was adopted in 1999 after Nigeria gained its independence from Great Britain. The constitution sets up a federal republic with federal, state, and local governments. The Federal government is in charge of the country and should follow all rules in the constitution. It consists of legislative, executive, and judicial branches with a checks and balance system. The executive branch is composed of the president, vice president, and appointed ministers. Elections for the presidency are held every 4 years and the winner is determined by popular vote. The president is held responsible for the smooth running of the government and the economy. He can be blamed for any nonsuccessful periods of economic growth. This branch is basically in control of running the country and enforcing laws. The legislative is made up by the National Assembly which includes the senate as the upper house and house of representatives as the lower house. The senate is made up of 3 members from each of the 36 states and one member from the Federal Capital Territory. The Federal Capital Territory is located in the capital city, approximately right in the center of the country.This branch is in charge of making laws. The judicial branch is made up of the Supreme Court and the Federal Court of Appeal. The Supreme Court judges are recommended by the National Judicial Council and are appointed by the president. The Federal Court of Appeal are also recommended by the National Judicial Council, but are appointed by the federal government. The judiciary's main role is to check and balance the other two branches and making sure they do not abuse their powers. They also are responsible for setteling disagreements between the other two branches and overseeing the legal system. Nigeria is a federal country because the state governments also have power. The state governments also consists of the same 3 branches, but have differences. The governor is the head of the branch rather than the president. In the state legislatures there are only State House of Representatives and no senators. The main rights the government can not take away from it's citizens are freedom of expression, movement and conscience, deprivation of personal liberty or life, inhuman treatment, peaceful assembly and association, and compulsory acquisition of property.

=Constitution in Reality=

=Executive=

Goodluck Jonathan was born to a family of canoe makers on November 20, 1957. He easily graduated high school in 1975 and attended the University of Port Harcourt where he studied zoology. In 1982 he was appointed Science Inspector of Education. He became a deputy governor in 1999 and served until December of 2005. In 2007 he was sworn into office as the vice president, but he later took over as president in February 2010 because of the former president's long absense for medical reasons. Important issues that the current executive dealt with during his term are poor GDP per capita, increase in diseases around the country, lack of social and economic development, and corruption within the oil market. Previous president Olusegun Obasanjo was elected in 1999, and worked hard to remove the heavy national debt because of the economic crisis from 1980 to 2000. The cabinet is a group of ministers appointed by the president in order to oversee certain areas of the government. They are responsible for national matters, whereas 'state' cabinet members are responsible for their state only. Current president Goodluck Jonathan dissolved the cabinet on the 18th of March, and released the new members on th 23rd of March, 2010.

=Legislative=

5. it needs to be approved by president or head of state
The role of the legislative branch is to debate whether a bill should be passed into a law or vetoed. This relates to the executive branch because once a bill is passed into law, it is the executive branch's responsibility to initiate and enforce

=Other=

The military has no role within the government, but is responsible for protecting the country if war is declared. The president is automatically assigned Commander-in-chief and has the power to give orders to the military.Other top positions appointed are; Chief of defense staff, chief of army staff, chief of naval staff, chief of air staff and national security advisor.

=Comparative Context=

This government is unique because the presidency usually alternates between Christian and Muslim candidates. Most governments, like the United States, are based on the characteristics and belief of the candidate and not their religion.

This government type - a federal republic - can be seen in many countries. There are no other federal republics within our study, but outside countries include; Germany and Brazil.
=﻿Level of Democracy=

The benefits hope to be achieved by a switch to democracy have been slow and hard to find. Many Nigerians are unpleased with the voilence, corruption, and economic downfalls associated with the new democracy. Other countries and the people of Nigeria are frustrated and concerned with the new regime. The percentage of people pleased with the outlook of democracy has flipped roles in Nigeria from 2000 to 2005. In 2000, 84% of people were pleased, while 14 % were unpleased. In 2005, the number of people pleased dropped to just 25%, while the percent of people displeased rose all the way to 74%.

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=Graphics=

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