Question 10
(a) Identify three features of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria.
(b) Highlight three reasons for which the 1999 constitution of Nigeria may need amendment after some years in operation
Observation
This was a popular question and was attempted by most of the candidates. The performance of the candidates who attempted it was good as they really understood its demands. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers to the question.
- Provides for federal system of government/federalism
- Provides for separation of powers
- Provides for a presidential system of government
- Guarantees fundamental human rights
- Provides for the supremacy of the constitution
- Provides for the independence of the Judiciary
- Established the sovereignty of Nigeria
- Adopts bicameral legislature
- Provides for Federal Character Commission
- Provides for multi-party system of government
- Provides for the fundamental human rights of citizens
- Provides for the National Assembly made up of 109 senators and 360 members of House of Representatives
- Provides for 36 states and 774 local government areas and 6 Council Areas for Abuja
- The constitution provided for revenue allocation formula
- It provides for a presidential tenure of office of four years of two terms only
- Immunity from prosecution of elected political office holders
- Impeachments procedures of some political office holders e.g., president, governors, Senate president and Speaker of the House of Representatives, deputies as well as their counterparts in the states
- The Supreme Courts remains the highest court in the land.
- There is the Council of State
- Appointments of ministers at the Federal are made by the President with the approval of the National Assembly
- Governmental powers are shared between the Federal and other tiers of government
- Local government is retained as third tier of government
- It provides for fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy