LECTURE NOTE

FOR

GSE 223 (Citizenship Education)

COMPILED & ARRANGED

BY

MAKINDE TAIWO A.

For NCE Students

OF
TAI SOLARIN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TASCE) OMU IJEBU.
DIRECTORATE OF EXTERNAL PART TIME PROGRAMME (DICEP),
IPERU STUDY CENTRE.

Copyright 2019.
This lecture note is a collection of materials from different sources. Therefore, no part of the
material protected by this copyright notice may be reproduced in any form for any purpose
withoutthe permission of the compiler.

Makinde T.A. (NCE, B.Sc.Ed, M.Sc.).

Phone Number: (08032321869, 08086868376)
E-mail: makindetaiwo2009@gmail.com
 COURSE OUTLINE/CONTENT
CITIZENSHIP: the concept of citizenship education, the role of citizenship education, types of
citizenship, Nigerian citizenship.
FEDERATION: Concept of federation, structure of Nigeria federal system, relationship of
various units of federal system, federal, state, local and Federal Capital Territory, other
federations (comparative study)
GOVERNMENT: concept, system of government, electoral process in Nigeria (Electoral
commission and political parties, forms of government.

RIGHTS AND OBLIGATION: Concept of right and obligation, fundamental rights,

responsibility and duties of Nig. Government.

ARMS OF NIG. GOVERNMENT: Executive, legislative and judiciary.

NATIONAL IDENTITY: concept of national identity, symbols of national identity.

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 CHAPTER ONE
THE CONCEPT OFCITIZENSHIP AND NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP
MEANING OF CITIZENSHIP
A citizen is a permanent member of a country. It can also be defined as a
person who owes allegiance to his/her state, subject to certain limitations
imposed by age, sex, or other conditions. A citizen possesses complete civil
and political rights. His rights and duties are thus usually more extensive
than those of other persons within the jurisdiction of his state, such as aliens.
Citizenship therefore refers to the true and legal members of a country.
Indeed, citizenship refers to membership of a country with full political and
social rights to enjoy coupled with duties and obligations to fulfil in such
country (O. J. Nwanyawuet’al, 1998). It also connotes the dynamic relation
between a citizen and his/her nation. The concept involves rules a citizen
might or might not observe such as casting a vote (franchise), paying taxes
(civic duty) and pledging allegiance (Kanmi Abimbola et’al, 1998).

TYPES OF CITIZENSHIP AND THEIR CONDITIONS

There are three major ways by which a person can acquire Nigerian
citizenship. They are citizenship by:

(a) birth;

(b) registration and

(c) naturalization.

CONDITIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH

We acquire Nigerian citizenship by birth if:

(a) any of our parents is a Nigerian citizen;

(b) any of our grandparents is a Nigerian citizen.

CONDITIONS FOR CITIZENSHIP BY REGISTRATION

Subject to the provision of 1999 constitution as amended, a person can

acquire Nigerian citizenship by registration if:

(a) in the case of a woman who is married to a citizen of Nigeria and

(b) in the case of a child, the child is adopted by a citizen of Nigeria

according to the law of adoption in Nigeria.
The conditions under which these group of persons can be accepted or
registered as Nigerian citizens are the following:

(a) They must be of good character;

(b) they must show intention or the desire to live in Nigeria and

(c) they must show allegiance to the Nigerian constitution by taking the

Oath of allegiance as prescribed in the schedule of Nigerian constitution.

CONDITIONS FOR ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION

Any person who wishes to become a Nigeria citizen by Naturalization can

apply to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria if the following
conditions can be met:

1. he/she must be full of age and capacity: i.e he/she must have
attained the age not less than 18 years and should be capable of
contributing to the development of Nigeria;
2. he/she must be of good character and must have spent at least 15
years in Nigeria before he/she can apply for citizenship;
3. he/she should show a clear intention to continue to reside in Nigeria
till he/she dies and
4. he/she should renounce his/her former citizenship at a time.

WITHDRAWAL OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship of Nigeria can be withdrawn at any time by the President of the

Federal republic of Nigeria who is the only person empowered by the
Constitution to do so. This does not apply to citizenship by birth.

DEPRIVATION OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can deprive a naturalized

citizen of his citizenship for the following reasons:

1. If the President is convinced beyond reasonable doubt that such a

person has been imprisoned for at least three times within seven years
of being granted a certificate of Naturalization as a Nigerian Citizen;
2. if the person has during any war whether civil or external in which
Nigeria is engaged, unlawfully traded with the enemy in such a way
that can lead to the defeat of Nigeria in the war. Such a naturalized
citizen can be deprived of his/her citizenship by the President;
3. if the person is found to be disloyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria
either by his utterances or action and he/she is proven guilty by either

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 the law court or special tribunal, such a naturalized citizen can be
deprived of his/her citizenship. Any act of disloyalty that goes contrary
to the Oath of allegiance that such a person sworn to at the time
he/she was granted Nigerian Citizenship;
4. if a naturalized Nigerian serve as spy or give out very sensitive or
classified and important secret information on Nigeria which can
jeopardize or hurt the interest of Nigeria, such a person can be
deprived of his/her Nigerian Citizenship.

In all these conditions, only the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
can exercise the power of depriving anyone of his/her Nigerian Citizenship.

BENEFITS OF NIGERIAN CITIZENSHIP

As Nigerian citizens, we enjoy a number of things that those who are not
citizens do not enjoy. These things are benefit to us as Nigerians. Some of
the benefits are socio-cultural, economic political benefits and fundamental
rights.

SOCIO-CULTURAL BENEFITS

These are benefits we enjoyed daily. We have identity as Nigerians. We call

ourselves Nigerians which people of other countries cannot claim. Schools
colleges and universities are alsoestablished for us to train both young and
old. The schools are made free (Primaries and Secondaries) and when we
have to pay fees, we pay less than what others people pay. Clinics, health
centres and hospitals are also built for us and again they are free and where
we have to pay, we pay very little. Various entertainment places are built
where cultural display are held to promote our cultural heritage e.g National
Theatre Iganmu Lagos, June12 Cultural centre Kuto Abeokuta.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

These are benefits that help us in our daily economic activities. For example,
electricity is provided for us at home, offices and in our industries to provide
goods and services. Roads are constructed to make transportation and
movement easier for all citizens. Housing estates are put up in many places
to ease accommodation

problems. Jobs and employment facilities are made available and restricted
to Nigerians in most cases. Pension is another provision that is made for
Nigerian to cater for them at old age. There is also the policy of government
whereby certain types of jobs or economic activities can only be operated by
Nigerians. These activities include trading, buying and selling of cocoa and
other agricultural produce, upstream and downstream oil sector.

POLITICAL BENEFITS

These benefits include the fact that it is only citizen that can vote and be
voted for, to become leader in Nigeria. The external benefits that come to us
as citizen of Nigeria are also numerous. These external benefits include that
of identity. This is shown by the passport or the identity card that we old
anytime we travel out of Nigeria. The fact that we are Nigerians also give us
protection abroad.

Our embassies provide us with the assistance and protection that we may
need in these foreign countries. As citizen, we can be elected or appointed to
represent the country outside Nigeria e.g the appointmentsof Chief Emeka
Anyaoku as the Secretary General (Former) of Commonwealth Nations,
Professor Ibrahim Gambari as Nigerian Representative (former) at the United
Nations and Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina as the President of African Development
Bank (AFDB) in 2015 (still occupying the position till date)just to mention a
few. Non-Nigerian cannot be given such a chance to represent Nigeria. We
also receive sponsorship by our government for positions in international
organizations like ECOWAS, OAU and United Nations. For example, Nigeria is
the current President of United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in person
of Mohammed Bande, the position he assumed in October, 2019.

In addition to those benefits enumerated above, a Nigerian citizen enjoys all

fundamental rights such as right to life, freedom of thought, religion and
conscience, right to privacy, right to move freely in any part of the country,
freedom of association, freedom of expression and the press e.t.c.

SUMMARY

It has been noted in this chapter that citizenship is the term by which we
express the status of individuals who possess full political rights. The three
major types of citizenship in Nigeria are citizenship by birth, registration and
naturalization. Anybody who wishes to acquire citizenship by registration
must fulfil certain conditions after which an oath of allegiance will be sworn
to.Also, any person who wants to acquire a certificate of Naturalization as a
citizen of Nigeria will fulfil certain conditions and must have resided or
stayed in Nigeria for a particular period of time. The withdrawal or
deprivation of Nigerian citizenship is the sole authority of the President of the

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Federal Republic of Nigeria. Citizens to whom so many rights and privileges
are given by the government are also expected to carry out certain duties for
and to fulfil certain obligations to the state.

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS
1a. List the condition for acquiring citizenship by naturalization.
b.On what grounds can such citizenship be withdrawn?
2. What are constitutional requirements to be a Nigerian citizen?
3. What are the benefits of being a Nigerian citizen?
4a. On what conditions can the acquired citizenship be deprived?
b. Who has the constitutional power to withdrawn or deprived the acquired
citizenship?

CHAPTER TWO
FEDERATION
CONCEPT OF FEDERATION
Federation applies to a system of government in which a political power is
divided or shared between central or national authority and other smaller
political units. The shared powers are often enshrined in the constitution.
While the central authority is often referred to as the Federal government,
the smaller political units can be the states, local governments, provinces or
local authorities. Although each of them is independence in the exercise of
power provided for them in the constitution of the country; yet the activities
of central and smaller authorities are complementary and coordinated.
Examples of such countries are Nigeria, Brazil, Canada, USA, India,
Switzerland e.t.c.
 FEDERATION OF NIGERIA

The territory of the Federal Republic of Nigeria consists of the former

British Colony of Nigeria. Nigeria came into being in 1914 when the two
protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were amalgamated under
the Governorship of Sir Fredrick Lord Lugard (Udo, 1981). She adopted a
republican constitution but remained a member of British Commonwealth.
The remains of British rule are to be seen today in every aspect of Nigerian
life; such as economy, social, political and educational. All these are
patterned after those of the British. The official language (Lingua Franca) is
English and this is likely to remain unchanged.
Today, Nigeria is divided for administrative purposes into six geo-political
zones (South-South (6), South-East (5), South-West (6), North-Central (6),
North-East (6) and North-West (7)) of 36 states and 774 local governments
with its new capital at Abuja. The Federal capital was created in Abuja and a
Federal Capital Development was established to plan and organize the
transfer to the new capital. This materialized with the movement of General
Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (Rtd.) in 1992 to Abuja.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is by far the most populous country in Africa
and the most populous black nation in the world with current population
estimate of about 200 million people. It had a population of about fifty-six
(56) million in 1963, while this increased to over 71 million in 1973. In 1991
however, our population according to the census figure by National
Population Commission (NPC) stood at 88.5 million, in 1996 it stood at about
100 million (Udo, 1987). 2006 head-count figure shows that our population
has increased and it stood at 140,431,790 (male (71,345,488 and female
69,086,302). If we accept the United Nations estimated population of Africa
to be 344 million in 1970, it means that out of every five Africans, at least
one person is a Nigerian.

STRUCTURE OF NIGERIAN FEDERAL SYSTEM

It should be noted that the first six years of independence was a period of
Considerable uncertainty born out of suspicion and fear of domination of
the country by particular ethnic groups. These series of political crises and
events which led to the Military coup of 1966 led by General Aguiyi Ironsi
(Late) and the bloody civil war of 1967 – 1970 can be traced to these fears.

However, the creation of twelve states in 1967 by the military regime of Gen.
Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) was aimed at removing these fears and establishing a
state political entity. This aim he noted has been largely achieved
particularly after the creation of seven more states in 1976 by the Muritala
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Mohammed administration with additional two and nine states were created
in 1988 and 1991 respectively by General Ibrahim Babangida. Six additional
states were also created from the six geo-political zones of the country on
1st October, 1996 by Late Gen. Sanni Abacha.

Today, we have 768 local governments across the 36 states and 6 area
councils in Abuja (FCT) making 774 local governments in the country. The
present situation in Nigeria coupled with the bitter experiences of the civil
war tend to suggest that no section of the country may secede in future.
Although, some ethnic groups have been making such call recently due to
alleged marginalization such as calling for secession by the Igbo ethnic
groups under the umbrella of Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group may intensify on their call if by May 29th 2023 Igbo person is not
sworn-in as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. But due to the
position we hold in Africa and being the most populous black nation in the
world coupled with some historical facts, we are better together as Nigeria
than being a divided entity. In view of the above, a lot still need to be done
to make the various ethnic group or people of Nigeria think of themselves as
Nigerians first rather than as separate groups.

POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA

For ease of governance, there are three tiers of government in Nigeria,

namely: Federal; State and Local governments. The first general election
held in Nigeria after the civil war took place between July 7 and August 11
1979. The 1979 new constitution that evolved took after the American model
with an executive President elected for four years period at first term and
another four years if re-elected for the second term making a total of eight
years. Another feature of the constitution was the position made for a
Federal House of Senate and House of Representatives (National Assembly),
elected state governors, and state house of assemblies.

According to Barbour (1982), “A distinctive feature of the constitution

intended to reduce the previous dependence of political parties on particular
ethnic groups and regions, was the order to be registered, a party had to
prove that it was active at least two thirds of the state of the federation…”
The five registered political party during 1979 Presidential elections are as
follows:

S/N POLITICAL PARTY PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES

 1 National Party of Nigeria (NPN) Alh. Shehu Shagari
2. Nigeria People’s Party (NPP) Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
3. Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) Alh. Aminu Kano
4. Great Nigerian Peoples Party (GNPP) Alh. Waziri Ibrahim
5. Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The NPN won the election but the regime was terminated on December 31st,
1983 in a bloodless coup led by Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (Rtd). Another
attempt at democratic rule was made on June 12, 1993 when presidential
election took place. Two candidates contested for the election, namely Late
Chief M.K.O Abiola of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Alhaji Bashir
Tofa of National Republican Convention (NRC). Although Chief M.K.O. Abiola
won the election by polling 8,341,309 and his counterpart from NRC polled
5,952,087 (Wikipedia.org, 2019), but the result was annulled by General
Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd).

Another transition programme was in place in 1996 when five political

parties registered, they are:

S/N POLITICAL PARTY

1. United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP)
2. National Centre Party of Nigeria (NCPN)
3. Democratic Party of Nigeria (DPN)
4. Grassroot Democratic Movement (GDM)
5. Committee for National Consensus (CNC)

Election into Local Government took place throughout the Federation on

Saturday 15th March 1997.

However, the death of General Sanni Abacha in June 8th, 1998 led to
emergence of Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar who deem it fit to restore Nigeria
back to path of democracy conducted General elections in February 1999
and former military president Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo of People Democratic
Party (PDP) won the election with 18,738,154 votesand defeated his
counterpart from All Peoples Party (APP which form alliance with another
political party Alliance for Democracy (AD)) Chief OluFalae who polled
11,110,287 votes, invalid/blank votes (431,611) (en.m.wikipedia.org, 1999).
Olusegun Obasanjo became the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
by taken over from Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (who voluntarily handed over

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power to the civilian) on Saturday 29th May 1999 which gave birth to the
current democratic dispensation (the 4th republic).

Over 70 political parties took part in 2019 Presidential election and the
election was won by the incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari of All
Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 15,191,847 by defeating his closest
rival Former Vice-President Atiku Abubarka of Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) with 11,262,978 votes (BBC NEWS, 2019).

RELATIONSHIP OF VARIOUS UNITS OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM:

FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND FEDERAL CAPITAL
TERRITORY

The relationship between the federal government, state, the state, the local
governments and the federal capital territory is that of interdependence and
complimentary roles. While the federal government coordinates all national
programmes from the centre, the smaller political units perform their
statutory functions as assigned to them in the constitution. However, there
are exclusive, concurrent and residual rights of each of the political units. For
instance, all matters relating to national interest like external affairs,
defence, telecommunication, currency, police and internal affairs
(Immigration, custom and correctional service (formerly prison service)) are
the exclusive rights of the federal government. On the other hand, issues
concerning education, health, road maintenance and revenue generation are
on the concurrent list rights of all tiers of government (The constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended). The bulk of revenue to all
the tiers of government are derivable from the national revenue that is being
shared every month based on the approved formula. However, special grants
on specific projects of national interest such as health, water and rural
development are often given by the federal government to other tiers of
government.

Each of the three tiers of government has its own autonomous public service
and corporation in line with the objectives of the constitution. On judicial
matter, the supreme court adjudicate over matters of national interest while
the state has magistrate and high courts. Equally there are customary courts
at the local government level. Most time where the local government interest
clashes with that of state, it is often decided in favour of the state. On the
other hand, if the interest of the state conflicts that of the federal
government, it is often decided in the favour of the federal government.
Indeed, while the smaller political units havethe constitutional autonomy and
power, yet they have to be exercised with regard to national interest and in
relation to national philosophies and objectives as enshrined in the concept
of federalism.

OTHER FEDERATIONS (COMPARATIVE STUDY)

Apart from Nigeria, other countries that operates federal system of

government include United States of America (U.S.A), Canada, Argentina,
Brazil, Switzerland, Malaysia, India e.t.c. one basic common feature of these
federated countries is that they operate rigid-written constitution which
make provisions for constitutional powers and authorities to be shared
between two or more tiers of government. The constitution is so supreme
and it divides political power between the central government, the states,
local governments of local authorities and provinces. The constitution also
forbid secession. The difference that can be found among the federations are
in the area of number of items that are included on the exclusive list,
concurrent list and residual list rights; the number of states and local
authorities. For instance, in U.S.A., the control of police is a state affair,
whereas in Nigeria, it is a national affair. Equally, while U.S.A has 50 states,
Nigeria has 36 states. Also, while U.S.A has districts as her local authorities,
Nigeria has local governments with some states having Local Council
Development Authorities (LCDA’s) states like Lagos, Ogun, Oyo,e.t.c.

SUMMARY

In this chapter, federation is defined as a system of government that allows

for division of power and authority between the central administration and
other smaller administrative units. The federation of Nigeria was British-
created and its structure involves division of power between the federal,
state and local governments. Currently, Nigeria has 36 states, 774
constitutionally recognized localgovernments with LCDA’s in some states and
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)at Abuja. The relationship between the
three tiers of government are in the areas of revenue sharing, national
programme and interests as well as other things that are provided for in the
constitution. Other countries that operates federalism like Nigeria are U.S.A,
Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Switzerland, Malaysia, India e.t.c.

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. Define the concept of federation and explain the Nigeria federal structure.

2. Examine the relationship that exist between the three tiers of government
in Nigeria.

3. Would you agree that Nigeria’s federal structure was British created?

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4. Compare and contrast Nigeria’s federal structure with that of other
federations in the world.

CHAPTER THREE
SYSTEM AND FORMS OF GOVERNMENT
BACKGROUND
Every society has a government which makes it possible for the
day-to-day activities of the society to be undertaken. During the
pre-colonial era, each ethnic group in Nigeria had its own
government. The traditional rulers,village heads, family heads
and age groups e.t.c. perform some of the functions which the present-day
government performs. Colonialism changed the entire political system.
Nigeria became independence on October 1st 1960 and adopted the
parliamentary form of government until when army took over power on
January 15th, 1966. Nigeria adopted the presidential form of government
during the second republic in October 1, 1979 to December 31, 1983. Since
then Nigeria is being ruled by military governments. In May 29th, 1999
(emergence of the 4th republic) when government was returned to civilian
by the military, Nigeria continued with the presidential system of
government till date.
This chapter will shed light into the meaning of government, its functions,
system of governments: confederacy; unitary and federal forms of
government and its representation i.e Presidential and parliamentary forms.
Diarchy and Triarchy will also be mentioned. The chapter shall be concluded
with the discussion on electoral process in Nigeria.
MEANING OF GOVERNMENT
Government generally refers to a body of person and institution or agencies
that carry out the day-to-day activities in a given society. Nnoli (1986)
defined government as that agency of the society which is charged with the
responsibility of exercising power on behalf of the whole society. In the
course of its existence and the exercise of its functions. Government
develops certain structures and various institutions through which its
members operate. These ‘institutions or agencies’ refer to the organ of
government. The executive legislature and the judiciary. The term
‘government’ is sometime used in a generic sense to embrace these three
organs.
RELEVANCE OF GOVERNMENT
Government is important because of the following functions it perform.
1. The maintenance of law and order in the society: This is usually
done by the use of the police, the judiciary, the correctional service
(formerly prisons). When the police is unable to do its job, the armed
forces are called in. For example, Boko Haram insurgency in the North-
East Nigeria, banditry in the North-West and kidnapping in the South-
West, Niger-delta avengers and pipeline vandalization in the South-
South, farmer-herdsmen clashes in the North-Central and IPOB
secession in the South-East.
2. Making of regulations governing the activities of all members
of the society:The legislature debates and passes laws. The military
regimes formulate and impose decrees. In this way the population is
made aware of what is adjusted to be acceptable behavior.
3. Pattern maintenance through “tension management”: It seeks
to resolves all the conflicts in the society in such a way that they do
not get out of hand and cause severe difficulties for the hegemony
(influence/dominance) of the ruling class.
4. The distribution ofthe materials reward of production to the
people inthe form of social amenities and welfare services: Of
course, the government plays a crucial role through its policy on wages
and incomes, in deciding the material rewards of production at work
place. By its tax and revenue policies, it is able to redistribute the
incomes of the people and the benefits they derive from production.
The government may organize free education, free health-care
services, generous and beneficial social security system and
compensation for injury at the place of work as well as adequate
benefits and facilities for old age and child care.

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 5. The government represents the state within the world
community of states (International relations): This task is done in
two ways:
(i) to ward off the designs of foreign ruling classes and their
societies against the security of the domestic society, against the
lives, property and freedom of the domestic population and
against the territorial integrity of the country.
(ii) To procure as cheaply as possible external resources urgently
and vitally needed for activities in the country but which are
lacking locally or which are very expensive to produce locally
and to ensure that foreigners do not cart away local resources on
detrimental terms against the interest of the domestic society.
In the performance of these external functions, the government usually
seeks to increase the international prestige of its country and extend itself
internationally through the integration of its activities and policies with those
of others.
SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
Three commonly identified system of government in modern times are
Confederacy, Unitary and Federal system of government.

CONFEDERACY OR CONFEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Confederacy or confederal system of government is the type of government
with a weak centre or loose federation. Under this system of government,
the component states have greater power than the central authority which
exists at the will of the component units. The role of the central government
is generally that of supervisor or co-ordination of previously agreed essential
or co-operative services.
CHARACTERISTICS OF CONFEDERAL GOVERNMENT
The following are the characteristics of confederal system of government
1. The central authority has a few services to perform e.g
telecommunication, currency, foreign affairs e.t.c.
2. There is rival and conflicts among the component states
3. There is right of secession
4. There is poor national consciousness and disunity.
The only time Nigeria came close to a confederal arrangement was by
Decree No. 7 of March 1967 which was attempted to implement the so-called
Agreement Decision in Aburi Ghana among Nigeria’s ‘warring military
leaders (Gen. Yakubu Gowon (Rtd.) and Late Col. Odumegwu Ojukwu) during
national crises preceeding the civil war.
Even though confederalism may be good for a country with intractable
problems of ethnicity like Nigeria because it offers the people of the
component states the opportunity to develop at their own rate by using their
resources by themselves, it has the following points against it:
a. Confederalism is the first dangerous step towards the disintegration of
Nigeria.
b. It will diminish the status of Nigeria in the comity of nations generally
and will deal irreparable damage to the country’s role in Africa.
c. It will create or intensify social tensions in inter-personal and inter-
group relations in the course of movement of people back to their pre-
colonial or ethnic hinterlands and thus raise the hardship of the people.
d. Confederalism is unrealistic and impracticable in the sense that it will
be difficult to peacefully get the component units within any proposed
confederal regions or zones to agree as units in the confederation.
UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
Unitary system of government is the opposite of confederacy. This is the
type of government where all the power in a country is vested or
concentrated in a central government. There is only one level of
government, the composite sub-units are subordinated to a central
government. Since independence, Nigeria has not had a unitary system if
government, even with the experience of more than two decades of military
rules. Britain, France, Italy and Ghana have unitary system of government.
ADVANTAGES OF UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
 Unitary state is stronger than a federal one because all governmental
powers are concentrated in the hands of a single set of authorities.
 The question of secession does not arise in unitary state.
 It is cheaper to run.
DISADVANTAGES OF UNITARY SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
 There is tendency to over burden the national legislature with too
many local problems
 There may be delay in dealing with problems since the system does
not encourage local initiative and interest in public affairs.
FEDERAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT
This is the type of government where authority and power are shared
between two levels of government, the central and the states or subunits.
Federalism is the constitutional compromise between confederal and unitary
system of government. There are several states sometimes called provinces
or regions sharing power and authority with a central government. Each level
of the government is constitutionally autonomous in the exercise of powers

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allocated to it. But there are also some functions and responsibilities over
which both levels of government have concurrent (joint) powers.
NnwayamwuO.J., Adetoro G.O &Ibikunle A.A (1998) quoted K.C
Wheare (1963) defined federalism as “The method of dividing powers so
that general and regional governments are each within a sphere co-ordinate
and independent”.
Nigeria adopts a federal system of government that has metamorphosized
from 3 (later 4) constituent units or regions in 1963 to 12 states 1967, 19 in
1976, 21 in 1987, 30 in 1991 and 36 in 1996 to date with a central
government at Abuja.
The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended shared
authority and power between the central government and the various state
into Executive list, Concurrent list and Residual list.
All the power and functions in the exclusive list are performed by the central
or federal government only. Some of the item on the exclusive list includes:
currency,defence, external affairs, aviation, immigration, customs, mining
e.t.c.
Powers and functions in the concurrent list are exercised by the federal and
state government jointly. These items include: health, education, agriculture,
roads, communication e.t.c. But on the event of any conflict in the exercise
of concurrent power, the decision of the federal government would override
that of the state government.
The powers and functions in the residual list are only exercised by the state
government. Items here include those items which are neither in exclusive
nor the concurrent lists.
REASON FOR FEDERATION
Countries may adopt federal system of government because of the following
reasons:
1. Geographical Contiguity: The nearness of people to one another in
spatial term is an inducement to evolving a federal system of
government. The reason informed the Nigerian Nationalists to
embrace Federalism during independence.
2. Fear of Insecurity: Fear of conquest by external forces induces
nation-state to form themselves into unions. The fear of domination by
minorities helped to keep the federation of Nigeria intact.
3. Economic and Administrative Reason: Economic and
administrativeadvantages like pooling of human and material
resources, development of large common markets, free trade/removal
of tariffs, common currencies e.t.c. act as an inducement of
federalism.
 4. Ethnic and Cultural factor: Countries that have problems of
ethnicity such as Nigeria may decide to adopt a federal system of
government as a solution to the problem. Under federalism, the
different groups would have the opportunity to practice their various
culture without hinderance.
5. Historical Association and Similarity of Political Institution:
Previous political association enables the people to acquire some
common values and norms which act as an inducing factor in
federation. For example, in Nigeria, the Northern, Western and
Eastern regions decided to remain in a federal system on attainment
of political independence in 1960 because of the close tie they have
established during the colonial period.
Therefore, there was desire for a union among the three regions because of
their common experience and heritage.
FORMS OF GOVERNMENT AND REPRESENTATION
Modern democracy has found expression in two major forms or types
government the cabinet and the presidential forms. Of course, there are
other forms of democratic government such as the French presidential form
which do not fall strictly in line with these two. There are also other forms of
government propounded by some political scientist like Diarchy and Triarchy.
Nevertheless, presidential and cabinet forms are the most influential in
shaping the political system of most countries including Nigeria.
PRESIDENTIAL FORM OF GOVERNMENT
A presidential form of government is that form of government where both
the executive and non-executive powers of a state is vested in an individual
known as the president, who is the Chief Executive. Examples of countries
that practice a presidential form of government are United States of America
(U.S.A.), Nigeria, Ghana, Gambia e.t.c.
CHARACTERISTICS OF PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT
Under the presidential government, there is only one single leader called the
president who combines both ceremonial and executive functions. The
president is both the Head of State and the head of government. The
president is elected and responsible to the people and appoints members of
his cabinet who are responsible to him.
The principle of collective responsibility is totally absent. The president takes
full responsibility of whatever happens, good or bad. The parliament cannot
ask the president to resign from office before his term expires. They can only
impeach him on ground of misconduct proved against him.

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There is a marked or complete separation of power in the presidential form.
The president is not a member of parliament and he/she is not responsible or
accountable to it.
The president is the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and he can
declare war and make peace treaties though with the approval of the
parliament.
ADVANTAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT
A presidential form of government has the following advantages:
1. Decision taking is easier since it is for one person to take decision as
opposed to that to be taken by a group.
2. The president received the glory of work well done and the blame for
work badly done since all the ministers are working for him. It is easy
to locate work done and the work undone since the man is ruling.
3. The presidential system of government ensures the principle of
separation of powers.
DISADVANTAGES OF PRESIDENTIAL GOGERNMENT
The presidential form of government has the following disadvantages:
1. It can lead to dictatorship
2. It may be dangerous to leave millions of people to the wisdom and
intelligence of a single man/woman. For example, if the person
happens to be quick tempered or very slow in taking decisions, he
would likely make serious mistakes which may ruin the nation.
3. A rigid application of the America presidential form of government with
its complete separation of power between the legislative and executive
branches has not produced very good result in countries with different
political cultures like Nigeria.
4. It is expensive to run.
CABINET (PARLIAMENTARY)FORM OF GOVERNMENT
A cabinet form of government is that form where the governmental power is
shared between two persons. Namely the Head of State and the Head of
Government. The Head of State is often referred to as the President,
Monarch, King or Queen, Governor-General while the Head of government is
often addressed as the Prime Minister. The Head of State performs the
ceremonial functions while the Head of government performs the executive
functions. The system is being practice in Britain and it was practice in
Nigeria during the first Republic.
ADVANTAGES OF CABINET FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The main points in support of cabinet (parliamentary form of government are
as follows:
1. In a parliamentary form, a change of government by legitimate means
is possible even before a government complete its normal term. Thus,
providing the opportunity to stop a bad government before it destroys
the political system.
2. The cabinet is fully and regularly accountable to the elected
representatives of the people since each minister is an elected
member of the parliament. This has the advantage of making the
cabinet constantly responsive to the wishes of the electorate through
their representatives.
3. The principle of collective responsibility ensures co-operation among
the members of the cabinet
4. The parliamentary form of government is cheaper and less
sophisticated for a developing country like Nigeria.
DISADVANTAGES OF CABINET FORM OF GOVERNMENT
1. The distinction between Head of State and the Head of government
which is the critical element of the cabinet form of government is
difficult to maintain in the light of African political experiences and
history. To be a Head of State and be regarded as a figure head is
regarded as Un-African.
2. The separation of a Head of state from a Head of Government in a
parliamentary form often result in a clash of personalities and
interests. The controversy between the late Prime Minister, Abubakar
Tafawa Balewa and the former President late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, over
the 1964 election is a good example within Nigeria political history.
3. The parliamentary form of government is inherently unstable,
considering the known behavior of Nigerian politician to be easily
persuaded to change positions on critical issues.
4. It is not easy to constitutionally limit the tenure of office of a Prime
Minister in a parliamentary system of government. The Prime Minister
could be in power for a life time, as long as he is the leader of his
political party.

DIARCHY AND TRIARCHY

Diarchy was propounded by Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe as a form of government
whereby there is a mixture of the military and civilians in the government.
Whereas, Triarchy is a system whereby there is a farrago of military,
traditional rulers and popularly elected civilians included in government.

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Azikiwe’s argument was that the military has become a permanent feature of
Nigeria’s politics, therefore a system should be devised to accommodate
them in politics for there to be stability.
REASONS FOR SUPPORT OF DIARCY AND TRIARCHY
1. The notion that the Nigerian military is apolitical is false. In the
Nigerian army, it is an established practice that promotions beyond the
rank of major are done by the politically influenced military council.
Furthermore, the case for military intervention in politics has been
political.
2. The reality of the situation is that between 1960 and 1999, Nigeria has
civilian administration for only nine years. Since the military has tasted
power longer than civilians during the period, it would be unrealistic to
exclude them from exercising some executive responsibility in the
future government arrangements.
3. Traditional rulers are not only the unquestionable leaders of their
people but also a unifying force whose non-partisan role continues to
pay great dividends in minimizing hostility and maintaining peace and
unity among people with divergent political beliefs. In short, traditional
leadership provides the necessary stability in government.
ELECTORAL PROCESSES IN NIGERIA
The Clifford constitution of 1922 ushered Nigeria into an era of democratic
practice through the ‘Elective Principle’ which provided for an Executive
council of all official members and allocated 3 elective seats to Lagos, 1 seat
to Calabar in the legislative council. The right to vote (Franchise) was
restricted to the electorates of the two cities consisting of the adult males
who were British subjects or British-protected persons who has a residential
qualification of 12 months and a gross income of N100 per annum.
However, this electoral procedure which allowed a limited political
participation and representation continued until the 1951 and 1954
constitutions, when modifications were made. Much political activism took
place in the entire country in preparation for independence. The 1959
election returned elected representatives into both West, East and Northern
regional House of Representatives and on October 1, 1960 Nigeria became
independent. Since then till 1999, Nigeria has had two civilian governments.
The military has dominated almost the entire (more than two decades)
political history of Nigeria.
Today, Nigeria has transited to civilian rule in 1999 and since then many
political processes including elections are taken place at various levels and
at regular intervals.
Electoral system differs to a large extent according to political system, its
form of government and its political complexion. However, the actual
electoral processes in most political systems include the following:
registration of voters, nomination of candidates and political campaign.
These shall be discussed with reference to Nigeria.
REGISTRATION OF VOTERS
The right to participate in the political process is exclusively reserved for the
Nigerian citizens by the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria. One of
the necessary procedures for the participation in the electoral process
involves the registration of voters.
This is the process by which the names of eligible voters are compiled and
made ready for elections. In Nigeria ‘The Franchise (the right to vote and be
voted for) is extended only to adult citizens who are 18 years and above.
Moslem women were excluded from voting in Northern part of Nigeria until
during 1979 general election.
The following conditions are expected to be fulfilled by voters in order to
become eligible to vote:
1. The voter must not be a criminal in the prison or lunatic.
2. Citizenship: The voter must not be an alien or a foreigner. The voter
must be either a native born or a naturalized citizen.
3. Age Qualification: The voter must attain the minimum age required
by law. For example, in Nigeria one must attain the age of 18 years
before he/she can be allowed to vote.
4. Residential Qualification: Sometimes a voter may require by law to
live up to certain number of years like say 2 years in a particular place
where he/she want to vote. The reason is to make the voter be
accustomed with the problems and customs of the people where
he/she wants to vote.
5. Registration: Before any voter can qualify to cast his/her vote in
Nigeria, the voter must have registered during the voters’ registration
period. Secondly, the voter must have a voter’s card (permanent
voter’s card (PVC)) and the name must appear in the voters’ register in
the day of election.
NOMINATION OF CANDIDATES
This is another important procedure in the electoral process. It is the process
by which aspirants for political offices are made available for recruitment.
There are a variety of nomination processes which include party caucuses,
conventions and petition. In Nigeria, during the second and the aborted third

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Republics including the present fourth Republic, the caucuses and
convention processes of nomination were used.
A party caucus is a small secret meeting of elected leaders of the party for
the purpose of agreeing on what nominee and policies they support while a
nominating convention is an assembly of delegates picked in some ratio by
members of a party to represent them in the selection of the party
nominees.
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
This is the final processes that is undertaken before the actual voting takes
place. Political campaigns serve various purposes. It is during the electoral
campaign periods that most political parties and political leaders make
sustained efforts to enlarge their stock of legitimacy. The campaign periods
serve as a dependable and effective instrument of political education. It
offers key political leaders’ opportunity of educating the citizens on their
obligations to the state and various ways they can be involved in the political
processes. Political campaign also provides the political leaders with
opportunity for support of the masses.
ELECTION
Election is defined as the process or means through which the electorate
choose their representative into government positions. There are many types
of election but we shall isolate direct and indirect elections, open and secret
elections for discussion.
In direct elections, the country is divided into constituencies or electoral
districts and the electorates directly appoint representatives through voting
in their constituencies. This system was used in Nigeria for election of
officials during the Second Republic. Direct elections are more democratic
and does not succumb to corruption and bribery. They give the people the
opportunity to have direct say in the political process and also ensure that
those chosen to represent the people reflect the true wishes of the majority
of the electorate. However, in Nigeria direct election are susceptible to the
problem of rigging, political victimization/violence, corrupt officials,
inadequate security and finance.
On the other hand, indirect election is the type of election where the
electorate first of all elect a body of people who form the electoral college
and who are given the mandate to choose the final representatives who will
form the government on behalf of the people. Indirect election reduces
electoral heat and heavy campaign expenses and can be conducted quickly
and with very few difficulties.
 OPEN AND SECRET ELECTION
Open elections are conducted in the full view of all where candidates are
kept apart and voters are instructed to line up behind their chosen
candidates. The number of voters behind each candidate is taken, recorded
and the results announced. This system of election was adopted in Nigeria
during the aborted transition to Third Republic because of the extensive
abuse of the secret ballot system in Nigeria. In secret ballot system, some
election officials collide with political party agents and stuff the ballots into
the boxes of their party candidates in secrecy in the polling booth. There
were also cases of the party thugs who threw acid and other chemicals into
the ballot boxes of their opponents (Mackintosh 1986).
However, the then transition programme of Gen. Sanni Abachahas reverted
to a combined open and secret ballot system, once used in Nigeria in 1997.
In this system of voting only one ballot box is provided in each constituency
and in full view of all voters, ballot papers are given to voters to mark in
complete secrecy and to deposit in the ballot box in full view of all. At the
end of the polling, the votes are sorted out and counted, the results
announced and the winner returned elected.
SUMMARY
Government refers to a body of persons and institutions or agencies that
makes it possible for the day-to-day activities of any society to be
undertaken. Modern government is commonly identified by three systems of
government-confederal, unitary and federal and two major forms of
Representative namely the cabinet and presidential forms. However, there
are other forms of government which do not fall strictly in line with these
two, for example, the French presidential form.
Confederal is the system of government where the component units (states)
have greater power that the central authority which exist at the will of the
component units. Unitary system of government is the direct opposite of
confederal system. it is the system of government where all the power in a
country in concentrated in the central government (it is a one-level
government). But under the federal system of government, authority and
power are shared between the central government and the states or
subunits. Nigeria operates a federal system of government that has 36
constituents or states.
A presidential form of government exists where both the executive and non-
executive (ceremonial) powers of a state is vested in an individual known as
the president who is the Chief Executive. Nigeria practiced Presidential form
of government during Second Republic (1979 -1983) and the Fourth Republic

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(1999 till date). On the other hand, a cabinet form of government where the
government power is shared between two persons, namely, the Head of
State (President) and Head of government (Prime Minister). Nigeria practiced
cabinet form of government during the first republic.
In any democratic polity, electoral processes are carried out to ensure
recruitment and participation of people in politics. In Nigeria the electoral
process involves registration of voters, nomination of candidates’ political
campaign and elections.
TUTORIAL QESTIONS
1. Explain the reasons why Nigeria State cannot do without government.
2. State the characteristic features of the cabinet system
3. Why is confederal system of government an unpopular option for Nigeria?
4. Explain the factors that necessitated the formation of Nigeria federalism
5. What is election? Why is direct election difficult in Nigeria?
6. What steps have the Nigerian government taken to ensure a free and fair
election?

CHAPTER FOUR
RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF A CITIZENS IN NIGERIA
FUNDAMENTAL HUMAN RIGHTS OF CITIZENS
Fundamental human rightsare the anvil on which every citizen lives without
fear of the government or his fellow citizens. They are the laid down
conditions operating in a nation which every citizen enjoys. These rights are
the citizens legal entitlements in their nation in order to have peace and
stability, justice and fair play. In view of their importance, the 1999
constitution has made provisions for fundamental right of the citizens.

a. Right to life: This stipulates that no one shall be deprived

intentionally of his life except by sentence from the nation’s law courts
 when a person is found guilty of a criminal offence punishable by death
(section 32).
b. Right to dignity of human person: This means that every individual
is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person and accordingly no
person shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading
treatment, no person shall be held in slavery or servitude and no
person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour
(section 33)
c. Right to personal liberty: This is provided in section 34. It stipulates
that every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no
person shall be deprived of such liberty except in accordance with a
procedure permitted by law.
d. Right to fair-hearing: This is provided in section 35 which stipulates
that in the determination of his civil rights and obligations including
any question or determination by or against any government or
authority. A person shall be entitled to a fair hearing within a
reasonable time by a court or other tribunal established by law and
constituted in such manner as to secure its independence in
impartiality.
e. Right to private life: Section 36 stipulates that the privacy of
citizens, their homes, correspondence, telephone conversations and
telegraphic communications is guaranteed and protected.
f. Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (section):
This right stipulates that every person shall be entitled to freedom of
thought. Conscience and religion including freedom to change his
religion or belief and freedom to manifest and propagate his religion or
belief in worship, teaching, practice and observance. This right forbids
individuals from taking any religious instructions from any religion
other than his own or a religion not approved by his/her parents or
guardian.
g. Right to freedom of expression and press (section 38): This right
provides that every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression
including freedom to hold opinion and receive and impart ideas and
information without interference. Every person shall be entitled to own
established and operate any medium for the dissemination of
information, ideas and opinion.

There are also the rights to:

h. peaceful assembly and association (Section39)

i. freedom of movement (Section 40)

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 j. Freedom from discrimination (Section 41)

All these fundamental human rights are to be enjoyed by all Nigerians and
where any is breached either by the government or individuals, the
aggrieved goes to court for a redress.

It must be noted that there are certain conditions attached to these rights
and where any citizen breaches them, he them forfeits or be deprived of his
right for example, a person serving a jail term has been deprived of him
movement, freedom, liberty and privacy.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

No society can survive without a government. Hence, it is the duty of the

government to provide adequate welfare facilities and protection for the
people. This is highly manifested by the government in guaranteeing the
people’s fundamental human rights under the rule of law entrenched in the
constitution. The people constituted the power for the government.

Significantly the strength and orderliness of any nation depend upon the
extent to which the people perform their duties in order to aid the
government in her effective administration. These duties are the citizens
civic responsibilities. “Whereas, the state has conferred certain rights on
citizens, it has also imposed on them certain duties and obligations”. The
governments rules and regulations aimed at guaranteeing and protecting the
peoples’ right as well as enduring the welfare of the community. But the
peoples’ performance of these duties helps to bring about peace,
understanding, co-existence and stability in the nation. In so doing the nation
can better achieve its overall aims of creating the social political and
economic conditions from which all might benefits.

CITIZENS’ DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Payment of tax: It is very important on the part of the citizens to pay

their tax regularly and as and when due. Every government needs a lot of
money to pay for the cost of its administration, workers’ salaries, pipe borne
water supply, schools, colleges and tertiary institutions, health facilities and
primary health care, recreational centres, adequate communication facilities,
modern markets and industries to create job opportunities for the people. All
these projects need a lot of money to provide hence, the peoples’ tax is very
necessary. In view of this, government regards it as an offence on the part of
anybody or companies that evade tax payment. In short, every patriotic
citizen must pay his tax regularly and promptly.
2. Vote and be voted for: Every nation needs a government and the
people constitute the government as sovereignty belong to people. This
assertion is made true by election. No government can constitute itself
without the mandate from the people. Every good citizen should exercise
this civic right by voting in any election and could also be one of the
candidates to be voted for provided he accomplishes the laid down electoral
rules as stipulated in the Nigerian constitution 1999 as amended.

3. Defence of the Fatherland: Every patriotic citizen should defend his

fatherland by any means available to him especially as a soldier or a
nationalist. Nigeria was a colonial territory of England. Out of national
consciousness and patriotism, some heroes like Herbert Macaulay, Dr.
Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello-Sardauna of
Sokoto emerged to oppose colonial rule in Nigeria. They campaigned and
educated the masses on the evils of colonialism. They, in spite of their
religious, ethnic and political differences teamed up to fight a common
enemy and thereby brought freedom for Nigeria. These nationalists were not
soldiers, but they fought constitutionally to gain our independence. But
manyNigerian enrolled into the army as combatant soldiers who are
prepared to fight to defend Nigeria territorial integrity e.g in 1967 when
Nigeria could have divided into two nation due to secession, the Nigerian
gallant soldiers had to fight to keep Nigeria one, hence the Republic of Biafra
declared by the former Eastern Region became unaccomplished. These
Nigerian soldiers are heroes of Nigerian unity, they are patriots, many of
them lost their lives in order to keep Nigeria one. This is what Nigeria
expects all her citizens to do whether directly or indirectly to defend her in
any capacity, even in sport competitions. This many Nigerian sportsmen and
women have been able to accomplished.

4. Uphold the constitution: This means being law abiding. All citizens
must obey the laws of his fatherland because these laws are made to protect
and control the behavioural pattern of our life. Any society without laws and
values guiding it is destined to fall apart. Nobody should take the law into his
own hands, that is why there are law courts established for aggrieved
persons to seek justice. With obedience and loyalty to the constitutional laws
of our nations’ peace and stability will reign supreme.

5. Condemnation of poor leadership: In Nigeria there is the freedom

of expression as well as press freedom. This is entrenched in the Nigeria
constitution1999 as amended. With this every citizen has the right to voice
out his opinion on national matter, or give constructive criticisms on any

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error dictated. That is why people like late Tai Solarin, Wole Soyinka and late
Gani Fawehinmi are labelled “social critics”. They do not close their mouths
when wrongs are committed in the nation. They also alert the people just like
the newspapers which are the greatest medium of disseminating information
to the masses. Therefore, every good citizen should criticize any wrong going
detected in his fatherland as a way of showing his patriotism.

6. Exposing criminals: No society is perfectly clear. There are always

criminals who endanger the security of others. Today in Nigeria, crime wave
has reached its optimum. Crimes like armed robbery, forgery, counterfeiting
the Naira, Advance fee fraud(419), cocaine or hard drug pushing,
embezzlement of public fund and smuggling are very rampant. These
criminals live with other people who kwon them very well. It is then the duty
of every good citizen in Nigeria to expose these misfits to the law
enforcement agents for adequate punishment and thereby rid the society of
these evil doers. Landlords and prostitutes who harbour these evil men
should be made to realize the gravity of their collusion. But if these people
are exposed there will be peace and security of lives and property in our
society.

7 Other conventional ways of manifesting patriotism are

(a) Award scholarship to the needy and donate in development

launching for the development of the society e.g. promnent Nigeria
like late Bank Anthony, Late Bashorun M.K.O. Abiola, Alhaji Dantata,
Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedolae.t.c are great philanthropist whom
other Nigerians should emulate.
(b) Joining voluntary organizations like Boys’ Scout, Girls’ Guide, Red
Cross, Royal Club, St. John’s Ambulance and First Aiders. These
organizations render selfless services to the nation. They do not get
any monetary reward from the government rather they spend their
own money in trying to be our brother’s keepers.
(c) Finally, citizens should be dedicated in their duties or
responsibilities to the nation whether as soldier, teacher, medical
officer, judiciary personnel, e.t.c should be loyal and work according
to the ethics of their professions. Every citizen then should work
toward bringing pride, good name and progress to Nigeria rather
than working towards its downfall or disintegration.

GOVERNMENT DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To show the importance of the Government responsibilities to the people,
they are entrenched in Nigeria Constitution 1999 as amended thus:

1. The need to respect and uphold the provision of the constitution and
the people to whom sovereignty belongs.
2. To ensure democracy and social justice
3. To ensure primarily the security and welfare of the people
4. To ensure participation of the people in their government
5. To provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of
people, goods and service throughout the federation.
6. To ensure national integration and discourage discrimination
7. To control and manage the national economy in such a manner as to
secure maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on
the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity.
8. To ensure that citizens enjoy equality of rights obligations and
opportunities before the law
9. To ensure the independence, impartiality and integrity of court of law
and easy accessibility to justice
10. To ensure equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels
and shall as and when practicable provide free education at all levels.
11. To protect, preserve and promote the Nigerian culture which enhance
human dignity.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT

Other responsibilities of government include the following:

i. Provision of good leadership

ii. Creating job opportunities for the people
iii. Provision of social amenities
iv. Equitable distribution of national resources
v. Reward for hard work and punishment for crime.

SUMMARY

Citizenship in any nation entails the element of give ant take. While the
citizens contribute his own quota for the development of his nation, he at the
same time expects the government to provide those things that are beyond
his capabilities. The government is bigger than the people, it directs the
affairs of the nation and equally controls the welfare and development of the
people. It means then that the Government and the people are partners
progress to effect stable and a well-ordered society.

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 TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1. By the Nigerian constitution, every Nigerian citizen has certain rights.

Identify five of these rights and discuss them highlighting their
limitations.
2. Discuss the various ways by which a Nigerian forfeits his citizenship.
3. How can fundamental human rights be breached in Nigeria?
4. “A stable and well-ordered society is the concern of any government”.
How can the Nigerian government encourage this among the
Nigerians?
5. Discuss the ways by which an individualmanifest his nationalism and
patriotism in Nigeria.

COMBINED TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

1 List the condition for acquiring citizenship by naturalization.
2. On what grounds can such citizenship be withdrawn?
3. What are constitutional requirements to be a Nigerian citizen?
4. What are the benefits of being a Nigerian citizen?
5. On what conditions can the acquired citizenship be deprived?
6. Who has the constitutional power to withdrawn or deprived the acquired
citizenship?
7. Define the concept of federation and explain the Nigeria federal structure.
8. Examine the relationship that exist between the three tiers of government
in Nigeria.
9. Would you agree that Nigeria’s federal structure was British created?
10.Compare and contrast Nigeria’s federal structure with that of other
federations in the world.
11.Explain the reasons why Nigeria State cannot do without government.
2. State the characteristic features of the cabinet system
13.Why is confederal system of government an unpopular option
for Nigeria?
14.Explain the factors that necessitated the formation of
Nigeria federalism
15.What is election? Why is direct election difficult in Nigeria?
16.What steps have the Nigerian government taken to ensure
a free and fair election?
17.By the Nigerian constitution, every Nigerian citizen has
certain rights. Identify five of these rights and discuss them
highlighting their limitations.
18.Discuss the various ways by which a Nigerian forfeits his
citizenship.
19.How can fundamental human rights be breached in
Nigeria?
20.“A stable and well-ordered society is the concern of any
government”. How can the Nigerian governmentencourage this among the
Nigerians?
21.Discuss the ways by which an individual manifest his
nationalism and patriotism in Nigeria.
22.Describe the role of executive arm of government
23.Discuss the function of legislature
24.Why judiciary an important arm of government?
25.How is independent of judiciary safeguarded in Nigeria?
26.Why is it necessary for the judiciary to be independent of
other organs of government?
27.Define the concept of National identity
28.Explain the importance of national anthem and thepledge.
29.Identify five national symbols and discuss theirsignificance in
Nigeria.
30.Of what importance are the Nigeria Armed Forces and the
constitution as symbols of national unity?

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