Posted by Chester Morton / Tuesday, 1 May 2018 / No comments
The major features of the 1963 republican constitution of Nigeria
THE MAIN FEATURES OF THE 1963 REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION OF
NIGERIA
Introduction
On the 1st of October, 1963, Nigeria became a
federal republic. This was the result of the All-Party Conference held in Lagos
in the latter days of the month of July, 1963. With the republican status came
a new constitution to reflect the new Nigeria.
MAIN FEATURES
Retention of
Parliamentary system
The new constitution retained the parliamentary system of
government where there was a Head of State and a Head of Government. President Nnamdi
Azikiwe became the first Head of Government, that is, president of the new republic and Abubakar Tafawa
Balewa became the Head of Government and therefore, the Prime Minister.
Removal of the queen
The Queen of England was removed from her position as the Head of State. In the 1960 independent constitution, she was made the Head of State, represented by the Governor-General in Nigeria.
National Assembly to
elect President
The republic constitution provided that the president of the
Republic of Nigeria must be elected by a joint sitting of the National Assembly,
voting through the secret ballot. The majority votes of the members of the
joint National Assembly must carry the day. Thus, President Nnamdi Azikiwe was elected as the Head of State by the 1963 National Assembly.
Senate President acting
as President
The new constitution made provisions for the temporary replacement
of the president. The constitution stated that, where the president suddenly dies, is
removed from office, resigns him/herself or becomes physically incapacitated
and cannot therefore perform the functions of his office, the Senate
President must act in his stead. This must only last for a maximum of six
months, within which a new president must be elected.
Creation of Mid-western
Region
The new constitution made provision for the creation of an additional
region. The Mid-western region was created to make the total number of regions
in Nigeria, at the time, four. As a direct consequence of the creation of the fourth region,
the number of seats in the new Senate increased to 56, from the previous 44.
Appeals Court in
Nigeria
Unlike the previous constitution where the Appeals Court was
the Privy Council in London, the republican constitution provided that the
Supreme Court of Nigeria should become the final court of adjudicature in the
land.
Declaration of state of
emergency
The constitution also provided that the federal government
could declare a state of emergency in any of the four constituent regions if
that could guarantee the interest of the entire federation.
SAMPLE QUESTION(S)
1. Highlight six main features of the 1963 republican
constitution of Nigeria.
2. What were the major changes introduced by the republican
constitution of Nigeria?
3. What were the main differences between the 1960 independence
constitution and the 1963 republican constitution of Nigeria?
