Distinguish between the 1963 Constitution and 1979 Constitution of Nigeria.

Explanation

Factors which distinguish between the 1963 Constitution and 1979 Constitution of Nigeria.

(i) The 1963 Republican Constitution provided for parliamentary or cabinet system of government while the 1979 constitution made provision for presidential / executive system.

(ii) In 1963, the real executive powers were vested in the council of ministers headed by the prime minister while all executive powers were vested in the president under the 1979 Constitution.

(iii) In the 1963 Constitution, there was difference between Head of State and Head of government as well as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

(iv) In the 1963 Constitution, some members of the legislature were also members of the executive, but in 1979, members of the executive were not members of the legislature.

(v) Collective responsibility of the cabinet to the legislature was a common feature of the 1963 Constitution while in the 1979 Constitution, ministers were personally responsible to the president.

(vi) In the 1963 Constitution, there was no uniform local government system while the 1979 Constitution provided for a uniform local government system.

(vii) The 1963 Constitution provided for bicameral legislature in the states while 1979 constitution made provision for unicameralism in the states.

(viii) The 1963 Constitution had no fixed number of terms for the office of the president and prime minister (a term was five years) but in the 1979 Constitution, the president was limited to two terms of four years each.