1963 constitution of nigeria pdf merge

The constitution of nigeria that established nigerian federation was the 1963 constitution. While other nations continuously amend their constitutions, nigeria recreated its constitutions nine times in 1922, 1946, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999. Constitution making and the struggle for resource control in nigeria. This constitution shall have the force of law throughout nigeria and, subject to the provisions of section 4 of this constitution, if any other law including the constitution of a region is inconsistent with this constitution, this constitution shall prevail and the other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void. Nigerias constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. Udofa department of public law, faculty of law university of uyo, uyo, akwa ibom state, nigeria abstract section 391 of the 1999 constitution of nigeria guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right.

On the whole, looking at the supremacy of the constitution and governance in nigeria, it is instructive to note that there has been poor culture of constitutionalism in nigeria. Constitution of the federal nfpa 79 download pdf republic need for speed hot pursuit poradnik gry online pdf of nigeria first alteration act, 2010 among other things, to provide for new timelines for the conduct of national elections. Nigeria is unarguably one of the most influential countries in africa. Since then, there have been five more constitutions.

Jan 10, 2017 we the people of the federal republic of nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god, dedicated to the promotion of interafrican solidarity, world peace, international cooperation and understanding and to provide for a constitution for the purpose of promoting the good government and welfare of all. Constitution orders in council, 1954 to 1960, shall together nigeria. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria promulgation decree 1989 no. This constitution removed queen elizabeth as the head of state.

Thus, in the colonial era, the constitution, where it existed, rather than being an instrument of empowerment was an. Colonial independent federal parliamentary country of the british commonwealth. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date. This new constitution was passed into law on 1st october 1963 and it was in line with the constitutional conference that was held in lagos between july 25 and 26, 1963. The material different between the 1960 and 1963 constitution is that the latter 1963 constitution declared nigeria a republic and changed the designation of the governor general to president. The constitution, in nigerias situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene. Admittedly, the constitution, like any other human document, is not perfect and, to be able to examine this topic clearly, it is intended first, to take an excursion into the recent past history of local government system in nigeria as a foundation for our interpretation of the provisions of the constitution on this subject. The country gained independence from the british government on 1 october 1960, and became a. It includes chapters on general provisions, fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, citizenship, fundamental rights, the legislative, the executive, the judiciary, federal capital territory and. Colonial elite and constitutional making in nigeria 1922 1963 the attainment of a republican status and consequently constitutional government in nigeria in 1963, can be regarded as a logical outcome of sequence constitutional developments that started with the cliffords constitution. Download pdf this document is the constitution of nigeria from 1979. The 1960 constitution has 154 sections and 11 chapters where. It came into force on 1st of october, 1963 nigeria s third anniversary as an independent nation. Its coast in the south is located on the gulf of guinea in the atlantic ocean.

Nigeria, the political elite can no longer be trusted to do the right thing. Thus, the key features of the 1963 constitution were the establishment of nigeria s first republic under a parliamentary system of government by replacing the governorgeneral appointed. Features of the republican constitution of 1963 nigerian. To safeguard even its own narrow interests, the power elite must concede to an open and popular recompacting of the constitution. Constitution of nigeria 1960 wikisource, the free online. The republican constitution of 1963 was a milestone in the history of constitutional development in nigeria. The constitution made provision for real independence of the nigerian state. John ademola yakubu, constitutional law in nigeria, ibadan, demyax law books 2003 p. Nigeria contains more historic cultures and empires than any other other nation in africa. Ses frontieres bordent le cameroun et le tchad a lest, le niger au nord et le benin a louest. On 19 september 1963 the republican constitution was passed into law by the federal parliament and became operational on 1 may 1963. The 1999 constitution has given birth to the fourth republic, though with problems for which it faces demands for a revision or amendment. Independent nigeria has so far experimented with five constitutions, the 1960, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions.

History of nigerian constitutional development the. Independent nigerias second constitution established the country as a federal republic. The constitution of the republic of kenya, 1963 as amended. The 1963 constitution, which was based on the westminster system, continued in operation until a military coup in 1966 overthrew nigeria s democratic institutions. The federation of nigeria is the most populous and potentially the most powerful nation in africa. Ordinarily, constitutions are meant to stipulate the powers of government, duties of citizens, state penalties, for erring parties, and above all, provide protection for all citizens. Chapter ii the executive part 1 the president and the vicepresident 4the office of. The situation whereby the legislative powers of nigerian parliaments. For the purposes of section 70 of this constitution the number of inhabitants of nigeria or any part thereof shall be ascertained by reference to the 1963 census of the population of nigeria or the latest census held in pursuance of an act of the national assembly after coming into. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet lawyer. Constitutionmaking process independent nigeria has so far experimented with five constitutions, the 1960, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions. Admittedly, the constitution, like any other human document, is not perfect and, to be able to examine this topic clearly, it is intended first, to take an excursion into the recent past history of local government system in nigeria as a foundation for our interpretation of the provisions of.

Constitutional development in nigeria new york essays. The problem of making an acceptable and legitimate constitution and sharing of the revenue of the federation of nigeria have dominated the political landscape for a very long time. Calling for a new constitutional conference is a ploy for buying time and digging in. It came into force on 1st of october,1963 nigerias third anniversary as an independent nation. The problem of making an acceptable and legitimate constitution and sharing of the revenue of the federation of nigeria have dominated the political landscape for a. Constitution making process independent nigeria has so far experimented with five constitutions, the 1960, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999 constitutions.

List and explain constitutional development in nigeria since. This constitution was enacted while nigeria was a crown colony of the british. Nigeria is a country of 923,768 square kilometres 356,669 sq mi, bound to the west by benin republic, to the north by the niger and chad republic, east by the republic of cameroon, and south by the gulf of guinea. It is a country with a current population of about 180 million people, and with different laws policies and constitutions to ensure that order is maintained. The federal republic of nigeria is an african country known for its history and culture, natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. The constitution of the republic of kenya, 1963 as amended to 2008 arrangement of sections chapter i the republic of kenya section 1declaration of republic.

It includes chapters on general provisions, fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy, citizenship, fundamental rights, the legislative, the executive, the judiciary, federal capital territory and general supplementary provisions. Mar 17, 2016 history of nigerian constitutional development introduction. The constitution actually uses the word alteration but i prefer to use the term amendment which is more universal in usage. The military governments do not sincerely believe that nigeria needs a new constitution. They date back as far as the 5th century bc, when communities living around the southern slopes of the jos plateau make wonderfully expressive terracotta figures in a tradition known now as the nok culture, from the nigerian village where these. Thus, an attempt to discuss the issue must succinctly. It is the fundamental and organic law of a nation or state that establishes.

Constitution and resource control on nigerias social and. The 1960 constitution has 154 sections and 11 chapters where the 1963 constitution has 159 sections 12 chapters. Individual judgment and feeling cannot be wholly shut out of the judicial process. Independent nigeria s second constitution established the country as a federal republic.

The nigerian senate voted to amend some key elements of the countrys constitution wednesday, amidst growing complaints by some citizens that the document has become increasingly unworkable. Historical development of the nigerian constitution. Only a truly consultative and participatory process can put the national question up for democratic debate and negotiation without resort to. Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god, dedicated to the promotion of interafrican. It was a followup to the constitutional conference held in lagos on 25 and 26 july 1963, designed to resolve the following issues. But if they dominate, the judicial process becomes a dangerous sham. Nigeria s constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. The major difference between 1960 and 1963 is that it was parliamentary system of government where they have two head of government which are head of state and head of government and is based under the rules of the british government which is the. The 1963 constitution, which was based on the westminster system, continued in operation until a military coup in 1966 overthrew nigerias democratic institutions. See osita mnamani ogbu, fair hearing, domestic tribunals and allegations involving a crime, nigerian bar journal vol 1 no2, april 2003, p. Constitution of nigeria 1999 wikisource, the free online. In the first place, it removed the stigma of imperialism from the nigeria s political landscape and it was the first document to give nigerians the power to solve, though partially, one of the contending issues left unresolved by the. Constitutionalism and the national question in nigeria.

Nigeria has to adopt 1963 constitution the guardian. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized. Right to freedom of expression and the law of defamation in nigeria imo j. The 1999 constitution has given birth to the fourth republic, though with prob lems for which it. Nov 22, 2016 the constitution of nigeria that established nigerian federation was the 1963 constitution. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979. Mar 09, 2020 constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date. What are the major differences between the 1960 and 1963.

Constitutionalism and the reinvention of the nigerian state. From this period they maintained that nigeria developed constitutionally till 1954 when the lyttleton constitution introduced federal principles into her body politics. This document contains major provisions of the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria which was promulgated by decree in 1989. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1963 civilian nigerian president as ceremonial head of state replaced queen. Thus, in the colonial era, the constitution, where it existed, rather than being an instrument of empowerment was an instrument of domination. The country gained independence from the british government on 1 october 1960, and became a republic in 1963. The 1963 republican constitution which the nigeria parliament purposed to enact in 1963 following the earlier colonial comriderts and suspect in no different it remains an act of parliament not a constitution, the material different between the 1960 and 1963 constitute is that the latter 1963 constitution declared nigeria a republic and. But the formal initiation of the dialogue process for constitutional reform can be traced to june 30 july 2, 1999, barely one month after the inauguration of the civilian regime when a leading nongovernmental organisation in west africa, the centre for democracy and development cdd organised a conference on the 1999 constitution and the. Jul 28, 2009 the federation of nigeria is the most populous and potentially the most powerful nation in africa. The constitution of the republic of kenya, 1963 as.