Government 2, WASSCE (PC, 2ND) 2018

Question 9

 

(a)        Highlight three features of the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria.
(b)        State two ways by which the president could be removed from office according to the Constitution.

Observation

This was an unpopular question. The performance of the candidates who answered it was below average. They fail to provide relevant answers to the question; thus scored low marks. The candidates were expected to provide the following answers to the question.


    1. It introduced a presidential system of government where the head of state is the same as the head of government.
    2. The president was elected by the whole nation.
    3. The constitution was supreme law of the land.
    4. Bicameral Legislature: National Assembly was introduced at the centre. This was made up of House of Representatives and the Senate.
    5. Unicameral Legislature at the state level was practiced.
    6. The principles of separation of powers and checks and balances were entrenched in the constitution.
    7. The method of amendment of the constitution was complex and rigid.
    8. It was a document which embraced all the two levels of government i.e. the federal and the state government.
    9. The constitution explicitly addressed itself to political parties, their functions and administrations.
    10. The Chief Justice and Justices of Supreme Courts and federal high court judges were appointed by the president and the governors followed suit at state levels.
    11. Provided for Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) to manage electoral process.
    12. Provision of multi-party system with clear statement of conditions for operations, organizations, functions and finance.
    13. It introduced impeachment procedure for the removal of President, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, House of Representative Speakers and Deputy Speakers at the federal level and Governors, Speakers and Deputy Speakers at the state level.
    14. Provided for Sharia and Customary Courts to handle cases that are local in nature. There were also Appellate Courts.
    15. Veto power granted to the President and Commander - in- Chief of the Armed Forces.
    16. Tenure of office for political office holders – two terms of four years each.
    17. Granting of executive powers to the President.
    18. Make provision for a uniformed local government system in Nigeria.

    1. By impeachment: the President could be removed from office if the motion of impeachment is duly passed and supported by two-thirds majority of the two houses.
    2. Permanent incapacity of president: the President may cease to be the head of state if the two thirds majority of the executive supports the medical report of medical incapability to discharge his responsibilities.
    3. By resignation: the President may avoid the danger of being impeached and resign.