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GOVERNMENT
(Facts)
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Type: Presidential system (republic
transitioning from military to civilian rule)
Capital: Abuja (on 12 December 1991 the
capital was officially transferred from Lagos to Abuja; most
federal government offices have now made the move to Abuja)
Administrative Divisions: 36 states and
one capital territory*; Abia, Abuja Federal Capital Territory*,
Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno,
Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo,
Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos,
Nassarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto,
Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara
Constitution: Current constitution is
the one adopted May 1999, which introduced a western
decentralised form of government.
Legal System: Based on English common
law, Islamic Sharia law (in some northern states), and
indigenous traditional laws
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive Branch:
. Headed by President (Head-of-State and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces): President Olusegun
Obasanjo (since 29 May 1999); can serve a maximum of two
four-year terms
. Cabinet: Federal Executive Council
. Elections: President is elected by
popular vote for no more than two four-year terms; election last
held 19 April 2003 (next to be held 2007)
Legislative Branch: Bicameral National
Assembly
. Senate: (109 seats, three from each
state and one from the Federal Capital Territory; members
elected by popular vote to serve a maximum of two four-year
terms)
. House of Representatives: (360 seats,
members elected by popular vote to serve a maximum two four-year
terms)
. Elections: Senate – last held 12 April
2003 (next to be held 2007); House of Representatives – last
held 12 April 2003 (next to be held 2007)
Judicial Branch:
. Supreme Court (judges appointed by the
President)
. Federal Court of Appeal (judges are
appointed by the Federal Government on the advice of the
Advisory Judicial Committee)
Major Political Parties: Alliance for
Democracy (AD), All Nigeria Peoples' Party (ANPP), All Peoples
Party (APP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), National
Democratic Party (NDP), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples
Redemption Party (PRP), United Nigeria Peoples Party or UNPP
Ruling Party: PDP
Main Opposition: APP
Political Pressure Group: Nigerian
Labour Congress (NLC) |
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