Her verdict is that section 10 of the 1999 constitution generates controversy, saying that the government of the federation or of a state shall not adopt any religion as state religion when. Federalism has to do with the division of government, state and local government. Features of 1989 republican constitution nigerian infopedia. A page listing the chapters of the 1999 constitution of nigeria. The features of the 1999 nigerian constitution are as follows. A fundamental flaw of the 1999 constitution is the lack of consultation and participatory input of the people its directly affect. Features of nigeria 1999 constitution in this article, we examine the contents and features of 1999 constitution of nigeria, which is the sovereign legal document or code in force within the borders of the federal republic of nigeria. Its very important to know that theres no perfect constitution anywhere in the world.
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. Those fundamental derogations from nigerias sovereignty and other observed challenges in implementing the independence constitution led to the enactment of the 1963 constitution. Nigeria s constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. Strengths and weaknesses of each constitution largely lie with those that practice it, particularly the decision makers. After the military took over governance in 1966 and the 1963 republican constitution was set aside, there were many steps taken towards the drafting of a new constitution for nigeria. Nigeria 1999 constitution is not an autochthonous constitution because the constitution was drafted by humanistic galaxy of mobs mobocrats or militocrats that never represent the interest of.
The constitution, in nigeria s situation, is the supreme law of the land which all. Thus, the key features of the 1963 constitution included the establishment of nigerias 1st republic under a parliamentary system of government by replacing the. Academics in advantages and disadvantages of 1999 nigeria. Constitution of 29 may 1999, as amended by the first, second. Constitution of nigeria 1999 wikisource, the free online library. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria promulgation decree. Political activities were banned and the constitution remained suspended. This situation also obtained under the military government of general ibrahim babangida who himself seized power in a military coup. In this article, we shall not just give an overview of the document, but also examine the principle behind it. Nigerias constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. Jul 27, 2017 full list of 1999 constitution amendment. 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 of the federal republic of nigeria certain. Features of nigeria 1999 constitution the section called the preamble is intended to be a page of contents for the nigerian legislation. The constitution describes the powers and functions of different org government. History of nigerian constitutional development the. It claims that the countrys law should be based on. History of nigerian constitutional development from 1900. The first constitution in nigeria was made on 1 october 1960. Get a fullyhyperlinked free pdf softcopy of the 1999 nigerian constitution, as amended. The current constitution was enacted on 29 may 1999, inaugurating the nigerian fourth republic. The constitution retained a presidential system of government as in the 1979 constitution. The approach adopted is historical, from the legislation process of 1861 of lagos colony to 1914 as the period of national formation to 1999 constitution, including the unique features of each. This decree may be cited as the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria certain consequential repeals decree 1999 and shall come into force on 29th may 1999. This constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the federal republic of nigeria. Review of the 1999 constitution, nigerian democracy 1.
As an electronic pdf softcopy, it will be delivered to you by email. The complete 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, from chapter i to chapter viii with schedules and parts intact. The national assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and. Features of nigeria constitutional law and development. Republic of nigeria, 1999 military basically restored 1979 constitution, but with 36 states and the percent derivation principle. A page listing the chapters of the 1999 constitution of nigeria urhobo historical society. Features of 1999 constitution in nigeria updated legit. Aug 03, 2019 the fundamental features of nigeria constitutional law are. The 1993 constitution was intended to see the return of democratic rule to nigeria with the establishment of a third republic, but was never fully implemented, and the military resumed power until 1999. This complete constitution has been generated from excerpts of texts from the repository of the comparative constitutions project, and distributed on. The emergence of democracy in nigeria on may 1999 ended 16 years of consecutive military rule.
On the basis of the above definitions of constitution, the main features of constitutions are stated below. Jan 26, 2020 merits and demerits of 1999 constitution merits the heads of the executive at all levels are popularly elected local government chairmen, state governors and the president. History of nigerian constitutional development from 1900 to 1999. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian. The 1989 constitution was carried out by three bodies set up by babangidas administration. The constitution introduced the position of an executive president, who would be the head of state and commanderinchief of the armed forces. Dec 27, 2011 this is why the democratic project in nigeria must begin with the political formation of the project. Theres a certain history that resulted in the creation and these rulesets, however, the current constitution was established only in 1999. The main functions of a local government council are as follows. Major contentious issues in the 1999 constitution of nigeria. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1999 chapter i. Nigeria became a full federal state in 1954, and the current constitution retains the system. The most evil document in circulation in the world today, i am told, is the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria amended or not. Professor nnamdi obiaraeri is the former dean, faculty of law, imo state university.
Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1999 schedules second schedule. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized. Just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. The constitution includes provisions for a bicameral legislature, the national assembly consisting of a 360member house of representatives and a 109member senate.
What are the weaknesses of the nigeria 1999 constitution. The 1999 nigeria constitution as amended is free for download for your use any time. Just like every other country around the world, 1999 nigeria constitution is the organic and fundamental law of nigeria which is. Jul, 2018 just like every other country, nigeria has it own law that is a constitution which is the highest law in every country. We the people of the federal republic of nigeria having firmly and solemnly resolved. Review of the 1999 constitution and nigerian democracy 4. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1999, as amended to 2010. Even if the three missing features are suddenly found in the 1999 constitution, i doubt if those are enough to cure the problem of the third tier of government that remained political pawn in the. Williams, but the committee could not do much before the regime was. The legislative powers of the federal republic of nigeria shall be vested in a national assembly for the federation, which shall consist of a senate and a house of representatives. The nigerian 1999 constitution provided for religion and secularity at the same time in four sections. In this article, we examine the contents and features of 1999 constitution of nigeria, which is the sovereign legal document or code in force within the borders of the federal republic of nigeria.
View academics in advantages and disadvantages of 1999 nigeria constitution on academia. The latest constitution of nigeria that was created to rule our country was. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1999, as amended to. Section 10 of the 1999 constitution creates controversies. Download 1999 nigerian constitution as amended free. After general muhammadu buhari took over government on 31 april 1983, some sections of the 1979 republican constitution under which the civilian regime operated, were suspended. The constitution serves two important functions in our humble opinion. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. What are the features of nigeria 1999 constitution answers. Table of contents of the 1999 constitution of nigeria.
The constitution is the embodiment of the fundamental laws. The 1999 nigerian constitution is the supreme law of the land of the federal republic. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian infopedia. The nigeria constitution is the highest law in nigeria, any law that is not consistent with the constitution is null and void. Nigerians as well as the senate are fully aware of the shortcomings, ambiguities, lack of clarity and even.
To live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under god dedicated to the promotion of inter. This bill seeks to alter the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1999 to set a timeframe within which the president or a governor shall. The section called the preamble is intended to be a page of contents for the nigerian legislation. What are the features of nigeria 1999 constitution. Apr 29, 2016 even if the three missing features are suddenly found in the 1999 constitution, i doubt if those are enough to cure the problem of the third tier of government that remained political pawn in the. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1999 as amended civilian modest amendments to 1999 constitution, including electoral reforms and entrenchment of. It is important to know that these features can be further divided depending on the area the author of any book wants to elaborate on. Constitution of nigeria westafrican constitutional. Full list of 1999 constitution amendment channels television. This post contains the full list of parts and sections of the constitution that were amended by nigerias national assembly. Jun 06, 2011 this paper therefore is an attempt to examine the major defaults of the 1999 constitution of nigeria.
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. It is the successor of the three previous constitutions of 1960, 1963, 1979 and 1993. Accounts of the government of the federation, and of offices. The functions to be conferred by law upon local government council shall include those set out in the fourth schedule to this constitution. The 1960 constitution has 154 sections and 11 chapters where the 1963 constitution has 159 sections 12 chapters. Fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy.
All constitutions have their features and that of federal republic of nigeria will not be an exception. 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. Subject to the provisions of this constitution, the executive powers of the. This part has general stipulations and gives us a general feel and summary of what the constitution is all about. The nigerian constitution 1999 has eight different chapters. The constitution is the foundation of the rule of state. This act alters the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1999 among other things, to provide for the financial independence of the national assembly and independent national electoral commission. Mar 09, 2020 features of nigeria 1999 constitution. Mar, 2017 the 1999 nigeria constitution as amended is free for download for your use any time. Constitution of nigeria 1999 wikisource, the free online. Nigeria according to 1999 constitution is a sovereign state and it can be found in section 2 of the nigeria constitution. Oct 23, 2019 nigeria 1999 presidential constitution. What are the merits and demerits of the 1999 constitution in.
Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria pdf download. We must unbundle the 1999 constitution the guardian. Nigeria s first constitutions were enacted by order in council during the colonial era, when the country was administered. Jul 16, 2019 nnamdi obiaraeri in this interview answers the question of the 1999 constitution as amended must be unbundled. Three missing features in the 1999 constitution the. Each of these constitutions has peculiar features, but the following brief features of the current 1999 constitution. The 1999 constitution was hurriedly forced on the nigerian people, termed a federal constitution, which in all intents and purposes was a unitary constitution that fits into the command structure. This introduces us to the main content of the constitution. You will need to provide your email address, where you want the constitution to be sent to. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria i constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, 1999 act no. That has been the journey so far of nigeria s constitution development, from the colonial era to the current 1999 edition, as amended. This post contains the full list of parts and sections of the constitution that were amended by nigeria s national assembly. Apr 26, 2018 the constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. The nigerian constitution is a document that was prepared by the nigerian military, during their preparation period to hand over power back to civilian administration in 1999, after a long period of military rule which took effect about 7 years previously, in 1993.
The nigerian military government that gave us the 1999 constitution currently in use via military decree no. It has as its main rule and stipulation that the constitution shall remain the most powerful authority for people and government. Free download 1999 nigeria constitution as amended pdf. Download the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, as amended, free pdf copy for desktop and mobile.
The president would be directly elected in a general election. The fundamental features of nigeria constitutional law are. The basic features of the 1999 constitution carenewsng. Force of the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1999. Features of the 1999 constitution in nigeria current.
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