Representation Imbalance In Nigeria’s National Assembly

Introduction

Nigeria operates a bicameral legislature consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. While this system is designed to provide balanced representation for the diverse population, there remains a significant imbalance in representation within the National Assembly. This imbalance arises from disproportionate allocation of seats, demographic misalignment, and political structures that fail to adequately reflect Nigeria’s federal character. This article explores the causes of these imbalances, their implications for governance, and the urgent need for reforms.

In Nigeria, the National Assembly consists of two chambers:

1. House of Representatives – 360 seats
2. Senate – 109 seats

Seat Distribution by Geopolitical Zone

Nigeria is divided into six geopolitical zones, each with a varying number of seats based on population and state representation.

House of Representatives (360 seats)

Senate (109 seats)

Each state has three senators, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has one senator.

Seat Distribution by Major Ethnic Groups

Nigeria has over 250 ethnic groups, but the three major ethnic groups—Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo—hold a significant number of seats.

Estimated House of Representatives Seats by Ethnicity

• Hausa-Fulani (North West & North East) – Approx. 140–150 seats
• Yoruba (South West) – Approx. 70–75 seats
• Igbo (South East) – Approx. 43 seats
• Ijaw, Edo, Efik, Urhobo, Itsekiri, etc. (South South) – Approx. 55 seats
• Middle Belt Ethnic Groups (North Central) – Approx. 50 seats

Estimated Senate Seats by Ethnicity

• Hausa-Fulani (North West & North East) – Approx. 40 seats
• Yoruba (South West) – 18 seats
• Igbo (South East) – 15 seats
• South South Ethnic Groups – 18 seats
• Middle Belt (North Central) – 19 seats

The exact ethnic breakdown is subject to political affiliations and alliances, as some states have a mix of different ethnicities.

There is a representation imbalance in Nigeria’s National Assembly due to the way seats are allocated based on state representation rather than strict population distribution. Here’s how:

1. Disparity in House of Representatives Allocation

The House of Representatives is supposed to reflect population size, but some zones have disproportionately higher representation relative to their population.

• North West (92 seats) has the most seats, even though its population is not significantly larger than the South West (71 seats).
• South East (43 seats) has the lowest representation despite having a substantial population.
• North Central (51 seats), despite having a lower population than the South West, has more seats than the South East and South South.

👉 Impact: This gives the North a stronger voice in legislative matters, affecting national policies and budget allocations.

2. Ethnic Representation Issues

Since the North has more states (19) compared to the South (17), it automatically has more Senate and House seats. This favors the Hausa-Fulani and Middle Belt ethnic groups over the Igbo and Yoruba.

• Hausa-Fulani dominance: With over 140 House seats and 40 Senate seats, they hold a strategic advantage in lawmaking.
• Igbo underrepresentation: With only 43 House seats and 15 Senate seats, they are at a legislative disadvantage.

3. Historical Political Influence

This imbalance was deliberately structured during military rule, with more states created in the North than in the South. This continues to influence political power distribution today.

Implications of Representation Imbalance

1. Policy and Resource Allocation Disparities

Legislators from Northern states often exert more influence on laws, policies, and the allocation of resources to their advantage.

Impact:

• Ethnic minorities in the South-South, Middle Belt, and other underrepresented regions receive less federal funding, infrastructure, and development projects.
• Resource-rich minority areas, such as the Niger Delta, are exploited without commensurate benefits, leading to economic disparity.
• Federal appointments, military presence, and policymaking are skewed in favor of majority groups, leaving minorities with limited decision-making power.

2. Political Tensions and Marginalization

Regions feeling underrepresented perceive the system as unjust, fueling calls for restructuring and fostering ethnic and regional tensions. This has contributed to secessionist agitations and a general sense of disenfranchisement among some communities.

Impact:

• South-East (Igbo people) feel politically excluded, reinforcing pro-Biafra movements and increasing distrust in the federal system.
• Middle Belt and Southern Kaduna minorities suffer religious and ethnic conflicts due to their underrepresentation in national security decision-making.
• Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo communities in the South-South continue to demand resource control and state creation to escape political domination.
• Discrimination in federal employment quotas means minorities often struggle to secure government positions and benefits.

3. Weak Democratic Legitimacy

A legislature that does not accurately reflect the population undermines the democratic principle of equal representation. It erodes public trust in the government and weakens citizen participation in governance.

Impact:

• Many minority groups do not see their voices reflected in national policies, leading to voter apathy and reduced civic engagement.
• Electoral manipulation and political marginalization of smaller ethnic groups discourage political participation and activism.
• Lack of fair representation in lawmaking leads to policies that fail to address the concerns of minority regions, such as insecurity, economic inequality, and environmental degradation.

The Need for Reforms

To address these imbalances, Nigeria must implement reforms that ensure a more equitable representation system. These include:

1. Redistricting and Reallocation of Seats
   There is a need for a transparent and population-based approach to seat distribution in the House of Representatives. Regularly updated and credible population data should guide redistricting efforts to align representation with demographic realities.
2. Senate Representation Adjustment
   The Senate’s structure should be reconsidered to reflect regional disparities. While maintaining the federal principle, an additional mechanism could be introduced to provide extra representation to bridge the dipropionate gap.
3. Electoral Reform and Census Accuracy
   Nigeria must prioritize an independent and accurate census free from political interference. Electoral laws should be restructured to ensure fair constituency delineation based on reliable demographic data.
4. Devolution of Powers
   Strengthening state and local governments would reduce the over-concentration of power at the federal level, mitigating the effects of National Assembly imbalances. States should be empowered to manage their own resources and governance structures effectively.

Conclusion:

There is a representation imbalance in favor of the North, particularly in the House of Representatives due to population weighting and in the Senate due to inequitable representation. This imbalance affects policymaking, national resources, and political negotiations.

The current representation imbalance disproportionately suppresses minority groups, leading to economic inequality, ethnic tensions, and weakened democracy. Addressing this requires fairer legislative seat allocation, minority protections, and electoral reforms to ensure all ethnic groups have an equal stake in Nigeria’s governance.