President of Nigeria

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Official seal
Incumbent:
Umaru Yar'Adua.
First president:
Nnamdi Azikiwe
Formation:
October 1, 1963
Flag of the President of Nigeria
Flag of the President of Nigeria
Flag of the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces
Flag of the Commander in Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces
Nigeria

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
Nigeria



Nigeria Portal ·  Politics Portal
Other countries  view  talk  edit 

The President of Nigeria is the elected head of government and head of state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Officially styled President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces. The current President of Nigeria is Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.

Contents

[edit] History

When Nigeria became a federal republic within the Commonwealth in 1963, it retained the parliamentary system of government inherited from the British. Nnamdi Azikiwe, previously Governor General, became President, which was a ceremonial post, while Abubakar Tafawa Balewa remained Prime Minister.

However, in 1966 the military in Nigeria seized power, establishing a federal military dictatorship, and civilian rule was not restored until 1979.

Under the new constitution, modelled on that of the United States, the office of President was an executive post, but in 1983 the military once again seized power. Although elections were held in 1993, the military government of Ibrahim Babangida annulled the election results presumed to have been won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, a wealthy industrialist. Abiola later died in capitivity, hours before he was expected to have been released. Civilian rule was not fully restored until 1999.


[edit] Eligibility

A person shall be eligible for the office of President if he or she is a citizen of Nigeria by birth, at least 40 years of age, is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party. The constitution limits the President to only two four-year terms in office.

[edit] Oath of office

The Constitution of Nigeria specifies an oath of office for the President of the federation. The oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the person for the time being appointed to exercise the functions of that office:

I do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, except as may be required for the due discharge of my duties as President; and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Nigeria. So help me God.



[edit] List of Military Heads of State and Civilian Presidents of Nigeria (1963-Present)

[edit] President of Nigeria (1963-1966)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
Nnamdi Azikiwe 1904 - 1996 1 October 1963 16 January 1966 (deposed) NCNC

[edit] Heads of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria (1966-1979)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi 1924 - 1966 16 January 1966 29 July 1966 (deposed and murdered Military
General Yakubu Gowon 1934 - 1 August 1966 29 July 1975 (deposed) Military
General Murtala Mohammed 1938 - 1976 29 July 1975 13 February 1976 (assassinated) Military
General Olusegun Obasanjo (1st time) 1937 - 13 February 1976 1 October 1979 Military

[edit] President of Nigeria (1979-1983)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
Shehu Shagari 1925 - 1 October 1979 31 December 1983 (deposed) NPN

[edit] Chairman of the Supreme Military Council of Nigeria (1983-1985)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
Muhammadu Buhari 1942 - 31 December 1983 August 27, 1985 (deposed) Military

[edit] President of the Armed Forces Ruling Council of Nigeria (1985-1993)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
General Ibrahim Babangida 1941 - 27 August 1985 26 August 1993 (resigned) Military

[edit] Interim Head of State of Nigeria (1993)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan 1936 - 26 August 1993 17 November 1993 (deposed) None

[edit] Chairmen of the Provisional Ruling Council of Nigeria (1993-1999)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
General Sani Abacha 1943 - 1998 17 November 1993 8 June 1998 (died in office) Military
General Abdulsalami Abubakar 1942 - 8 June 1998 29 May 1999 Military

[edit] Presidents of Nigeria (1999-Present)

Name Born-Died Term start Term end Political Party
General Olusegun Obasanjo (2nd time) 1937 - 29 May 1999 29 May 2007 PDP
Umaru Yar'Adua 1951 - 29 May 2007 Present PDP

[edit] 2007 election

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 1 April 2007 Nigerian presidential election results
Candidates – Parties Parties Votes %
Umaru Yar'Adua Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 24,638,063 69.82
Muhammadu Buhari All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) 6,605,299 18.72
Atiku Abubakar Action Congress (AC) 2,637,848 7.47
Orji Uzor Kalu Progressive Peoples Alliance 608,803 1.73
Attahiru Bafarawa Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) 289,324 0.82
Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu All Progressives Grand Alliance 155,947 0.44
Pere Ajuwa Alliance for Democracy (AD) 89,241 0.25
Chris Okotie Fresh Democratic Party 74,049 0.21
Patrick Utomi African Democratic Congress (ADC) 50,849 0.14
Ambrose Owuru Hope Democratic Party 28,519 0.08
Emmanuel Okereke African Liberation Party (ALP) 22,677 0.06
Lawrence Adedoyin African Political System (APS) 22,409 0.06
Habu Fari National Democratic Party 21,934 0.06
Maxi Okwu Citizens Popular Party (CPP) 14,027 0.04
Bartholomew Nnaji Better Nigeria Party 11,705 0.03
Emmanuel Obayuwana National Conscience Party 8,229 0.02
Olapade Agoro National Action Council 5,752 0.02
Mojisola Obasanjo Nigerian Masses Movement 4,309 0.01

[edit] See also

[edit] External links