Highlight five weaknesses of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Answer Details

Weaknesses of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

1. Military imposition: The constitution was drawn up and handed down by the military regime without genuine popular participation, so it lacks a truly democratic origin ("We the people" is disputed).
2. Over-centralisation of power: Too many powers and resources are concentrated in the federal government at the expense of the states, weakening true federalism.
3. Contentious revenue allocation and resource control: The formula for sharing national revenue has been a source of persistent agitation, especially in the oil-producing areas.
4. Non-justiciability of Chapter Two (Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles): The socio-economic rights are not enforceable in court, so citizens cannot compel government to provide them.
5. Cumbersome amendment procedure: The rigid requirements for altering the constitution make necessary reforms difficult to achieve.
6. Ambiguities and conflicts: Some provisions are vague or contradictory, for example on state creation, local government autonomy and the roles of federal and state governments, leading to disputes.