The constitution has been called a hybrid of theocratic and democratic elements. The adoption of presidential system of government as opposed to the parliamentary system being used before. Historical development of the nigerian constitution. Get a fullyhyperlinked free pdf softcopy of the 1999 nigerian constitution, as amended. That has been the journey so far of nigeria s constitution development, from the colonial era to the current 1999 edition, as amended. Mar 17, 2016 history of nigerian constitutional development introduction.
The constitution of the islamic republic of iran was adopted by referendum on 2 and 3 december 1979, and went into force replacing the constitution of 1906. Constitution in nigeria is the primary legislative power, which is built of regulative norms. The president of the country under the 1979 constitution had executive powers and is the head of state and head of government. Britains final constitutional enactment the nigeria constitution order in. It was the fourth in a row since nigerian independence. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979. This version of the nigerian constitution is interactive, meaning, that it is fully a hyperlinked pdf softcopy, thereby easy to navigate to the various sections of the constitution without timeconsuming long scrolling. There have been a lot of searches on the web for the nigerian constitution these days.
Nigeria is a country, where you can observe a series of constitutions. The constitution of nigeria recognises the right of any person to resign from an office to which he has been appointed or elected. Nigeria, therefore, endured another period of military rule from 31 december 1983 to 29 may. Constitution of nigeria 1999 wikisource, the free online. The current constitution was enacted on 29 may 1999, inaugurating the nigerian fourth republic. It is the fundamental and organic law of a nation or state that establishes. Legislation online the house of representatives, national assembly, nigeria pdf of constitution doc. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria amendment decree 1979, no.
This paper examines the intergovernmental relations prescribed by the nigerian constitution of 1979. The end of almost fourteen years of military government, with the restoration of civilian rule in nigeria on 1st october, 1979, would inevitably have been a. Right to freedom of expression and the law of defamation in nigeria imo j. The 1979 constitution mandated that political parties and the federal executive council positions reflect the federal character of the nation. Feb 24, 2017 the present constitution was adopted in 1999. Introduction it is proposed to divide this paper into two main parts. The 1979 constitution mandated that political parties and cabinet positions reflect the federal character of the nation political parties were required to. However, the fundamental human right in nigeria was published and operated during periods of civilian rule 19601966 years 1960 constitution and 1979 1983 1979 constitution. Just like every other country around the world, 1999 nigeria constitution is the organic and fundamental law of nigeria which is. 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 general supplementary provisions. Download the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of nigeria, as amended, free pdf copy for desktop and mobile. The purpose of this write up is to trace the source of the nigerian constitution and how it was developed from time. The constitution was the supreme law of the land, with which all other laws must align. The first elections under the 1979 constitution were held on schedule in july and august 1979, and the fmg handed over power to a new civilian government under president shehu shagari on october 1, 1979.
Repromulgates the constitution of 1979, with amendments, as the new constitution of nigeria. Nigerian foreign policy under the constitution of the federal. Th e 1963 constituti on, which was based on the westminster system, continued in operation until a military coup in 1966 overth rew nige ria s democratic institut ions. Maybe it is the season of politics or maybe people just want to know. The nigerian constitution 1960, 1979, 1989 and 1999. Features of the 1979 constitution nigerian infopedia.
Full list of constitution amendments by senate punch. Nonjusticiability of chapter ii of the nigerian constitution as an impediment to economic rights and development. Nigeria would seem to enscapsulate what could be regarded as the official language policy1 of the second republic which it established. The development actually stated from 1922 and a substantial content was added in 1979. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria pdf download. After the military took over governance in 1966 and the 1963 republican constitution was set aside, there were many steps taken towards the drafting of a new constitution for nigeria. During this period, the military retained parts of the 1979 constitution, but then a new constitution, formulated with input from a constitutional convention, was partially. This document is the constitution of nigeria from 1979.
Nigeria s first constitutions were enacted by order in council during the colonial era, when the country was administered. Udofa department of public law, faculty of law university of uyo, uyo, akwa ibom state, nigeria abstract section 391 of the 1999 constitution of nigeria guarantees freedom of expression as a fundamental right. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria amendment. Ibeto 2000 also states that in statutory revenue allocation under the 1979 constitution, the federal government is to pay all revenues collected by it into the federation account except the. As a matter of fact, it was the frustration of having to endure long scrolling to the various sections of the constitution that gave birth to this interactive edition of the nigerian constitution. Jan 10, 2017 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 interafrican 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. Some important features of the 1979 republican constitution includes. Difference between 1963 and 1979 constitution in nigeria. In 1989, the parliament of the third republic began to develop a new basic. Constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date.
This post contains the full list of parts and sections of the constitution that were amended by nigerias national assembly. Mar 09, 2020 the federal republic of nigeria which gained independence in 1960, after a long period of colonialism by the british government, has a remarkable constitutional development. 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. You may order a pdf copy of this constitution in copyable format by. Williams, but the committee could not do much before the regime was.
As a result, political parties were required to be registered in at least twothirds of the states of nigeria, and each state had to have at least one member of the cabinet from it. In particular it discusses the elevated constitutional status of local government, tracing the origins of this to the 1976 local government reform. The constitution, in nigerias situation, is the supreme law of the land which all acts of individuals and of parliament must not contravene. The constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979 pdf. Nigeria s second republic was born amid great expectations.
The supreme military council carried out final amendments and promulgated the new constitution of the federal republic of nigeria into a. Although nigerias 1979 constitution guarantees fundamental rights, a succession of military governments has tended to rule by decree thereby eroding the constitution, the rule of law and the rights of the individual. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria 1979 constitutionnet. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian. Dec 26, 2017 military rule redux and the 1989 partial constitution. The importance of a constitution in any given society cannot be overemphasized.
Yet more content was added in 1999 when a number of amendments were also made that year. As nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate easter amid the global outbreak of coronavirus covid19, deputy president of the senate. The constitution of nigeria is the supreme law of the federal republic of nigeria. Constitution of the islamic republic of iran wikipedia.
You will need to provide your email address, where you want the constitution to be sent to. Constitution of 29 may 1999, as amended by the first, second. The constitution of the federation of nigeria arrangement of sections chapter i the federation and its territories section 1. That has been the journey so far of nigerias constitution development, from the colonial era to the current 1999 edition, as amended. Unlike the independence and 1963 republican constitutions, there was a combination of real and formal authorities in the office of an executive president or governor. As an electronic pdf softcopy, it will be delivered to you by email. However, the fundamental human right in nigeria was published and operated during periods of civilian rule 19601966 years 1960 constitution and 19791983 1979 constitution. The 1989 constitution was carried out by three bodies set up by babangidas administration. They define the rights and responsibility of the people and the leaders. The second nigerian republic was a brief formation of the nigerian state which succeeded the.
Contested elections and political turbulence in the western region ended nigeria s first republic in 1966 with the overthrow. Mar, 2017 the 1999 nigeria constitution as amended is free for download for your use any time. I used to have just the 1999 constitution available for download but i have now added the files for 1960, 1979 and 1989. Pdf nonjusticiability of chapter ii of the nigerian. Constitution of the federal republic of nigeria wipo. The constitutional development in nigeria from 1914 till date can be divided into two generation. Nigeria constitution of the federal republic of nigeria. It came into force on 1st of october,1963 nigeri a s third anniversary as an independent nation. Milit ary and constitution making in nigeria 19791999 it is unfortunate that despite the military arbitrariness to constitution, the nigerian constitution could not. Free download 1999 nigeria constitution as amended pdf. The second nigerian republic was a brief formation of the nigerian state which succeeded the military governments formed after the overthrow of first republic. History of nigerian constitutional development the jet lawyer. Features of the 1979 republican constitution nigerian infopedia.
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