What the President can and cannot do in Nigeria (Pt.2)

By Osordi Ayomide

The Nigerian President is a powerful leader but there are decisions he cannot make despite the enormous power bestowed on the Office of the President by the Constitution.

What the President cannot do

1. He cannot govern without checks

The Constitution limits executive power. The legislature can override vetoes. The judiciary can also strike down unconstitutional actions.

1. He cannot spend public money freely

No expenditure without legislative approval. Even emergency spending must follow constitutional procedures.

1. He cannot control State Governments

Nigeria operates a federal system. Matters largely under state control include:

•Basic education (shared responsibility)

•Primary healthcare (largely state/local)

•Markets and local infrastructure

•Sanitation and local services

1. He cannot remove Judges at will

Judicial discipline and removal require recommendation by the National Judicial Council.

For superior court judges, removal also requires Senate approval (Section 292).

1. He cannot rule indefinitely

The Presidential tenure is limited to two four-year terms (Section 137). Elections are constitutionally mandated.

Bottom line

The Nigerian President wields significant executive authority, but that power is constitutionally constrained.

He is accountable to:

•The National Assembly
•The Judiciary
•The Federal structure of government
•The Constitution itself
•Nigerians

The office is powerful but not absolute.