SUBJECT: CIVIC EDUCATION

TOPIC: THE CONSTITUTION

SUB-TOPIC: POST 1960
CONSTITUTION: 1963
REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION
 OBJECTIVES
• By the end of this lesson, you should be able
to:
• Identify the 1963 Republican constitution.
• State the features of the 1963 Republican
constitution.
• State the advantages of the 1963 Republican
constitution.
• State the disadvantages of the 1963
Republican constitution.
 1963 REPUBLICAN
CONSTITUTION
A republican form of government can be defined as
a sovereign state headed by a president elected
for a fixed term of office. Unlike a monarchy,
succession in the office of the Head of State is
non-hereditary but elective. It is a representative
democracy in which government is by the
consent of the people.
Nigeria became a republic in 1963 and it was
agreed that the president of the republic should
have the same powers as the Governor-General
had under the Independence Constitution.
FEATURES OF 1963 REPUBLICAN
CONSTITUTION
• It retained parliamentary system of government which
made up of President, Senate, and House of
Representatives.
• It provided for an elected president who would no
longer represent the Queen of England.
• The Prime Minister was the head of the government.
• Parliament vested with alteration of the constitution.
• Procedure for creation of new states established.
• The Supreme Court was made the highest court of
appeal instead of the Privy Council in London.
• It abolished the judicial service commission.
Advantages or Achievements of 1963
Republican Constitution
• It gave Nigeria a republican form of
government.
• An elected head of state by the parliament
replaced the Queen of England as the head of
state.
• It was the first constitution fully made by
Nigerians.
• It brought British political interference and
influence in Nigeria to an end.
DISADVANTAGES/ PROBLEMS / WEAKNESS OF
REPUBLICAN CONSTITUTION

• Only the legislative and executive arms of government

were used effectively.
• No supremacy of the constitution but supremacy of the
parliament.
• It permitted ‘carpet-crossing’ in which elected
politicians shifted party allegiance for personal
rewards.
• The prime minister was accountable to the parliament
and not to the people.
• The President was elected by the National Assembly
who constituted the minority instead of the majority of
the electorates.
 ASSIGNMENT
1. Mention five Nigerians that fought for our
independence.
2. Who was the first president of Nigeria and
when?
3. Who was the first prime minister of Nigeria and
when?
4. Where was the first capital of Nigeria before the
amalgamation in 1914?
5. Mention five political parties we have in Nigeria.