Controversial Political Facts in Nigeria

The misconceptions about the political system in Nigeria is on a high rate. It really has to do with what has been stated in the constitution, not about what people think. It would be acceptable if these misconceptions are coming from a foreigner. However, It is comes majorly from the uninformed Nigerians themselves.

Having seen the level of ignorance of people, I have decided to write this article to enlighten the mass about the Nigerian political system. However, The purpose of writing is not only for ignorant Nigerians, but also for the watching foreigners who might have presumed that the political system of their country is same as here and thus unknowingly pass out unfair judgement.

The Government is divided into Federal, State and Local Government - The three levels of government from the most powerful to the least powerful.

The Federal Government has the legislature, the judiciary and the executive.

I would however not go into detail of the government structures, but instead draw out the controversial aspects of the political system in Nigeria.

• SECURITY : The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is also the Chief Commander of the Army Staff. The President as well as its army staff has the responsibility of securing the nation from foreign enemies and also internal terrorists. As of today, the system of police in the country is termed "central Police". This means the Governor of a state or the Chairman of a local Government does not have power to give orders to the army within its state. This means upon the rise of terrorism in a state for example, The Governor has to rely upon the intervention of the Nigerian Army has ordered by the Chief of Army Staff, that is the President. Furthermore, The use of Central Police system requires that the commissioner of police of a state needs approval from the Inspector General of Police of Nigeria at the F.C.T to execute certain orders given by the state Governor. Also, the Inspector General of Police must receive the approval of such order from the Sitting President. In one sense, the country and its state is secured by the President, leaving little or no room for the State governors. In contrast, some other countries make use of the State Police system. The state police system gives the Governor of a state power over its army and police to give orders. This solely means that The Governor of the State is in charge of the security of its state while the President looks after security of its country against foreign enemies. This is the system used in United States of America and some other civilized countries.

• RESOURCES : The resources of each state is managed by the Federal Government. Some of the natural resources found in Nigeria are Crude Oil, Coal and Tin among others. These natural resources are mainly used to generate income in running the country by foreign stock exchange. The Federal Government in turn sends a fixed monthly allocation to each state according to the natural resources found in the state and the population of the state.

• INCOME GENERATION : Each state government is in charge of the income revenue generated by its state. Income are generated in the state through payment of tax, land use charge, police bails, government institutions such as schools, hospitals and various ministries, transportation revenue and so on. The federal government also generates income internally in the same way.

• ROAD NETWORK AND INFRASTRUCTURES : There are federal Roads which forms a the link between states and there are state road network which forms the roads inside the state. The local Government also plays a role in the development and maintenance of its roads. Certain Governors, due to the importance of a federal road to his state can request for and receive permission to develop a federal road for the convenience of all. Infractructures such as social amenities, health centres, libraries, and so on can be state owned or federal owned and funded. The creation os more of such increases employment opportunities for the people.

• EDUCATION SYSTEM : The education system of Nigeria is generally the 9-3-4 system. This means that the pupil mus compulsorily spend 9 years in the primary and Junior Secondary, followed by 3 years of Senior secondary education and then at least 4 years of Tertiary education depending on the course registered for. There are Private owned schools as well as Government owned schools in all the levels of education from the Primary to the Tertiary level in the country.Furthermore, there are state owned schools and federal owned schools which run independently of each other.

There are still lots other matters to discuss, but these ones are the ones often misunderstood and misjudged among the people of Nigeria and the onlooking foreigners. You may as well share other points or your own opinion of the points discussed.

Thanks for reading.