Sir john macpherson was responsible for creating this constitution and its main highlight was the reported wide consultations with the different strata of the nigerian society before the constitution was created in 1951 also read. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date. Nigerias constitutional development history can be divided into two epochs or generations. Socially and ethnically, nigeria is a heterogeneous society. The clifford constitution of 1922 introduced the very first electoral system in nigeria and the very first election was conducted that year into the nigerian legislative council. Oct 15, 2012 the constitutional history of nigeria began with the conquest of lagos in 1861 by the british. You will need to provide your email address, where you want the constitution to be sent to. Pdf abstract this paper scrutinises against the background of the various experiences and attempts made at constitutional development in nigeria.
There are two sections that cover the period of constitutional development in nigeria by the british imperial administrators and within the section two periods are. Local administration in nigeria has passed the four distinct stages of development. Oct 23, 20 1 senior lecturer, department of history, university of ilorin, nigeria dynamics of constitutional development in nigeria, 19141999 2 the point to note about colonial constitutions is that, the nigerian people were barely involved in the drafting process. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1960 to date answers. Thus, in the colonial era, the constitution, where it existed, rather than being an instrument of empowerment was an instrument of domination. Historical development of nigerian constitution bscholarly. On the 9th of january, 1950, delegates from the northern, eastern and western regions of nigeria met as a body in ibadan to discuss issues on the new constitution sir macpherson was drafting macpherson constitution of 1951. Establishment of full regional selfgovernment for the east and west in 1957 and for the north in 1959. Article 6 the people exercise their sovereignty through their elected representatives and by way of referendum. We should also eschew dichotomy, nepotism, religion and ethnicity in nigeria polity. Nigeria s 1960 constitution was amended to delete the requirement for a final appeal to the privy council in britain.
Apparently, the geographical entity called nigeria is a british imperial creation. The regional governments of the north, west and east were born. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1960 to date. The constitution of the peoples democratic party pdp. Features of 1989 republican constitution nigerian infopedia. The first epoch took place from 1946 to 1966, the second epoch lasted from 1967 to 1976, and the final stage started from 1976 and exists till date. History of constitutional development in nigeria, an overview constitutional history of nigeria, an overview many centuries before european imperialism in africa, the unlettered people of africa had been governing their societies through unwritten constitutions derived from their cultures, customs and tradition. Proposals for amendments to this constitution, or dissolution must be delivered to the secretary in writing. Africa, challenge, constitution, constitutionalism, development, entrenchment introduction constitutionalism is embedded in the idea that the government should be limited in its powers and. National policy on population for sustainable development. The current constitution was enacted on 29 may 1999, inaugurating the nigerian fourth republic. The basis of jurisdiction of nigerian courts is the constitution of the federal republic of nigeria.
Under this constitution nigeria retained queen elizabeth ii as titular head of state. Dynamics of constitutional development in nigeria, 19141999 abstract. Pos112 nigerian constitutional development covenant university. Proposals for amendments to this constitution, or dissolution must. Get a fullyhyperlinked free pdf softcopy of the 1999 nigerian constitution, as amended. Read the fulltext online edition of constitutional developments in nigeria. This site is like a library, use search box in the. It is made up of a large number of groups commonly referred to. Constitutional development options for sustainable development in nigeria introduction it is necessary for a better understanding of the subject to state briefly the constitutional history of nigeria. That has been the journey so far of nigeria s constitution development, from the colonial era to the current 1999 edition, as amended. History of nigerian constitutional development the. A development which became prevalent from the era when the economy became solely dependent on oil, albeit, conscious that oil politics is not the burden of this chapter, the position of rotimi suberu on federalism and ethnic conflict in nigeria is apt. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet. The richards constitution of 1946 is another link in the chain of colonial or preindependence constitutions of nigeria.
The aim of this work is to trace the history of nigeria s constitution from the 1922 constitution to the 1979 constitution. A constitution is the fundamental law, written or unwritten, which establishes the character of a government. 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. An analytical study of nigerias constitutionmaking developments and the historical and political factors that affected constitutional change 1960. The republican constitution of 1963 was contemplated and later introduced to. The constitution of the united states preamble we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do. Its coast in the south is located on the gulf of guinea in the atlantic ocean. The constitution, in nigerias situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene. This was followed a year after by the declaration of lagos as a new crown colony or settlement burn. 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. It is the fundamental and organic law of a nation or state that establishes. It is intended in this work to trace the development of constitutionalism in nigeria, and the role lawyers have played therein. The development actually stated from 1922 and a substantial content was added in 1979. An introduction to constitutional development in nigeria.
It is asserted that the drafting of constitutions is a recurring decimal in nigeria s chequered political history. Young people in nigeria the national youth policy identifies with the improvement in the health and development status of adolescents and other young persons in the country. 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. Pathway to sustainable national development in nigeria nicholas omoregbe olanike sharon corresponding author college of business and social sciences, covenant university.
Prominent in the nigeria project is the constant cry by the nigerian people, especially the minority cry of nonrecognition in the scheme of things. Constitutional development in nigeria before independence. Beginning of the nigerian constitutional development under the. Download the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, as amended, free pdf copy for desktop and mobile.
Only those earning 100 pounds per annum were allowed to contest in the election. A constitution is also a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed. Pdf protection and promotion of womens rights in nigeria. Nigerian courts, like other courts in democratic nations.
A constitution is a collection of rules and regulation that govern or guide the actions of a country. British influence in the region began with the prohibition of slave trade to british subjects in 1807. Constitution helps those in government to do their work and it also helps the citizens to know their duties and rights. The 1999 constitution of nigeria includes provisions protecting freedom of religious belief and prohibiting religious discrimination, and there is no official state religion. Process of nigerian constitutional development in a chronological and sequential order colonization. This situation also obtained under the military government of general ibrahim babangida who himself seized power in a military coup. Mar 17, 2016 history of nigerian constitutional development introduction.
Nigeria s constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. Alteration of the constitution a proposals for amendments to this constitution or dissolution see clause 11 must be delivered to the secretary in writing. History of constitutional development in nigeria, an overview. Nigeria s constitutional development up to the present time pointing out, where necessary, the stresses and strains which this development has involved, and finally hazarding prospects for the countrys future. Brief history of local government in nigeria legit. Nigerias constitution of 1999 with amendments through 2011. The ibadan allnigerian constitutional conference of 1950. However, formatting rules can vary widely between applications and fields of interest or study. Download political and constitutional development in nigeria pdf download document your browser does not support javascript please use javascript supported browser to make this link work.
This article examines the intractable problem of constitutional engineering in nigeria. Chapter pdf available november 2018 with 46,342 reads. An analytical study of nigeria s constitution making develop ments and the historical and political factors that affected constitutional change. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet lawyer. Originally, there was no territory called nigeria, but by treaties, conquest and sufferance, the british acquired control over the different territories which make up nigeria today. Background of richards constitution of 1946 governor bernard bourdilloun succeeded sir hugh clifford as the governor general of nigeria. The aim of this work is to trace the history of nigerias constitution from the. Constitution of the united states we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this. The conference was held as a part of sir macphersons effort to have a home made and acceptable constitution unlike the earlier ones clifford constitution of 1922 and. This constitution firmly established the federal principle and paved the way for independence.
Allied matters act, laws of federation of nigeria, 1990. As a federal republic, nigeria maintains a written constitution officially referred to as the constitution of nigeria. History of nigerian constitutional development 1914 1960. As early as 1886, when lagos colony was separated from the gold coast, an executive council for the lagos colony was established. The purpose of this write up is to trace the source of the nigerian constitution and how it was developed from time. Mar, 2020 historical development of nigerian constitution.
Any surplus of the food coop shall be used as a general reserve for the continuation and development of the food coop. Calabar was given 1 slot and lagos was given 3 slots. As an electronic pdf softcopy, it will be delivered to you by email. On this page you can read or download political and constitutional development in nigeria pdf download in pdf format.
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 solidarity, world peace, international cooperation and understanding. They didnt do much in terms of constitutional development. But frederick lugard had reduced the powers of this executive council to the status of a legislature. The current number of local government in nigeria is 774. 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. From 23 may to 26 june 1957, there was a constitutional conference in london arranged mainly to correct the deficiencies of lyttleton constitution of 1954 and which took the following decisions. But due to a vehement demand for intense autonomy, the richards constitution was interrupted in 1950. By virtue of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, all courts in the nigerian federation derive their jurisdiction or competence from the constitution14.
Colonial nigeria was the era in the history of nigeria when the region of west africa was ruled by great britain in from the midnineteenth century until 1960, when nigeria achieved independence. If you dont see any interesting for you, use our search form on bottom v. Nigerias constitutional development up to the present time pointing out, where necessary, the stresses and strains which this development has involved, and. Nov 24, 2015 on this page you can read or download political and constitutional development in nigeria pdf download in pdf format. Historical development of the nigerian constitution. Mar 09, 2020 continuation of the constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date the enactment of the richards constitution in 1946 boosted the level of constitutional development in nigeria. Constitutional development in nigeria essay 4927 words. The secretary in conjunction with all other officers shall then decide on the date of a forum meeting to discuss such proposals, giving at least four weeks 28 days clear notice. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria nigeria has had a series of constitutions. The methodology adopted in this study is of a qualitative nature that consists. However, in 12 muslimmajority northern nigerian states, federalism has allowed the adoption of islamic shariah law in the criminal codes. Nigeria s incumbent constitution was promulgated on may 29. The constitutional development of the country saw the 1946 arthur richard constitution that really defined nigeria in terms of regions.
Constitutional development in nigeria before independence 2 years ago 50851 views by nina kalau the history of nigeria is actually quite interesting, especially when it comes to the question about constitutional development in nigeria before independence. 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. In its entirety, a constitution is a set of organizing principles, laws or rules by which a state, country, group or region is governed. The gentile constitution, also known as a the tribal constitution is a form of constitutional organization of human society which existed in early stages of human development prehistoric stages of culture. It is intended in this work to trace the development of constitutionalism in nigeria, and the. This will help us to understand better, how previous constitutions have been fashioned for nigeria and will go a great length in making us understand the source of our present constitution from the looking glass of constitutional history. Prof ben nwabueze has suggested that nigeria was not a state until amalgamation in 1914. Gentile constitution existed in the world before renaissance or modern civilization. When nigerian became an independent country in 1960, the independence constitution was enacted by a british order in council. Click download or read online button to get an introduction to constitutional development in nigeria book now. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria pdf download. Political activities were banned and the constitution remained suspended.
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