Features of the 1999 Constitution - SS2 Government Lesson Note
The features of the 1999 Constitution include:
- · Presidential System of Government: The 1999 Constitution adopted a presidential system of government, with a President as the head of state and government.
- · Separation of Powers: The Constitution provides for the separation of powers among the three branches of government - the executive, legislature, and judiciary - to ensure checks and balances.
- · Bicameral Legislature: The Constitution provides for a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
- · Federalism: The Constitution adopts a federal system of government, with power shared between the federal government and the state governments.
- · Protection of Fundamental Human Rights: The Constitution includes provisions for the protection of fundamental human rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.
- · Independent Judiciary: The Constitution guarantees the independence of the judiciary and establishes the National Judicial Council to oversee the appointment and discipline of judges.
- · Presidential Term Limits: The Constitution limits the President to a maximum of two four-year terms in office.
- · Local Government Autonomy: The Constitution provides for local government autonomy, with each state having its own system of local government.
- · Gender Equality: The Constitution includes provisions for gender equality and prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender.
- · Citizenship: The Constitution outlines the conditions for acquiring and renouncing Nigerian citizenship.