Definition Of Constitution
Constitution can be refers to as a book or document which contains the rules and principle by which a state is governed. It is the fundamental laws and principle that prescribe s the nature ,functions and the limits of a Government.
The constitution of a country dictates how power is shared among the arms of Government and the right and duties of citizens in the country.
Sources of Constitution.
- History of the people: This involves the past event or activities of the people in the country, the history of the people therefore need to be considered in the preparation of a constitution.
- Decrees: These are the laws made by the federal military Government; the laws have form part of the constitution in Nigeria.
- Convention: These are the established ways of doing things. Convention does not have a legal implication if it is not carried out.
- Custom of the people: These are the belief, values and norms of the people. The people’s custom need to be considered in the constitution.
- Acts of parliament these are laws made by the national Assembly which affect the constitution.
Features of Constitution.
- The preamble
- Right of citizens
- Political institution
- The party system
- The procedure for amendment
- The tenure of office of Government
- Citizenship
Functions of Constitution
- The constitution protects the right of the minority
- The constitution defines the right and power of Government
- It sets the limit of power of use of powers of Government
- It protects the right of the minority
- It helps to share power among the arms of Government
- It spells out the right and duties of citizens
Pillars Of Democracy are the major arms of Government
The arms of Government in Nigeria are also known as the organs of Government. They are of three types which are:
- The Executive: In Nigeria the each level of Government (federal, state and local Government) has its own executive. The federal executive is headed by the president of the country, the state executive is headed by the state Governor while the local government is headed by the local government chairman
Functions of the Executive
- Responsible for policy formulation
- They are responsible for implementation
- They are responsible for budget preparation
- They appoint government functionaries
- Maintenance of law and order
- They assert bills
- They are responsible for protecting the country against external forces.
2. The Legislature : The legislature is a decision making organization responsible for making law.
Functions of the legislature
- Responsible for making law
- Responsible for approving the budget made by the executive
- They have the power to investigate any governmental official
- Responsible for making and amending constitution
- They have the power of impeachment
- They have the power to check and control the activities of the executives.
Types of legislature are :Unicameral and Bicameral legislature.
Unicameral legislature is a situation whereby there is only one legislative house that makes law. Israel and Bulgaria are examples of country that practice unicameral legislature.
Bicameral legislature is a situation whereby there are two legislative houses.Nigeria practices bicameral legislature which comprises the house of senate (upper house) and house of representative (lower house) the two houses are called national assembly.
- The Judiciary: This arm of Government is responsible for the interpretation of law and application of law when they are disobeyed.
Functions of the legislature.
- They interprete of law
- They punish offenders
- They prevent the violation of law
- They punish law breakers
- They protect the constitution
- They settle disputes
- They determine election petition.
Test and Exercise
- The arm of government responsible for making law is——– (a)the executive (b)the legislature (c)the judiciary (d)all of the above.
- The book that states the rules,principle and laws of how a state is governed is called ———-(a) decree (b)book of life (c)constitution (d)book of punishment.
- All of these are the source of constitution except————– (a)convention (b)history of the people (c)decrees (d)president’s speech
- The arm of government responsible for interpreting laws is ———– (a)the judiciary (b)the executive (c)the president (c)the legislature.
- The two types of legislature are ——— and —————- (a)house of senate and house of representative (b)unicameral and bicameral (c)executive and judiciary (d)decrees and act of parliament.
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8 thoughts on “Classwork Exercise and Series (Civic Education-SS1): Pillars Of Democracy”
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