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.