Vice President of Nigeria

Vice President of Nigeria
Post	Vice President
Body	Nigeria
Incumbent	Kashim Shettima
Incumbentsince	29 May 2023
Department	Executive Branch
Style	His Excellency
Reports to	President of Nigeria
Seat	Abuja
Appointer	Direct popular election with President
Termlength	Four years, renewable once
Formation	1963 (as Vice President of the Federal Republic)
First	Nwafor Orizu

Vice President of Nigeria The Vice President of Nigeria is the second-highest constitutional office in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, acting as deputy to the President and as an immediate successor in case of vacancy. The office has evolved through constitutional changes from the First Republic, the Second Republic, the Third Republic transition, the military interregnums, to the Fourth Republic, connecting figures across Nigerian politics such as Nnamdi Azikiwe, Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Shagari, Goodluck Jonathan, and Muhammadu Buhari.

History

The office traces origins to the parliamentary era of the First Republic when Nwafor Orizu served as Senate President and acting head during the crisis involving Nnamdi Azikiwe and the 1966 Nigerian coup d'état, later reconfigured under the 1963 Constitution of Nigeria and the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria which established a presidential system influenced by the United States Constitution and the Second Republic. During the Military regime of Olusegun Obasanjo (1976–1979), the role was suspended and later restored for the Second Nigerian Republic under Shehu Shagari; the office again disappeared during the 1983 Nigerian coup d'état led by Muhammad Buhari (military ruler), then reappeared after the transitional arrangements preceding the Fourth Republic initiated by Ibrahim Babangida and consolidated by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo (civilian president). Successions and acting appointments have involved figures such as Goodluck Jonathan, who succeeded Umaru Musa Yar'Adua following constitutional processes derived from the Nigerian Constitution and precedents from earlier transitions including the 1966 coups and the 1998–1999 transition to civilian rule.

Constitutional Role and Powers

The Vice President’s constitutional authority derives from the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and provisions related to executive succession, delegation of presidential functions, and joint ticket election with the President, reflecting doctrines similar to the United States Presidential Succession Act and constitutional practice influenced by the Westminster system adaptations. Powers include acting as President under incapacity per the Section 145 procedures, advising on appointments intersecting with bodies like the National Assembly and agencies such as the Independent National Electoral Commission and the Economic Community of West African States (in diplomatic roles), and participating in policy fora including the Federal Executive Council, coordinating with ministers like those of Finance, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and institutions such as the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation.

Election and Succession

The Vice President is elected on a joint ticket with the President under rules administered by the Independent National Electoral Commission during presidential elections influenced by inter-party contests among parties like the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party. Succession follows constitutional lineaments where the Vice President assumes the presidency upon death, resignation, or removal of the President, as occurred when Goodluck Jonathan succeeded Umaru Musa Yar'Adua under the constitutional mechanisms tied to the National Assembly and the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. Contingencies for vacancy of the Vice Presidency invoke nomination and confirmation processes involving the President and the Senate of Nigeria, akin to succession practices seen in other federal systems such as the United States and influenced by regional norms in the Economic Community of West African States.

Duties and Functions

Statutory and customary duties encompass advising the President, representing Nigeria in bilateral and multilateral engagements with counterparts from countries such as United States, United Kingdom, China, France, and bodies like the United Nations, African Union, and Commonwealth of Nations, and chairing special task forces on issues spanning fiscal policy with the Federal Ministry of Finance, energy policy with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, and security coordination with the National Security Adviser and service chiefs from the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force. The Vice President often leads economic initiatives involving the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank, and domestic reforms connected to the Privatisation Act and institutional reforms following reports by commissions such as the Udoji Commission and the Ricardo Commission.

Residence and Privileges

The Vice President’s official residence is in Abuja in the Presidential Villa complex alongside the President, with ceremonial privileges including official transport like aircraft operated under the Presidential Air Fleet, security provided by units of the Department of State Services, and entitlements governed by statutes passed by the National Assembly and oversight from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission regarding conduct and benefits. Protocol aligns with state ceremonies involving the Nigerian National Honors and interactions with diplomatic missions accredited to Nigeria including embassies from United States, United Kingdom, China, India, and Germany.

List of Vice Presidents

Notable holders include acting and substantive occupants from different constitutional eras: Nwafor Orizu (First Republic acting), Alex Ekwueme (Second Republic Vice President under Shehu Shagari), transition-era figures of the aborted Third Republic like M.K.O. Abiola-era actors, Fourth Republic vice presidents including Atiku Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan, Namadi Sambo, Yemi Osinbajo, and Kashim Shettima; military-era equivalents included deputy positions held under regimes such as Olusegun Obasanjo (military ruler), Ibrahim Babangida, and Sani Abacha who shaped the office’s modern contours.

Notable Vice Presidencies and Controversies

Vice presidential tenures have intersected with controversies and constitutional tests: the succession of Goodluck Jonathan after Umaru Musa Yar'Adua raised debates involving the Cabinet Office, the National Assembly, and legal interpretations of incapacity; Atiku Abubakar’s tenure and subsequent political career involved disputes over privatization and allegations examined by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission; political realignments saw figures like Yemi Osinbajo engage in policy clashes within the All Progressives Congress coalition; and election disputes adjudicated by the Supreme Court of Nigeria and tribunals following contests involving parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress have tested electoral jurisprudence and constitutional practice.

Category:Politics of Nigeria