Highlight the main changes introduced into the Nigerian Government by the 1963 Constitution.

Answer Details

Main changes introduced by the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria

1. Nigeria became a Republic. The country cut its last constitutional link with the British Crown; the Queen ceased to be Head of State.
2. Office of President created. A ceremonial President replaced the Governor-General as Head of State. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe became the first President.
3. The President replaced the Queen as source of authority. Executive acts, appointments and assent to bills were now done in the name of the President rather than the Crown.
4. Judicial appeals to the Privy Council abolished. The Supreme Court of Nigeria became the highest and final court of appeal, ending appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.
5. Oath of allegiance changed. Loyalty was now sworn to the Republic of Nigeria and its constitution instead of to the British monarch.
6. Retention of the parliamentary and federal framework. The federal structure of Regions, the parliamentary system with a Prime Minister as head of government, and the bicameral legislature inherited from the 1960 Constitution were retained.
7. Creation of the Mid-West Region (1963). A fourth region was carved out of the Western Region, altering the regional map.
8. Rigid amendment procedure kept. Alterations to entrenched clauses still required special majorities of the federal and regional legislatures.