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Question

Difficulty: MediumMilitary Intervention and Governance in Nigeria

In the structure of governance established by military regimes in post-independence Nigeria, authority was divided among key governing bodies. What primary function distinguished the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from the Supreme Military Council (SMC)?

  1. Formulating and implementing daily administrative policies under the direction of appointed ministers or commissionersAnswer
  2. B
    Promulgating supreme military decrees that held absolute legal authority over constitutional provisions
  3. C
    Exercising final appellate jurisdiction and judicial review over decisions made by military tribunals
  4. D
    Appointing military governors and ratifying major constitutional transition directives

Answer

The primary function distinguishing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from the Supreme Military Council (SMC) was formulating and implementing daily administrative policies under the direction of appointed ministers or commissioners.
During military rule in Nigeria, government functions were split between the highest governing council and an executive cabinet. The Supreme Military Council (SMC) was the supreme policy-making and law-enacting body, whereas the Federal Executive Council (FEC) functioned as the cabinet responsible for managing government ministries and conducting routine administrative business.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the organizational structure of Nigerian military regimes.
Identified two primary organs: the Supreme Military Council (SMC) as the highest political and legislative body, and the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as the administrative cabinet.
Military governance replaced democratic executive-legislative structures with centralized military councils.
2
Differentiate between the functions of the SMC and the FEC.
The SMC held supreme legislative and state power (enacting Decrees), while the FEC carried out executive functions (managing government ministries and policy execution).
The FEC was composed of both military officers and civilian commissioners tasked with civil administration.

Key Concept

Organizational hierarchy and division of functions between the Supreme Military Council (legislative/supreme authority) and the Federal Executive Council (executive/administrative cabinet) during military rule in Nigeria.
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Military Intervention and Governance in Nigeria