JSS2 Civic Education Third Term: Constitutional Development

Topic: Constitutional Development In Nigeria

Meaning of Constitution

Constitution can be defined as the fundamental law written or unwritten, which establishes the character of a government. A constitution defines the basic principles which all citizens must conform to. It prescribes the extent and manner of the exercise of a nation’s sovereign power. 

A constitution is the collection of rules and regulation that governs or guides the action of a country. It helps those in government to do their work and also helps the citizens to know their duties and right. Constitution can simply be referred as law. Constitution is the sum total of all the political and institutional arrangements with which those in government uses their power.

Sources of Constitution

The sources of constitution are:

1. [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]Common law: Laws based on people’s customs and beliefs , which the courts recognize are sources of constitution
2. Historical documents: Documents containing historical records of people and their traditions
3. Customs: Constitution can also be sourced from rules of conducts that have been accepted as obligatory in the society
4. Judicial precedents: Law emanating from previous court judgements usually from superior courts. They are called case laws.
5. Act of the legislature: Laws made by the state and national assemblies can also serve as a source of constitution.

Features of the Nigerian Constitution

The features of Nigerian Constitutions are:

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