Understand Government
Political and Legislative Terms Explained
This glossary explains common election, government, and legislative terms in plain language. Some procedures may vary under the Constitution, electoral laws, and the Standing Orders of each House.
A
Accreditation
The process of confirming that a person is registered and eligible to vote at a polling unit before receiving a ballot.
Amendment
A proposed change to a bill, law, budget, or constitutional provision.
Appropriation
Legal authorization for government to spend a specified amount of public money for a stated purpose.
Appropriation Bill
The proposed law containing government expenditure for a financial year. It becomes an Appropriation Law after passage and the required constitutional process.
Assent
The governor’s formal approval of a bill passed by the House of Assembly.
Audit
An independent examination of financial records to determine whether public money was properly received, managed, and spent.
B
Ballot
The paper or approved electronic method through which a voter records a choice during an election.
Bill
A proposal for a new law or a change to an existing law. A bill is not yet a law.
Budget
The government’s annual plan showing expected revenue, proposed expenditure, and priorities.
Budget Deficit
The amount by which planned government expenditure exceeds expected revenue.
Budget Implementation
The process of releasing and spending approved funds to deliver the programmes and projects in the budget.
By-Election
An election held to fill a legislative seat that becomes vacant before the normal end of the term.
C
Campaign
Organized activities through which candidates and political parties seek public support before an election.
Candidate
A person officially contesting for an elected office.
Capital Expenditure
Government spending on long-term assets and projects such as roads, schools, hospitals, water systems, and equipment.
Caucus
A group of legislators connected by party, region, interest, or policy position who meet to coordinate their activities.
Civil Service
Permanent government employees who administer policies and public services under lawful authority.
Coalition
An alliance of individuals, parties, or groups working together toward a shared objective.
Commissioner
A political appointee who heads or supervises a state ministry. The governor nominates commissioners, subject to confirmation by the House of Assembly.
Committee
A smaller group of legislators assigned to examine bills, budgets, agencies, or specialized subjects in detail.
Concurrent Legislative List
Constitutional subjects on which the National Assembly and State Houses of Assembly may legislate, subject to the limits set out in the Constitution.
Conflict of Interest
A situation in which a legislator’s personal, family, business, or financial interest may improperly influence public duty.
Constituency
The geographical area whose voters elect a particular representative.
Constituency Office
An office through which a legislator communicates with residents, receives complaints, and conducts constituency work.
Constituency Project
A public project located in or benefiting a constituency and funded through a lawful government budget. It is not a legislator’s personal gift or private project.
Constituent
A person who lives in or belongs to the area an elected official represents.
Constitution
Nigeria’s supreme legal framework. All laws and government actions must comply with it.
Consultation
A process of seeking views from citizens, experts, or affected groups before making a decision.