Interdisciplinariedad y alta cualificación profesional

The Queen of Great Britain was still the constitutional Head of State in the country as the Governor-General was her representative (who could only act on her instructions). Thus, Nigeria attained independence without sovereignty. Even the legislative powers of the Nigerian state were contained in the Act of the British Parliament till 1963 when Nigeria became a republic. The court of last resort for Nigerians was the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London to which appeals lay from the Supreme Court of Nigeria. The offices of Governor-General and

Study Session 6

Premiers respectively. The exercise of this power could lead to a conflict of power between

on the other, as witnessed in the Western Region in 1962 between the then Governor

Samuel Ladoke

based on the principle of need, national interest and balanced development was faulty as it could not resolve issues on revenue allocation sharing. It should have included derivation.

More importantly, the division of powers between the Head of State and the Head of Government, as provided for under parliamentary model instituted by the 1960 constitution, could lead to conflict in the process of discharging their duties. The constitutional provision that conferred power to declare state of emergency on the

abused either by the executive or the legislature. This actually happened in 1962 during the Western Region crisis, when the government of Balewa invoked it to punish AG regional government in power and put its favored candidat

the trueness of Nigerian federation. Also, rather than promoting socio economic transformation and national integration, parliamentary constitution adopted in 1960 merely encouraged regionalism as majo political parties were ethnically based to the detriment of the country’s political stability. The political instability it generated was one of the reasons for the call for a republican constitution.

Study Session Summary

Summary

In this study session

adoption of the independence constitution of 1960 as well as its major provisions, merits and demerits. The 1957 and 1958 constitutional conferences held in London and Lagos respectively contributed signifi

constitution. Not unlike other pre

significant in that it conferred independence status on Nigeria and was drafted by Nigerians. Nevertheless, it promoted ind

full sovereignty in Nigeria as the Queen of England remained the constitutional ceremonial head under the 1960 constitution. Other weaknesses of the constitution were also mentioned

Study Session 6The 1960 Independence Constitution and the First Republic in Nigeria

Premiers respectively. The exercise of this power could lead to a conflict of power between the political head on one hand, and the executive head on the other, as witnessed in the Western Region in 1962 between the then Governor- Sir Adesoji Aderemi and the regional Premier

Samuel Ladoke Akintola. The revenue allocation formula which was based on the principle of need, national interest and balanced development was faulty as it could not resolve issues on revenue allocation sharing. It should have included derivation.

More importantly, the division of powers between the Head of State and the Head of Government, as provided for under parliamentary model instituted by the 1960 constitution, could lead to conflict in the process of discharging their duties. The constitutional provision that conferred power to declare state of emergency on the federal government could be abused either by the executive or the legislature. This actually happened in 1962 during the Western Region crisis, when the government of Balewa invoked it to punish AG regional government in power and put its favored candidate in power. This particular provision also questioned the trueness of Nigerian federation. Also, rather than promoting socio economic transformation and national integration, parliamentary constitution adopted in 1960 merely encouraged regionalism as majo political parties were ethnically based to the detriment of the country’s political stability. The political instability it generated was one of the reasons for the call for a republican constitution.

Study Session Summary

In this study session, we discussed the major events that preceded the adoption of the independence constitution of 1960 as well as its major provisions, merits and demerits. The 1957 and 1958 constitutional conferences held in London and Lagos respectively contributed significantly to the adoption of major provisions in the independence constitution. Not unlike other pre- independence constitutions, it is significant in that it conferred independence status on Nigeria and was drafted by Nigerians. Nevertheless, it promoted ind

full sovereignty in Nigeria as the Queen of England remained the constitutional ceremonial head under the 1960 constitution. Other weaknesses of the constitution were also mentioned.

The 1960 Independence Constitution and the First Republic in Nigeria

49 Premiers respectively. The exercise of this power could lead to a conflict

the political head on one hand, and the executive head on the other, as witnessed in the Western Region in 1962 between the Aderemi and the regional Premier- Chief Akintola. The revenue allocation formula which was based on the principle of need, national interest and balanced development was faulty as it could not resolve issues on revenue allocation sharing. It should have included derivation.

More importantly, the division of powers between the Head of State and the Head of Government, as provided for under parliamentary model instituted by the 1960 constitution, could lead to conflict in the process of discharging their duties. The constitutional provision that conferred federal government could be abused either by the executive or the legislature. This actually happened in 1962 during the Western Region crisis, when the government of Balewa invoked it to punish AG regional government in power and put e in power. This particular provision also questioned the trueness of Nigerian federation. Also, rather than promoting socio-economic transformation and national integration, parliamentary constitution adopted in 1960 merely encouraged regionalism as major political parties were ethnically based to the detriment of the country’s political stability. The political instability it generated was one of the

, we discussed the major events that preceded the adoption of the independence constitution of 1960 as well as its major provisions, merits and demerits. The 1957 and 1958 constitutional conferences held in London and Lagos respectively contributed cantly to the adoption of major provisions in the independence independence constitutions, it is significant in that it conferred independence status on Nigeria and was drafted by Nigerians. Nevertheless, it promoted independence without full sovereignty in Nigeria as the Queen of England remained the constitutional ceremonial head under the 1960 constitution. Other

POS112Nigerian Constitutional Development

Bibliography

Resources Richard L. Sklar 1963. Nigerian Political Parties: Power in an Emergent African Nation. Princeton: Princeton University Press

Report of the Resumed Nigeria Constitutional Conference, 1958, Lagos KaluEzera, 1960. Constitutional Developments in Nigeria. Cambridge:

Cambridge University

Solomon Akinboye and RemiAnifowoshe 2000. Nigerian Government and Politics. In RemiAnifowoshe and Francis Enemuo (eds.) Element of Politics, Lagos: Ironuasi Pub.

OyediranOyeleye 2007. Nigerian Constitutional Development. Ibadan:

Oyediran Consult Limited

J. A. Egi 1997. The Mirror Of Government.Rasmed Publication.

The Independence Constitution of 1960 (National Archives)

Study

The 1963 Republican Constitution

Introduction

This Study Session discusses another significant post

constitution, the 1963 Republican Constitution as a constitution. It came into effect to provide for the inadequacies of the 1960 Independence Constitution. More importantly, some major political developments that led to those changes effected in t

examined.

with some major political developments in Nigeria between 1960 and 1963.

When you have studied this session, you should be able to:

Learning Outcomes 7.1

7.2