Vice President of Nigeria

The Vice President of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria

Seal of the Vice President of Nigeria
Incumbent
Yemi Osinbajo
since 29 May 2015
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
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

References

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