Elections in Nigeria
Encyclopedia
Elections in Nigeria are democratic forms of choosing representatives to the Nigerian federal government and the various states in Nigeria
.
(the President of Nigeria
) and a legislature
(the National Assembly
). The president is elected by the people. The National Assembly has two chambers
. The House of Representatives has 360 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 109 members, elected for a four year term: each of the 36 states
are divided into 3 senatorial districts, each of which is represented by one senator; the Federal Capital Territory
is represented by only one senator.
Nigeria has a multi-party system, with two or three strong parties
and a third party that is electorally successful.
was held on 16 April 2011, the results of which were published on 19 April 2011. The original date of the election was scheduled as 9 April 2011, but was postponed. Goodluck Jonathan
, the PDP's
candidate, won by a large margin.
Politics of Nigeria
Nigeria is a Federal Republic modeled after the United States, with executive power exercised by the president and with influences from the Westminster System model in the composition and management of the upper and lower houses of the bicameral legislature. However, the President of Nigeria is...
.
Background
Nigeria elects on federal level a head of stateHead of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
(the President of Nigeria
President of Nigeria
The President of Nigeria is the Head of State and head of the national executive. Officially styled President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The current President of Nigeria is Goodluck Jonathan.-History:On October 1, 1960, Nigeria gained...
) and a legislature
Legislature
A legislature is a kind of deliberative assembly with the power to pass, amend, and repeal laws. The law created by a legislature is called legislation or statutory law. In addition to enacting laws, legislatures usually have exclusive authority to raise or lower taxes and adopt the budget and...
(the National Assembly
Nigerian National Assembly
The National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is a bicameral legislature established under section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution. It consists of a Senate and a 360-member House of Representatives...
). The president is elected by the people. The National Assembly has two chambers
Bicameralism
In the government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses....
. The House of Representatives has 360 members, elected for a four year term in single-seat constituencies. The Senate has 109 members, elected for a four year term: each of the 36 states
States of Nigeria
Nigeria is currently divided into 36 states and Abuja, the federal capital territory. The states are further divided into 774 Local Government Areas....
are divided into 3 senatorial districts, each of which is represented by one senator; the Federal Capital Territory
Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria
The Federal Capital Territory is the home of Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. The Territory was formed in 1976 from parts of former Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi States. It is in the central region of the country...
is represented by only one senator.
Nigeria has a multi-party system, with two or three strong parties
Political Parties
Political Parties: A Sociological Study of the Oligarchical Tendencies of Modern Democracy is a book by sociologist Robert Michels, published in 1911 , and first introducing the concept of iron law of oligarchy...
and a third party that is electorally successful.
Latest Election
The most recent presidential electionNigerian presidential election, 2011
A presidential election was held in Nigeria on 16 April 2011, postponed from 9 April 2011. The election follows controversy as to whether a Muslim or Christian should be allowed to become president given the tradition of rotating the top office between the religions and following the death of Umaru...
was held on 16 April 2011, the results of which were published on 19 April 2011. The original date of the election was scheduled as 9 April 2011, but was postponed. Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Jonathan
Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria.He was Governor of Bayelsa State from 9 December 2005 to 28 May 2007, and was sworn in as Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on 29 May 2007. Jonathan is a member of the...
, the PDP's
People's Democratic Party (Nigeria)
The People's Democratic Party is a political party in Nigeria. Its policies generally lie towards the right wing of the political spectrum. It has won every single Presidential elections since 1999, namely: 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011, and is the dominant party in the Fourth Republic.-History:In...
candidate, won by a large margin.