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Showing posts from February, 2022

CLIFFORD CONSTITUTION OF 1922

The Clifford constitution of 1922 abolished the Nigerian Council of 1914 as it was replaced by a new legislative member through which Nigerians will have access to power via elective principle  Considering the composition of Clifford constitution of 1922, the legislative member was composed of 46 members of which 27 were officials and 19 unofficials. Out of the 19 unofficials, 15 was nominated by the governor, 10 were Nigerians, out of the 10 Nigerians 4 were through election 3 from Lagos and 1 from Calabar. The constitution also led to the creation of 1st political party in Nigeria (NNDP) in 1923, Also the constitution introduced some newspapers such as Lagos Daily News and West African Pilot. For instance the Lagos daily news was established in 1925. The constitution also introduced elective principle by allowing adults who can vote and be voted for to participate in the election, but they must have resided in the county for 12 months and have gross annual income of 100 pounds pe...

CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

Undoubtedly, Nigeria is an heterogeneous society due to ethnic and ethno linguistic differences. However, what is today known as Nigeria is the making of the British. The making of the modern political administration started with the annexation of lagos in 1861. Be that as it may, in 1886 the Britain granted the Royal Nigeria company (British Company) a charter to  trade and control the Niger Coast protectorate after which they decided to take full political control of the colony in compliance with Brussel conference of 1890.    By 1900, the area now known as Nigeria having been taken over by British from Royal Niger Company was divided into 3 territories. That is the southern protectorate, the Northern protectorate and the colony of Lagos. However, in 1906,the southern protectorate and the colony of Lagos were merged to form the colony and and protectorate of southern Nigeria. Consequently, by 1914 Lord Fedrick Lugard merged the Southern and Northern protectorat...

JARED ANGIRA - HUNGER

 The maize will grow Once when Long rains have come  And army worms Have gone Rations Will sink  With hunger And the coiled instestines Will straighten But That day Shall find many In the invalid home With collar'd fathers At bedside mass And others In the grave With maggots On palatable meal And for the grave majesties The maize cob  Shall be For a rusty funeral feast.  Analysis Jared Angira's "Hunger" is a poem that encapsulates polititical oppression and the shattering of dreams of the people of the land. The poet begins by stating the only solution that can liberate the people from suffering and hunger. Thus, the poet says; "The maize will grow Once when Long rains have come  And army worms Have gone" The above lines implies that, the nation or country will only come to its stability when corruption has been curbed and the corrupt leaders are apprehended. Not only that, but people must also contribute to the country equally for better change of the soci...

THE 1979 CONSTITUTION (SECOND REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION)

 Following the independence Constitution of 1960 and Republican Constitution of 1963, the military took over Nigeria government. Undoubtedly, the Constitution was suspended as inherent in military culture. Be that as it may, every effort was made to draft a new Constitution. For instance, Late General Aguiyi Ironsi organize a Constitutional review Committee that was led by F.R.A. William, but this didn't record any success as Aguiyi Ironsi regime was terminated. Subsequently, General Yakubu Gowon took over government and follow in the footstep of Aguiyi Ironsi in drafting a new Constitution. Therefore, a constitutional conference programme was set up in Aburi, Ghana. This also failed as Nigeria went to thirty months civil war (1967-1970). However, it is Muritala/Obasanjo's regime in 1975 that  constituted 49 Constitutional drafting Committee led by Chief Rotimi William. The Constitution was completed in 1976 and was given for review to 230 members constituent assembly headed b...

Republican Constitution of 1963 in Nigeria: Features, Merits and Demerits

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Introduction The Republican Constitution of 1963 marked a major turning point in Nigeria’s constitutional and political development. Following the constitutional conference held in Lagos between 25 and 26 July 1963, Nigerian leaders agreed that the country should become a republic rather than continue under the symbolic authority of the British Crown. This decision was largely influenced by the limitations and colonial remnants of the Independence Constitution of 1960. The 1963 Constitution therefore transformed Nigeria into a fully sovereign republic. It removed the British monarch as Head of State and replaced the office of the Governor-General with that of a ceremonial President. Although Nigeria retained the parliamentary system inherited from Britain, the Constitution represented an important step toward political independence and constitutional self-determination. Features of the Republican Constitution of 1963 One of the most significant features of the Constitution was the repl...