Nigerian Constitution

OBJECTIVES: At the end of the lesson, students should be able to

Define the Constitution

State the Sources of Nigerian Constitution

What is a Constitution?

A constitution is the fundamental law, written or unwritten, which establishes the character of a government. 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.

It is the basic principles which all citizens must abide with. It prescribes the extent and manner of the exercise of a nation’s sovereign power.It is the fundamental and entrenched rules governing the conduct of an organization or nation state, and establishing its concept, character, and structure. It is usually a short document, general in nature and embodying the aspirations and values of its writers and subjects.

Sources of Nigerian Constitution

The Nigerian Constitution can be sourced from the following:

Conventions: Conventions are rules of practice that have been accepted because of their long usage.

Common Law: Law based on people’s customs and beliefs, which the courts also recognize is also a source of Nigerian constitution

Historical Documents: Documents containing historical records of people and their traditions

Judicial Precedents: Law emanating from previous court judgements, usually from superior courts. They can also be called case laws.

Act of Legislature: Laws made by the state and national assemblies

Features of Nigerian Constitution

The Nigerian Constitution  (1999) has eight different chapters; each of the chapter has sub sections and parts.

The prelude to the chapters  states:

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 inter-Africa 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 persons in our country, on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating  the unity of our people , do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following constitution.