The electoral system used in Nigeria is primarily based on __________

1. Analyze the question The question asks which electoral system Nigeria mainly uses to elect its representatives (President, Governors, Senators, House of Representatives members, State Assembly members).

2. Explain the concept

• First-past-the-post (FPTP): Also called the simple plurality system. The candidate with the most votes wins, even without an absolute majority. Each constituency elects one representative.
• Proportional representation (PR): Seats are shared among parties according to the percentage of votes each party gets.
• Mixed-member proportional: A combination of constituency seats and party-list seats (used in Germany and New Zealand).
• Preferential voting: Voters rank candidates in order of preference, and lower-ranked choices are counted if no one wins a majority (used in Australia).

3. Step-by-step solution

• Nigeria divides the country into single-member constituencies (e.g., Federal Constituencies and Senatorial Districts).
• In each constituency, the candidate with the highest number of valid votes is declared the winner.
• For the Presidency and Governorship, the winner needs the highest votes plus the constitutional spread requirements (a quarter of votes in two-thirds of the states or LGAs). That is an added requirement, but the basic principle is still plurality voting.
• Nigeria does not use party lists to allocate seats, so it is not PR or mixed-member proportional. Voters also do not rank candidates, so it is not preferential voting.

4. Answer C. first-past-the-post

5. Exam tip Remember: "One constituency, one winner, highest votes wins" means FPTP. If a question mentions party lists or seats shared by percentage, think PR. If it mentions ranking candidates (1st, 2nd, 3rd choice), think preferential voting.