Features of the 1979 Presidential Constitution - SS2 Government Lesson Note

The 1979 Presidential Constitution of Nigeria had the following features:

• ·         Presidential system of government: The 1979 Constitution adopted a presidential system of government in which the President was both the Head of State and the Head of Government.
• ·         Bicameral legislature: The Constitution provided for a bicameral legislature consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
• ·         Fundamental Human Rights: The Constitution included provisions for the protection of fundamental human rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.
• ·         Separation of powers: The Constitution provided for the separation of powers among the three branches of government - the executive, legislature, and judiciary - to ensure checks and balances.
• ·         Independent judiciary: The Constitution guaranteed the independence of the judiciary and established the National Judicial Council to oversee the appointment and discipline of judges.
• ·         Federalism: The Constitution adopted a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal government and the state governments.
• ·         Citizenship: The Constitution defined the criteria for Nigerian citizenship, including birth within Nigeria, descent from Nigerian parents, or naturalization.
• ·         Presidential term limits: The Constitution limited the President to a maximum of two four-year terms in office.
• ·         National Planning Commission: The Constitution established the National Planning Commission to develop and implement national development plans.
• ·         Revenue allocation: The Constitution provided for the sharing of revenue between the federal and state governments based on a formula that took into account factors such as population and land mass.