Vice President of Nigeria
The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria | |
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Seal of the Vice President of Nigeria | |
Style | The Honourable |
Residence | Akinola Aguda House |
Nominator | Presidential candidate |
Appointer | Direct Popular Election |
Inaugural holder |
Babafemi Ogundipe (Military) Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme (Elected) |
Formation | 16 January 1966 |
Succession | First |
The Vice President of Nigeria is the second-in-command to the President of Nigeria in the Government of Nigeria. Officially styled Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Vice President is elected alongside the President in national elections. The office is currently held by Yemi Osinbajo.
Eligibility
A person shall be eligible for the office of Vice President if he or she is a citizen of Nigeria by birth, at least 40 years of age, is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party.
Oath of office
The Constitution of Nigeria specifies an oath of office for the Vice President of the federation. The oath is administered by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria or the person for the time being appointed to exercise the functions of that office. It is the same oath recited by Deputy State Governors, Ministers, Commissioners and Special Advisers to the President:
“ | I, do solemnly swear/affirm that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I will discharge my duties to the best of my ability, faithfully and in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the law, and always in the interest of the sovereignty, integrity, solidarity, well-being and prosperity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will strive to preserve the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions, that I will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that I will abide by the Code of Conduct contained in the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; that in all circumstances, I will do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will; that I will not directly or indirectly communicate or reveal to any person any matter which shall be brought under my consideration or shall become known to me as Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So help me God. | ” |
Functions of the Vice President of Nigeria
The executive functions of the Nigerian vice president includes participation in all cabinet meetings and, by statute, membership in the National Security Council, the National Defence Council, Federal Executive Council, and the Chairman of National Economic Council. Although the vice president may take an active role in establishing policy in the Executive Branch by serving on such committees and councils, the relative power of the Nigerian vice president's office depends upon the duties delegated by the president.
List of Vice Presidents
Name | Head of State/President | Inaugurated | Left Office | Political Party | Notes |
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Babafemi Ogundipe | JTU Aguiyi-Ironsi | 16 January 1966 | 29 July 1966 | Military | Deposed in a Coup |
Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey | Yakubu Gowon | 29 July 1966 | 29 July 1975 | Military | Deposed in a Coup |
Olusegun Obasanjo | Murtala Muhammed | 29 July 1975 | 13 February 1976 | Military | Became Head of State after the assassination of Murtala |
Shehu Musa Yar'Adua | Olusegun Obasanjo | 13 February 1976 | 30 September 1979 | Military | Handed over to Civilian Government |
Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme | Shehu Shagari | 1 October 1979 | 31 December 1983 | National Party of Nigeria | Deposed in a Coup |
Tunde Idiagbon | Muhammadu Buhari | 31 December 1983 | 27 August 1985 | Military | Deposed in a Coup |
Ebitu Ukiwe | Ibrahim Babangida | 27 August 1985 | October 1986 | Military | Resigned |
Augustus Aikhomu | Ibrahim Babangida | October 1986 | 27 August 1993 | Military | Handed over to interim Government |
Oladipo Diya | Sani Abacha | 17 November 1993 | 21 December 1997 | Military | Deposed and arrested for attempted Coup |
Michael Akhigbe | Abdulsalami Abubakar | 9 June 1998 | 29 May 1999 | Military | Handed over to Civilian Government |
Atiku Abubakar | Olusegun Obasanjo | 29 May 1999 | 29 May 2007 | Peoples Democratic Party | Stepped down after expiration of term |
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | Umaru Musa Yaradua | 29 May 2007 | 5 May 2010 | Peoples Democratic Party | Became President after the death of Yaradua |
Namadi Sambo | Goodluck Ebele Jonathan | 19 May 2010 | 29 May 2015 | Peoples Democratic Party | Stepped down after expiration of term |
Yemi Osinbajo | Muhammadu Buhari | 29 May 2015 | – | All Progressives Congress | Incumbent |
*Chief of Staff, Supreme HQ; Chief of General Staff, Deputy Military Head of State, and de facto Vice President
See also
- List of Governors-General of Nigeria
- List of heads of state of Nigeria
- List of heads of government of Nigeria