Merits and demerits of the Independence Constitution of 1960 - SS2 Government Lesson Note

Merits of the Independence Constitution of 1960:

• ·         Established a federal system of government: The constitution created a federal system of government that allowed for regional autonomy and power sharing with the federal government.
• ·         Protected fundamental human rights: The constitution enshrined fundamental human rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and association.
• ·         Established an independent judiciary: The constitution established a Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal in the country, ensuring the separation of powers between the judiciary, executive, and legislative arms of government.
• ·         Promoted regional development: The constitution allowed for the creation of new states, subject to specific conditions, which helped to promote regional development and representation.
• ·         Guaranteed freedom of religion: The constitution guaranteed freedom of religion and prohibited discrimination on the basis of religion.

 

Demerits of the Independence Constitution of 1960:

• ·         Weak central government: The federal government had limited powers compared to the regional governments, which led to a weak central government.
• ·         Unequal representation: The allocation of seats in the parliament favored the North, which had larger geographical areas and populations compared to the other regions.
• ·         Ethnic and regional tensions: The regional autonomy and unequal representation contributed to ethnic and regional tensions, which ultimately led to the Nigerian Civil War.
• ·         Overreliance on oil revenue: The constitution did not adequately address economic development and diversification, which led to an overreliance on oil revenue.
• ·         Disregard for minority rights: The constitution did not adequately protect the rights of minorities, especially those in the Northern region, which led to marginalization and unrest.