Author(s): Josephine Nkeonye Egemonu
Executive powers in a presidential system of government are usually vested in a corporate sole called the president. This is a practice of constitutional law that has gained global acceptance. Nigeria is part of this global practice. In Nigeria, the vesting of executive powers in the president is enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). This paper analytically compares this practice in Nigeria with other independent States practicing presidential system of government. It is found that the heavy concentration of so much power on a single person may be too much for a bad president who may be mischievous, while a good president may not need such powers for the advancement of the nation. It is also found that the Nigerian Stat like most of its African counterparts, while attempting to avoid dictatorship has rather created a subtle imperial presidential system of government. This paper shall dwell analytically with the constitutions of political States that operate the presidential system of government on a comparative basis in order to appreciate the powers of the president under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). On the basis of the analysis and findings, recommendations and conclusions are made.