Give any six functions of the president under the 1963 Constitution of Nigeria

Answer Details

Under the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria, the President was a ceremonial Head of State (the real executive powers being exercised by the Prime Minister and cabinet). The President's functions were mainly formal and included the following.

1. Head of State: He was the ceremonial head of state and the symbol of national unity, representing the country at home and abroad.
2. Appointment of the Prime Minister: He appointed as Prime Minister the leader of the political party that commanded a majority in the House of Representatives.
3. Formal appointment of ministers and public officers: On the advice of the Prime Minister, he appointed ministers, judges and other principal officers of state.
4. Summoning, proroguing and dissolving Parliament: He performed the formal acts of opening, adjourning and dissolving the Parliament, usually on the advice of the Prime Minister.
5. Assent to bills: He gave formal assent to bills passed by Parliament before they became law.
6. Commander-in-Chief (ceremonial): He was the titular commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
7. Prerogative of mercy: He could grant pardon, reprieve or commutation of sentence to convicted persons, on advice.
8. Receiving and appointing envoys: He received foreign ambassadors and formally appointed Nigeria's diplomatic representatives.