Nigeria 4B

Leadership and Elite Recruitment President Muhammadu Buhari Ceremonial duties of leadership, administration of government, leader of the armed forces Chooses government ministers (approved by the Senate, chosen from all 36 states) Rich military class continue to dominate intra-party and inter-party politics Ex. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) majority of retired military officers retired military officer= the Chairman Board of Trustee of the party, twice National Chairman of the party, as well as the Senate President

Bureaucracies Elaborate civil service put in by British (colonial days) allowed Nigerians to fill lower level jobs A large employer dominated by Southern Nigerians Creates stronger north/south tensions size has grown dramatically with oil revenues Large amount of corruption because of: the lack of accountability political instability related to oil revenues Bribery Jobs given through patron-clientelism The corrupt system has led to growth in jobs After independence, the system stayed in place, has grown in recent years A large employer dominated by Southern Nigerians, creating stronger north/south tensions, and whose size has grown dramatically with oil revenues - Large amount of corruption because of the lack of accountability and political instability related to oil revenues; patron-client system.

Interest Groups and Interest Group Systems General Has played an important role in government and politics Development of active civil society has been hampered by prebendalism and corruption But still lots of civil society that cooperate with political parties Large number of muslim civil society organizations in north work to support sharia system Labor Unions Organized labor challenged government during both colonial and postcolonial eras Central labor organization supplanted older unions BUT labor movement is still alive Business Interests Work in collaboration with military regime during last decade Some business association have operated outside the realm of government influence Human Rights Groups University students, teachers, and professional groups protested the abuse of Babangia and Abacha regime

Military and Other Coercive Institutes Seen as disciplined organization with the capacity to make decision efficiently and effectively National in character because of the incorporation of all regions, ethnicities, and religions Participated in coups in the past 20 years Corruption says "they're only stepping in until Nigeria is ready for democracy again" Custodial theory of military govt. states that military rule is justified because it "prepares" the country for democracy Less need of democracy, more for order and stability in the country Although military rule normally has a negative connotation, it has actually been more effective than a democratic rule at times in Nigeria Military officers assuming political leadership in Nigeria are corrupt Bypass the electoral process Rely on violence and bribes in order to gain political promotion

Judiciaries Nigeria operates under the model of a Republic Uses a system of checks and balances Independent Judicial Branch Bicameral legislature The legislature is bicameral Political culture retains a lot of customary systems Example: Shari’a courts in Muslim communities The two chambers are the House of Representatives and the Senate The senate consists of 109 senators POPULAR VOTE and EQUAL REPRESENTATION Three from each of the 36 states For year terms The House of Representatives PLURALITY Contains 360 members Presided over by a Speaker They are elected for four-year terms Nigeria operates under a model of a Republic, where there is a strong executive is constrained by a system of checks and balances. There is a bicameral legislature, and an independent judicial branch, the political culture retains a lot of customary systems, like having shari’a courts in Muslim communities

Executives President Muhammadu Buhari Max of 2, 4 year terms in office Head of State Head of Government Under Military, Head of Patron-Client system (Patrimonialism) Introduces budget and other major pieces of legislation History of executive corruption Prebendalism (government elites share nation’s revenues for personal needs) Worsened country’s cleavages Decreased available resources