STRIKER: Start With The Constitution

IF you can read and write, be thankful. For those who cannot, let those who can endeavour to help – through discussions, on what is read. Whereas there are countries, like Britain, that operate based on rules that are not written, our country operates based on rules that are clearly written down – The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

The Constitution is where everything begins, and usually ends. There are several other written rules according to how we must live in Nigeria but the constitution is the key one to which all of them must bow in the end. We will eventually go over the Criminal Code, the various State and Customary Laws, the Electoral Act and the INEC Guidelines but it is the Constitution that guides all of them and its provisions are superior whenever there is any quarrel on what is what or which is which.

Majority of citizens go through life without ever going through the Constitution. Interestingly, even majority of persons who hold public offices and make decision for us never go through it, some merely glance through. It is not a crime, and it might not matter, only lawyers and judicial leaders cannot afford not to. However, if you don’t just want to go through life lamenting about what is done right or wrong in your country, the first thing you should do as a starting point is to get a copy of your country’s Constitution and go through thoroughly. Whatever you don’t understand there, ask those you think can explain better.

We did not arrive at the present constitution suddenly and it is not what we have always been using as our Rule book. You should also know how we arrived at it. It can certainly also not be our last ever Constitution, a lot needs improvement there, and some say, we should even write a new one entirely. In any case, you must go through what we have as of today in order to even make any suggestion.

As for the history of our Constitution the way it has been changing since, here is a quick summary: Before Independence in 1960, there were five Constitutions: 1913 Constitution, which came into effect on January 1, 1914; and the 1922, 1946 (Richards), 1951 (Macpherson) and 1954 (Lyttleton) Constitutions; each with its own history, reasons, and what it was meant to achieve. From Independence till now, there were another five Constitutions: the 1960 Independence Constitution; 1963 Republic Constitution; 1979 Second Republic Constitution; 1993 Third Republic Constitution; 1999 Presidential Fourth Republic Constitution; all similarly with their history and what was amiss that they sought to correct. From 1979 onwards, our constitutions were modelled after the American Presidential system, with minor differences.

Whether you intend to follow the rules strictly, follow it only a little, or play outside the rules, which is not advised, it is in your best interest to know the rules first; otherwise, you are playing blindly and it becomes at best a risky gamble.

You don’t need to be searching around bookshops for a copy of the Constitution and all the other Rule books these modern days, everything is available on several platforms Online: just go to Google and search The Nigerian Constitution, and there you go with hundreds of options!

In conclusion, we are much given to agonising, and to rash actions even when we have legitimate points, rather than informed opinions and legal actions for seeking redress. That is simply not good enough, nor productive or progressive in the end. The beginning of a well-informed citizen opinion and action is a good understanding of the Constitution and all our other Rules books. Get it, read it, explain its content and spirit to others who can’t read, then base your actions for change and progress on it.

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not represent the opinions or views of OSUN DEFENDER.