Political System

Government: Nigeria, a federation of 36 states and 774 local government areas, and the world's largest independent black nation with abundant resources, finally returned to democratic rule on May 29, 1999. It had been ruled since December 31, 1983 by the military. However, between January and March 1999, the three political parties (Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, All Peoples Party, APP, and Alliance for Democracy, AD), approved by the government of military dictator General Abdulsalami Abubakar, took part in state, federal and presidential elections. PDP emerged as the leading political party winning about 60 per cent of the votes in all three elections. With the setting up of the structures of the federal government in June 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo finally got his ministerial list approved by the Nigerian Senate and thereon composed his cabinet. He was re-elected on April 19, 2003 for a final four-year term in office.

Head of State: Chief Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office for his second and final four-year term on May 29, 2003, as president and commander-in-chief of the Nigerian armed forces. The federal government is run by a Federal Executive Council, which is appointed by the president, but approved by the Senate.

State government: States are run by 36 elected governors and are helped by state executive council of commissioners. States enact edicts, which are inferior to federal laws.

Main Political Parties: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Alliance for Democracy (AD)