The nigerian constitution 1960, 1979, 1989 and 1999. I used to have just the 1999 constitution available for download but i have now added the. Founded 1963 although nigeria gained independence from the united kingdom on 1 october 1960, the nation retained the british monarch, elizabeth ii, as titular head of state until the adoption of a new constitution in 1963 declaring the nation a republic. What are the differences between independent constitution of 1960 and republican. Theres a certain history that resulted in the creation and these rulesets, however, the current constitution was established only in 1999. Contested elections and political turbulence in the western region ended nigerias first republic in 1966 with the overthrow. Individual judgment and feeling cannot be wholly shut out of the judicial process. 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.
On 19 september 1963 the republican constitution was passed into law by the federal parliament and became operational on 1 april 1963. The act establishing the constitution was passed by the nigerian parliament, instead of the british parliament. 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. What are the differences and similarities between the 1963. According to the act of 1963, the president was elected by the houses of parliament, while its edited version of 1979 mentioned that the head of. Major differences between 1963 and 1979 constitution. But this article should help you out i saw it online. The federal constitution in historicalcultural context. What are the similarities and dissimilarities between the. What was the primary difference between 1963 and 1979 constitution. The ncnc, now headed by azikiwe who had taken control after macaulays death in 1946, formed a coalition with balewas npc after neither party won a majority in the 1959. There are some differences in the manner in which executive bills.
The convention met at carson city on july 4, 1864, and adjourned on july 28 of the same year. There have been a lot of searches on the web for the nigerian constitution these days. The military governments do not sincerely believe that nigeria needs a new constitution. Constitutional development in pakistan presented by. Constitution is a set of lawsprinciples may be written or unwritten on which a country is acknowledged to be governed. Clifford succeeded lugard as the then governor of nigeria and grafted the 1922 constitution. Compare and contrast are words that are often used to talk about the similarities and differences between two things or objects.
Major differences between 1963 and 1979 constitution constitutional development in nigeria can be generally divided into two epochs. It operates the presidential system of government with three distinct but complementary arms namely the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, each acting as a check on. But if they dominate, the judicial process becomes a dangerous sham. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet. Features of the republican constitution of 1963 include. The second nigerian republic was a brief formation of the nigerian state which succeeded the. Calling for a new constitutional conference is a ploy for buying time and digging in. First schedule to this constitution and six area councils as shown in part ii of that schedule. History of nigerian constitutional development the. I cant really say if there are dissimilarities but i do know the 1979 second republic constitution is a template for 1999 constitution probably with few difference but not sure. What are the main differences between the parliamentary system of government versus the presidential system. The 25th amendment dealt with presidential disability and succession. The former ushered nigeria into the first republic, while the latter introduced the countrys second republic.
Nigerian foreign policy under the constitution of the. Many issues remained unresolved, especially the criteria for the division of revenue between the centre and the regions. Constitutional development in nigeria essay example for free newyorkessays database with more than 65000 college essays for studying. The new constitution replaced nigerias cabinetstyle of government with a usstyle presidential system in an effort to enhance the federal governments ability to deal with national problems and thereby hold the country together. Im particularly interested in the pros and cons of each.
The 1963 constitution, the 1979 constitution, and the 1999 constitution. 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. While other nations continuously amend their constitutions, nigeria recreated its constitutions nine times in 1922, 1946, 1951, 1954, 1960, 1963, 1979, 1989 and 1999. So concerning nigeria, immediately after the first coup staged in nigeria on january 15, 1966 was successful, as usual, the 1963 republican constitution which was in use was suspended and this crushed the system of government parliamentary nigeria adopted. Difference between 1963 and 1979 constitution in nigeria legit. Constitutional development in nigeria sample essays. 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. Maybe it is the season of politics or maybe people just want to know. Constitutional development in nigeria can be generally divided into two epochs. What are the similarities between the 1960 and 1963. The 1979 constitution mandated that political parties and cabinet positions. The nigerian independence constitution of 1960 oldnaija. While the nigerian constitution requires each house of the national assembly to. They are the the 5 th and 6 th in our collection of nigerias constitutions.
Compare means to see the similarity and contrast means to see the difference. Nigeria became independent on october 1, 1960 the period between dis ddate is january 15, 1966, when the first military corp detat took place, is generally referred to as the first republic, although the country became a republic on october 1, 1963. A new constitution established a federal system with an elected prime minister and a ceremonial head of state. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date. Features of 1999 constitution in nigeria updated legit. A decree is a formal and authoritative order, especially one having the force of law. The legislative powers of the nigerian state were in an act of the british parliament and not that of the nigerian parliament till nigeria became a republic in 1963. Pdf abstract this paper scrutinises against the background of the various experiences and attempts made at constitutional development in nigeria.
The second nigerian republic was a brief formation of the nigerian state which succeeded the military governments formed after the overthrow of first republic. The 1989 constitution was carried out by three bodies set up by babangidas administration. The constitution, in nigerias situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene. Founded 1963 although nigeria gained independence from the united kingdom on 1 october 1960, the nation retained the british monarch, elizabeth ii, as titular head of state until the adoption of a new constitution in 1963 declaring the nation a republic the name nigeria is derived from the word niger the name of the river that constitutes the most remarkable. Persons born outside nigeria after 30th september, 1960. Nigeria has to adopt 1963 constitution the guardian. Plagued itself by chronic ethnic conflict and political corruption, and featuring eight different. For example, germanys parliamentary system versus mexicos presidential system.
Difference between compare and contrast difference between. In 1979, five political parties competed in a series of elections in which alhaji. Download pdf this document is the constitution of nigeria from 1979. Difference between 1963 and 1979 constitution in nigeria. The 1963 constitution, which was based on the westminster system, continued in operation until a military coup in 1966 overthrew nigeria s democratic institutions. On 1 october 1979 civilians took over the reins of power. Independent nigeria s second constitution established the country as a federal republic. This was after the constitutional conference held in lagos on july 25 and 26 1963 where issues bordering on the real independence of nigeria were resolved. There would be a nigerian president as the constitutional head of state and commanderinchief of the armed forces to replace the queen of england. Introduction it is proposed to divide this paper into two main parts. Nigeria was granted independence on october 1, 1960.
What are the major differences between the 1960 and 1963. The republican constitution was passed into law by the federal house of representatives on september 19, 1963, and came into force on 1st october 1963. All the changes to the us constitution between the years 1960, 1963 and 1979. The 1960 constitution has 154 sections and 11 chapters where the 1963 constitution has 159 sections 12 chapters. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized. Furthermore, as was the experience with the 1963, 1979 and 1999 constitutions, any constitution that is hurriedly drawn up and not tried, stands the risk of failure when subjected to the pressure of political, legal, economic and social forces in and outside the society. Features of the republican constitution of 1963 nigerian. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979. It is the successor of the three previous constitutions of 1960, 1963, 1979 and 1993. Constitution of 1963, the 1979 constitution and finally, the 1999 constitution. It was a followup to the constitutional conference held in lagos on 25 and 26 july 1963, designed to resolve the following issues. 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.