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A capital territory or capital district is normally a specially designated administrative division where a country's seat of government is located. As such, in a federal model of government, no state or territory has any political or economic advantage relative to the others because of the national capital lying within its borders. A capital territory can be a specific form of federal district.

A distinction should be made from administrative divisions which include national capitals, but have no special designated status legally (for example, Île de France has no distinct quality from other regions of France). Some federal countries (like Belgium), give their national capitals the status as full, equal federal units.

Some federal countries have made no distinction administratively for the territory around the capital. A few federal countries have their national capitals located in the capital city of a federal state: Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is also the capital of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, one of federal units and de jure capital of Republika Srpska, the other federal unit; further, Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the capital of the Canton of Bern.

Two national capitals in federal countries are neither federal units, special capital districts, nor capitals of federal units: Ottawa, the capital of Canada, and Palikir, the capital of the Federated States of Micronesia. The Canadian government does designate the Ottawa area as the National Capital Region, although this term merely represents the jurisdictional area of the government agency that administers federally-owned lands and buildings, and is not an actual administrative unit.

In some non-federal countries there are capital regions that don't have special significance, but have names hinting that. For example the Capital Region of Denmark‎ is a name of a normal national region.

The following have a special administrative district or territory for their national capital cities:

Argentina[link]

The Ciudad autónoma de Buenos Aires is coterminous with the Argentine Federal District. In 1996, under the 1994 reform of the Argentine Constitution, the city gained autonomous status, and held its first mayoral elections. Buenos Aires is represented in the Argentine Senate by three senators and in the Argentine Chamber of Deputies by 25 national deputies.

Australia[link]

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is one of two self-governing internal territories of the Australian federation, the other being the Northern Territory (NT). Created in 1911, the ACT was originally called the Federal Capital Territory, the current name being acquired in 1938. The ACT was constituted specifically to house the seat of government, the goal being to avoid situating the new nation's capital Canberra in either New South Wales or Victoria, the two most populous states. The ACT is an enclave of New South Wales.

Although the ACT has its own Chief Minister and its own legislature (the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly), the Federal Parliament retains the right to overrule ACT legislation. While governing the entire ACT, the Legislative Assembly also acts as a municipal government for the city of Canberra. The Governor-General of Australia exercises certain rights that in the states would be exercised by a state governor, such as the power to issue writs for elections.

At a federal level, the ACT and the NT both elect two members of the House of Representatives and two Senators. The terms of the territory senators are tied to the term of the House of Representatives, not to the term of the Senate. This means that if there is an election for the Senate only (as last happened in 1970), this would involve only half the state senators, and the territory senators' terms would continue. Conversely, if there is an election for the House of Representatives only (as last happened in 1972), this would also involve the territory senators but not the state senators.

Brazil[link]

Brasília, the capital of Brazil, is set within the Federal District or Distrito Federal. The state includes several other cities. Brasília is a planned city, with no pre-existing status prior to its establishment.

The Federal District is an anomalous unit of the federation, as it is not organized the same manner as a municipality, does not possess the same autonomy as a state (but is ranked among them) and is closely related to the central power.

The District Governor is elected directly for a 4-year term. Local laws are issued by a legislative assembly also elected by the local population. Judiciary affairs are carried out by the Union, instead of being appointed by the governor as in the other states of Brazil. The district has the status of a federal state in many aspects. It has representatives both in the Lower House of Congress (Câmara dos Deputados) and in the national Senate.

The Brazilian federal government was transferred to the Distrito Federal on April 21, 1960, which was then split off from the state of Goiás. Before the transfer, the Brazilian capital was the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. After the transfer, the municipality of Rio de Janeiro became the Estado da Guanabara (State of Guanabara), which existed from 1960 until 1975 when the State of Guanabara was merged into the State of Rio de Janeiro.

China, People's Republic of[link]

Beijing is a direct-controlled municipality.

Colombia[link]

In Colombia the Capital District of Bogotá, containing the city of Bogotá was created as a Special District in 1955 by Gustavo Rojas Pinilla. It was renamed "Capital District" in the Colombian Constitution of 1991. The district is subdivided into 20 localities.

Dominican Republic[link]

In Dominican Republic the Nacional District of Santo Domingo, containing the city of Santo Domingo de Guzman was created as a Special District in 1922. In 1844 it was the Santo Domingo Province and then the constitution of the Dominican Republic decided that the country needed the capital to be in a special district.

India[link]

The National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) is a special Union Territory of India. The territory encompasses three statutory towns: New Delhi (the capital of India), Delhi and Delhi Cantonment, along with 59 census towns and 165 villages.

The NCT was set up as a federally administered Union Territory on 11 November 1956. In December 1991, the NCT was given a legislative assembly headed by a Chief Minister. The territory is not classified as a true Union territory, though the Central government does have limited control over the functioning of the territory much like other Union territories. Delhi is to eventually become a full fledged state.

The NCT is unique in India in that the municipal control is handled by a locally elected government, major areas such as the police, and administration are handled by the central government.

Indonesia[link]

In Indonesia, the national capital Jakarta is within the Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta (Jakarta Special Capital District). Jakarta is considered as one of Indonesia's provinces so Jakarta is headed by a governor and not a mayor. However, Jakarta is divided into 5 smaller "administrative-cities" (which are headed by mayors) and one "administrative-regency". Administrative-city is different to city, and administrative-regency is different to regency, because of its degree of autonomy. These all only available in Jakarta. Mayors of administrative-cities and regent of administrative-regency are not elected by each people there, by the Governor and members of the Provincial Parliament of Jakarta Special Capital District instead. And each do not have local parliament.

Iraq[link]

Baghdad, the capital of Iraq, is contained within a Special Capital District.

Malaysia[link]

In Malaysia, the national capital of Kuala Lumpur lies within the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur (since 1974) while The Federal Government Administrative Centre of Putrajaya, 40 km to the south of KL lies within the Federal Territory of Putrajaya (since 2001). Both federal territories are located within the state of Selangor.

Mali[link]

Bamako, the capital of Mali, is contained within the Bamako Capital District.

Mexico[link]

Mexican Federal District or Distrito Federal since 1824 is coterminous with Mexico City. The D.F. is a federal district serving as the capital of Mexico and which is administered by the Mexican Federal Government. The D.F. encompasses the historical center of Mexico City, but is much larger than the historical municipality of Mexico City abolished in 1928. The urbanized area of Mexico City covers only the north of the D.F., while the south of the D.F. is made up of rural areas and mountains. Although the D.F. is not a municipality, the name "Ciudad de México" is used by Mexican authorities as a synonym for the Distrito Federal (Federal District). Mexico City as a municipality was abolished in 1928, and the name "Mexico City" can now refer to two things.

According to the Constitution of Mexico, Mexico City is the Federal District, (Distrito Federal). This is actually a fairly recent reform (dating from 1993) of Article 44 of the Constitution, and it was aimed at ending two centuries of discussions (and occasional problems on jurisdiction) about whether one concept engulfed the other or even if one of the two entities really had any legal existence in lieu of the other. The complete text of the aforementioned reform also states that Mexico City is the seat of the Powers of the Union (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) and capital of the United Mexican States.

Nigeria[link]

Nigeria's capital Abuja is located in the Federal Capital Territory. The Territory was established in 1976, and the capital was formally moved from Lagos (the historic capital) in 1991.

Niger[link]

Niger's capital, Niamey, comprises a capital district of Niger. It is surrounded by the department of Tillabéri.

North Korea[link]

North Korea's capital city, P'yŏng-yang, while traditionally located within South P'yŏng-an Province, is currently seen as a "directly governed city" (Chikalshi 직할시). For a time, P'yŏng-yang was considered a "special city" (T'ŭkpyŏlshi 특별시), to make it equivalent to its South Korean counterpart, Seoul.

Pakistan[link]

The capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, is a planned city within the Islamabad Capital Territory, which was created in 1960 out of the Punjab Province. The Territory elects representatives to both houses of the legislature. Before Islamabad was made the capital, Karachi was located in the Federal Capital Territory, which later reverted to the Sindh Province.

Papua New Guinea[link]

Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea has been contained within the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea since the country achieved independence in 1975.

Peru[link]

Lima, the nation's capital is contained entirely within Lima Province, the only province in the country not belonging to any of the twenty-five regions. It is surrounded by the Lima Region on all sides but west.

South Korea[link]

South Korea's capital city, Seoul, while traditionally located within Kyŏnggi Province, is currently seen as a "special city" (Teukbyeolsi/T'ŭkpyŏlshi 특별시). Seoul's mayor is seen as the equivalent of any provincial governor.

Taiwan (Republic of China)[link]

Taipei, the capital of the Republic of China (colloquially known as Taiwan) is a special municipality (Chinese: 直轄市; pinyin: zhíxiáshì).

United States[link]

As provided by the Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution, the seat of the United States government is a federal district known as the District of Columbia. When created in 1790, the District comprised 100 square miles (260 km²) of land donated by the states of Maryland and Virginia. Columbia was a poetic name for the United States used at the time.

The City of Washington was built in the center of the District, but other towns were also located in the territory such as Georgetown and Alexandria. The United States Congress returned the Virginia portion of the District back to that state in 1846. The District of Columbia Organic Act of 1871 revoked the charters of the individuals cities of Washington and Georgetown, and instead created a single government for the whole District of Columbia. The City of Washington no longer exists; however, the name continues in use and the city is often referred to as just Washington, D.C.

Since the Home Rule Act of 1973, the District of Columbia has been run by an elected mayor and city council. Congress retains ultimate authority over the District and has the right to review the local budget and taxes, overturn laws passed by the city council, and terminate home rule. District residents pay federal taxes and are represented by a single, non-voting member in the United States House of Representatives.

Because of the Twenty-third Amendment to the United States Constitution, the people of the District of Columbia are allowed to vote for President of the United States. The District is allotted three electoral votes, equal to that of the least populous state. Before this, the residents of the District were not afforded the right to vote for the President who resides within their territory. The District still does not have voting representation in Congress, however, despite having a larger population than that of the least populous state, Wyoming.

Venezuela[link]

Venezuelan Capital District / Metropolitan District of Caracas since 2000.

See also[link]

• Direct-controlled municipality
• Federal territory
• Federal district
• Capital region

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (January 2012)

Goodluck Jonathan
President of Nigeria
Incumbent
Assumed office 9 February 2010 Acting: 9 February 2010 – 6 May 2010
Vice President	Namadi Sambo
Preceded by	Umaru Yar'Adua
Vice President of Nigeria
In office 29 May 2007 – 6 May 2010
President	Umaru Yar'Adua
Preceded by	Atiku Abubakar
Succeeded by	Namadi Sambo
Governor of Bayelsa
In office 9 December 2005 – 28 May 2007
Preceded by	Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Succeeded by	Timipre Sylva
Personal details
Born	(1957-11-20) 20 November 1957 (age 54) Ogbia, Nigeria
Political party	People's Democratic Party
Spouse(s)	Patience Jonathan
Alma mater	University of Port Harcourt
Profession	Zoologist
Religion	Christianity

Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan, GCFR, BNER, GCON (born 20 November 1957^[1]) is the 14th Head of State and current President of Nigeria. Prior to his role as President, he served as Governor of Bayela State and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Jonathan is a member of the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP).

Early and personal life[link]

Jonathan was born in what is now Bayelsa State to a family of canoe makers.^[1][2] Jonathan holds a B.S. degree in Zoology in which he attained Second Class Honours. He also holds an M.Sc. degree in Hydrobiology and Fisheries biology, and a Ph.D. degree in Zoology from the University of Port Harcourt. After earning his degree, he worked as an education inspector, lecturer, and environmental-protection officer, until he decided to enter politics in 1998.^[3]

Jonathan and his wife, Patience, have two children. He is a Christian and comes from the Ijaw ethnic group.^[4]

Presidency[link]

Jonathan (fifth from right) standing with other world leaders at a meeting of the Economic Community of West African States in July 2010.

Former President Umaru Yar'Adua died on 5 May 2010. Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as Yar'Adua's successor on the following day,^[5] becoming Nigeria's 14th Head of State, to serve until the next election, in 2011, at which time he could elect to run again, which he has done. Upon taking office, he cited anti-corruption, power and electoral reform as focuses of his administration. He stated that he came to office under "very sad and unusual circumstances".^[6]

On 18 May 2010, the National Assembly approved Jonathan's nomination of former Kaduna State governor, Namadi Sambo, an architect, for the position of Vice President.^[7][8]

On 29 June 2010, Jonathan launched a Facebook fan-page;^[9] The president said that he launched his page in fulfillment of a promise he made earlier in the year to interact more with Nigerians.

On 2 August 2010 Jonathan launched a comprehensive plan, called the 'Roadmap for Power Sector Reform‘,^[10] aimed at restructuring the power sector and achieving stable electricity in the country. In his speech, the President identified the factors that affected reliable electricity service delivery to include the absence of a sustained and deliberately deployed long term power development strategy, under exploitation of the nation’s abundant energy endowments and the absence of adequate implementation of reforms.

2011 election[link]

On 15 September 2010, Jonathan, in a message on his Facebook Page, said he had finally decided to run for the presidency after wide consultations with various organisations across the country. This single action of his made him the first ever sitting president to declare his re-election bid via social media.^[11] The move came under scrutiny, as it was a northern Muslim candidate's turn to run for the presidency.

On 20 December, he flagged off the national book campaign called 'Bring Back The Book',^[12] and presented his book, My Friends and I: conversations on policy and governance via Facebook to the public. He declared that the fight to bring back the book should be supported by all Nigerians, as the project provided Nigeria a sure path to technological growth. He further said that his government was encouraging a culture of catch-them-young so as to secure the future of the children.

On 14 January, President Jonathan was chosen to run for president by the People's Democratic Party during the election. He won with 77.7% of valid votes cast.^[13][14] On 18 April, Jonathan was declared the winner of the election. His victory was, however, followed by violence in the north over claims of vote rigging.^[15]

Controversies[link]

Ministerial nominations and appointments[link]

In 2011, the Nigerian President failed to nominate and appoint at least 36 indigenes (one for each of the 36 states). This is in breach of article 147 subsection (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999: "...the President shall appoint at least one Minister from each State, who shall be an indigene of such State".^[16]

The President can be taken to constitutional court in Nigeria for noncompliance with Article 147(3) of the constitution.

Removal of fuel subsidy[link]

On 13 December 2011, the 2012 fiscal year's budget removed any provisions for fuel subsidy.^[17] The issue of fuel subsidy removal in Nigeria has always been a controversial topic. According to a poll carried out by the Alliance for Credible Elections (ACE- Nigeria), 80% of Nigerians opposed the plan to remove fuel subsidy.^[18]

On 1 January 2012, the Jonathan administration announced the start of a controversial plan to end fuel subsidies.^[19] Many prominent Nigerians have spoken out against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration. Former Petroleum Minister Professor Tam David-West has spoken out and expressed concern that the planned removal of fuel subsidy will squeeze the economy, increase inflation, and hurt both businesses and the public.^[20]

A former military Head of State and a former Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources, General Buhari, urged President Jonathan not to remove fuel subsidy and to tackle corruption.^[21]

General Yakubu Gowon, another former military Head of State, has warned the government that the country's infrastructure should be revived before fuel subsidy removal steps are taken.^[22]

Former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, joined millions of Nigerians protesting against the removal of fuel subsidy by the Jonathan administration, saying that the action is ill-timed.^[23]

Following the The Nigeria Labour Congress' warning that the country faces many strikes, the country unions followed up with strikes that were matched with civil protests from 9–13 January 2012. Protesters and groups called for President Jonathan to resign over the removal of fuel subsidies.^[24][25] After five days of national protests and strikes, on 16 January, Jonathan announced that the pump price of petroleum would be 97 naira per liter.^[26]

1st October 2010 Independence Day Bomb Blast[link]

During his South African magistrate court trial on 2 May 2012, MEND's (Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta) former leader Henry Okah came out and insisted that President Jonathan masterminded bomb attacks. He told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the October 1, 2010 independence day bomb attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonize political opponents, including the former military President General Ibrahim Babangida, and to win popular sympathy ahead of the 2011 elections.^[27]

The Nigerian Presidency has denied the allegations of terrorism levelled against President Jonathan. A media statement was issued on 2 May 2012, acknowledging the accusations from Okah. The statement went on to say that: “The Presidency categorically affirms that these allegations are false in their entirety and without any factual foundation." The Presidency also expressed no interest in commenting further for the time being, but plans to "make a full representation on the matter to the court when the trial opens."^[28][29]

Renaming of the University of Lagos[link]

In May 2012, President Jonathan changed the name of the University of Lagos, renaming it the Moshood Abiola University in honour of the late MKO Abiola. The action received negative feedback from parties involved with the university. The UNILAG Alumni Association commented that although they do not have prejudice against MKO Abiola, they were concerned "that neither the Governing Council nor the University Senate nor any other stakeholder was consulted before the change was announced."^[30]

Security challenges[link]

On 26 August 2011, after the UN building in Abuja was bombed by Boko Haram, Jonathan announced that it was not merely an attack on Nigeria, but on the international community. He told reporters that "we would work together with the UN and other world leaders to ensure that terrorism is brought under control.^[31] On Christmas Day, after a church as bombed and more violence occurred in the north, Jonathan came in for more criticism over the security challenge in the country. Further attacks occurred on Christmas and in early January 2012, claimed by Boko Haram.

In addition to the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta's attack on a oil pipeline on 4 February 2012 in Bayelsa,^[32] the Senate President David Mark stated that the security situation in the country is "intolerable."^[33]

References[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Goodluck Jonathan

Nigeria portal

v t e Presidents of Nigeria (List) First Republic Azikiwe Military regime Aguiyi-Ironsi Gowon Mohammed Obasanjo Second Republic Shagari Military regime Buhari Babangida Shonekan (interim)* Abacha Abubakar Fourth Republic Obasanjo Yar'Adua Jonathan * civilian; headed transition to abortive Third Republic

v t e Nigerian state governors 2003-2007 term Abia Orji Uzor Kalu (PDP) Adamawa Boni Haruna (PDP) Akwa Ibom Victor Attah (PDP) Anambra Chris Ngige (PDP) (nullified) Peter Obi (APGA) Bauchi Adamu Mu'azu (PDP) Bayelsa Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (PDP) (impeached) Goodluck Jonathan (PDP) Benue George Akume (PDP) Borno Ali Modu Sheriff (ANPP) Cross River Donald Duke (PDP) Delta James Ibori (PDP) Ebonyi Sam Egwu (PDP) Edo Lucky Igbinedion (PDP) Ekiti Ayo Fayose (PDP) (impeached) Tunji Olurin (Administrator) Enugu Chimaroke Nnamani (PDP) Gombe Mohammed Danjuma Goje (PDP) Imo Achike Udenwa (PDP) Jigawa Ibrahim Saminu Turaki (APP) Kaduna Ahmed Makarfi (PDP) Kano Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP) Katsina Umaru Yar'Adua (PDP) Kebbi Adamu Aliero (APP) Kogi Ibrahim Idris (PDP) Kwara Bukola Saraki (PDP) Lagos Bola Tinubu (AC) Nasarawa Abdullahi Adamu (PDP) Niger Abdulkadir Kure (PDP) Ogun Gbenga Daniel (PDP) Ondo Olusegun Agagu (PDP) Osun Olagunsoye Oyinlola (PDP) Oyo Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (PDP) (impeached) Christopher Alao-Akala (PDP) Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja (PDP) (reinstated) Plateau Joshua Dariye (PDP) (suspended) Chris Alli (administrator) Joshua Dariye (PDP) (reinstated) Rivers Peter Odili (PDP) Sokoto Attahiru Bafarawa (APP) Taraba Jolly Nyame (PDP) Yobe Bukar Ibrahim (APP) Zamfara Ahmad Sani Yerima (ANPP) See also Nigerian state governors 1999-2003 term and Nigerian state governors 2007-2011 term

v t e Vice Presidents of Nigeria Babafemi Ogundipe† Joseph Edet Akinwale Wey† Olusegun Obasanjo† Shehu Musa Yar'Adua† Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme Tunde Idiagbon† Ebitu Ukiwe† Augustus Aikhomu† Oladipo Diya† Mike Akhigbe† Atiku Abubakar Goodluck Jonathan Namadi Sambo † military