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Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! - Politics (3) - Nairaland

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Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by debosky(m): 3:16am On Aug 06, 2007
I hear you babyosisi and PTH, but I still think the issue is more than a mere 'islamisation' of the country. Don't 'Christians' ( I use quotes cos that means different things to different people) also support 'decent' dressing? Don't some churches openly condemn trousers? Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand and refusing to see the hijabs coming, but I think there is more than the islamist thing that meets the eye in this case. The 'men' approving or in support of this action cannot all be muslims can they? Is 'decent' dressing in the country as a whole on the decline?
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by PTH(m): 3:26am On Aug 06, 2007
make i laugh first before answering this tool! grin grin grin grin

denex:

Okay, they are proven to have crude oil but have contributed zilch in terms of crude oil revenue.

At least they have a bargaining chip as against those who are both resource-empty and intellectually defficient.

denex:

I mentioned Uranium because you mentioned crude oil and bitumen.

grin grin grin You cant just go and start exporting uranium just like you would crude oil, it is strictly controlled. Forgotten the Valery Plame and Niger Republic affair?

denex:

I know it cannot be vaccinated or cured and can have very little treatment. However, it is still a very fatal malady. babyosisi, sickle-cell anaemia can affect anybody of African origin but the truth remains that the headquarters is in SouthWest Nigeria.

1. There is no cure for sickle cell, you can only alleviate symptoms. Well unless you do a bone marrow transplant.
2. It is a fatal malady just like scoliosis or down's syndrome. But unlike polio, they are not borne by pathogens.

denex:

For those of you giving me lessons in integrated science, that is what happens to you when you have little knowledge.

I majored in Animal Science, Agriculture and one of my final year courses was Animal Breeding which had to do with Gene Mutation and Lethal Genes, Statistical studies of inheritance, genetic variance and covariance, heritability and repeatability, also, the determination of genetic parameters.
So if you know what is good for your life, stop giving lectures on what you know little because those who don't know at all are better than those who know as little as you do when it comes to Genetics.

grin grin grin grin grin grin grin grin grin grin cheesy cheesy cheesy cheesy cheesy Is that why you compared sickle cell disease to polio?

denex:

By the way, PTH, it is you who should shut up because there is a reason why cattle rearers move with their cattle to the North during the rainy reason. No come here dey yarn things wey you no know jack about. Tse-tse flies that transmit Trypanosomiasis thrives only in forest type areas. So please shut up and tell your webbsite to shut up too.

kai! na wa for ignorance. tse tse flies are grouped into three based on morphology and DISTRIBUTION.
there are:
- savannah flies
- forest flies
- riverine flies!

the northern part of Nigeria happens to be a savannah.

Who should shut up now? grin
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 3:28am On Aug 06, 2007
@ debo,I was in Nigeria a few months ago and I didn't see women running around unclothed.
It's one thing for a church to condemn trousers and another thing for it to arrest those who wear it and call them criminals.

Who do these men think they are?
why is it always the women folk that has to suffer in the hands of these "men without balls"
aren't there men walking around with no shirts exposing their chest hairs,tight shorts and pants,why are we not bothered about this?
what of men that urinate on street corners? and force us to turn away or mechanics with holes in their pants?

why are our men pursuing shadow?
That is the nagging question.
who defines indecent dressing?
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by PTH(m): 3:30am On Aug 06, 2007
debosky:

I hear you babyosisi and PTH, but I still think the issue is more than a mere 'islamisation' of the country. Don't 'Christians' ( I use quotes because that means different things to different people) also support 'decent' dressing? Don't some churches openly condemn trousers? Maybe I'm hiding my head in the sand and refusing to see the hijabs coming, but I think there is more than the islamist thing that meets the eye in this case. The 'men' approving or in support of this action cannot all be muslims can they? Is 'decent' dressing in the country as a whole on the decline?

debosky, well spoken but i think you miss the point. the issue is not about whether you and i approve of indecent dressing or not. The question is who sets the standards for decent dressing? the government?
churches condemn indecent dressing yes but they dont go around arresting muslims for wearing burqas neither do they attempt to impose their ideas of decent dressing on the public. The church can condemn but every woman has a right to decide what is best for her. That a woman chooses to walk around naked is her right, we are not at liberty to tell her to put on clothes.

Very soon the police will be arresting us for praying too loudly at this rate.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 3:33am On Aug 06, 2007
Is it the trousers that's causing our women to be violated sexually in large numbers?
someone once quoted a statistics that a certain northern hospital had about 15% of girls with STD's to be girls under the age of 5.
When we have men who are turned on by babies and preschoolers,we are here talking of women in trousers.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by jayvin01: 3:35am On Aug 06, 2007
well dont be suprise 'bout that! bcuz end time is here, so expect whatever embarassed

Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by denex: 3:50am On Aug 06, 2007
Pity, are you listing that sickle cell cannot be cured and that it is a fatal malady.

You think that by listing out what I said, it'd make you seem smarter?



I did not compare Uranium to Crude Oil, just like you did not compare Bitumen to Gold we only listed what different resources states had so please drop this idiocy. People know me in here and they know say my level of intelligence pass all this diversionary moves wey you dey do.


And did I compare Sickle cell to Polio? You may need to start reading from the beginning of this thread so you can quote where I said Sickle cell Anaemia is just like polio. Please show me that place.


There is actually a Nigerian map showing the distribution of tse-tse fly. You no go ever know so don't force yourself. The thing wey we study, you wan use google do copy and paste overnight. Just leave all this little knowledge you're exhibiting here.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 3:55am On Aug 06, 2007
denex,you are making no sense whatsoever.
how many cases of sleeping sickness have you heard of in Lagos for example.

And what does SS anemia got to do with infections?
please stop sounding ridiculous.
contribute to the topic at hand or start a tse tse fly thread.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by PTH(m): 4:01am On Aug 06, 2007
denex:

Pity, are you listing that sickle cell cannot be cured and that it is a fatal malady.

You think that by listing out what I said, it'd make you seem smarter?

you're just making empty noises. i probably knew how fatal sickle cell was before you could even spell. My mom was personal physician to a close family friend with the disease.
Sickle cell can actually be cured in advanced countries by bone marrow transplant from a healthy donor.

denex:

I did not compare Uranium to Crude Oil, just like you did not compare Bitumen to Gold we only listed what different resources states had so please drop this idiocy. People know me in here and they know say my level of intelligence pass all this diversionary moves wey you dey do.

even me sef i know ur level of intelligence.  grin grin

denex:

And did I compare Sickle cell to Polio? You may need to start reading from the beginning of this thread so you can quote where I said Sickle cell Anaemia is just like polio. Please show me that place.

dont play coy here. the issue was about polio being endemic to the north to which you promptly responded that sickle cell is headquatered in the south of Nigeria (forgetting that it is a disease that is peculiar to everyone of the black race and is the body's genetic response to malaria).

denex:

There is actually a Nigerian map showing the distribution of tse-tse fly. You no go ever know so don't force yourself. The thing wey we study, you wan use google do copy and paste overnight. Just leave all this little knowledge you're exhibiting here.

pele, stop saying nonsense. I'm sure the scientists who classified tse tse flies according to morphology and distribution knew what they were talking about. tse tse flies can be found both in riverine areas and in the savannah.

Please read cyprian ekwensi's burning grass - tse tse flies are mentioned in that novel as being also found in savanah areas. Stop trying to sound intelligent, YOU ARE NOT!
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by debosky(m): 4:05am On Aug 06, 2007
babyosisi:

contribute to the topic at hand or start a tse tse fly thread.
grin grin grin

Finally we're getting back to topic, the civil liberties groups are really sleeping on the job, so are the lawyers in the country. How can you just enact a dress code without taking into consideration the primary group to be affected by such a decision - the women themselves? Is it their right to even make such decisions or this is simply another diversionary tactic to take attention away from the crucial matters at hand?

there is serious need for these kinds of actions to be challenged through the legal system and repudiated once found illegal. sadly I'm yet to hear a single organization condemn these actions so far, which may or may not point to some degree of tacit acceptance within the society as a whole.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by otokx(m): 4:06am On Aug 06, 2007
This is all a diversion from them corrupt monsters.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 4:07am On Aug 06, 2007
debosky:

grin grin grin

Finally we're getting back to topic, the civil liberties groups are really sleeping on the job, so are the lawyers in the country. How can you just enact a dress code without taking into consideration the primary group to be affected by such a decision - the women themselves? Is it their right to even make such decisions or this is simply another diversionary tactic to take attention away from the crucial matters at hand?

there is serious need for these kinds of actions to be challenged through the legal system and repudiated once found illegal. sadly I'm yet to hear a single organization condemn these actions so far, which may or may not point to some degree of tacit acceptance within the society as a whole.

even if people want to show cleavage with their burquas,they should be left alone that's the beauty of democracy.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by PTH(m): 4:15am On Aug 06, 2007
debosky:

grin grin grin

Finally we're getting back to topic, the civil liberties groups are really sleeping on the job, so are the lawyers in the country. How can you just enact a dress code without taking into consideration the primary group to be affected by such a decision - the women themselves? Is it their right to even make such decisions or this is simply another diversionary tactic to take attention away from the crucial matters at hand?

there is serious need for these kinds of actions to be challenged through the legal system and repudiated once found illegal. sadly I'm yet to hear a single organization condemn these actions so far, which may or may not point to some degree of tacit acceptance within the society as a whole.

Tacit acceptance or not. It is illegal to force me to eat yam a certain way.
those doing the arresting have not even told us what the accepted mode of "decent" dressing is. Tying wrappers or wearing skirts that sweep the floor?
What of men who wear singlets or go topless on the streets? Or are they going to start arresting men too?

A society like ours should be more interested in ensuring we have a good standard of living rather than occupying their time with arresting women who show us their natural endowments. those of us who make it a duty to feast our eyes are not complaining.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 4:18am On Aug 06, 2007
PTH:

Tacit acceptance or not. It is illegal to force me to eat yam a certain way.
those doing the arresting have not even told us what the accepted mode of "decent" dressing is. Tying wrappers or wearing skirts that sweep the floor?
What of men who wear singlets or go topless on the streets? Or are they going to start arresting men too?

A society like ours should be more interested in ensuring we have a good standard of living rather than occupying their time with arresting women who show us their natural endowments. those of us who make it a duty to feast our eyes are not complaining.

osanobua,mr PTH,you too?

but honestly I'll like to know,do women in trousers turn men on ?
and those in skirts don't
someone please answer me,I'm sure many women want to know this.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by PTH(m): 4:32am On Aug 06, 2007
babyosisi:

osanobua,mr PTH,you too?

but honestly I'll like to know,do women in trousers turn men on ?
and those in skirts don't
someone please answer me,I'm sure many women want to know this.

grin bodi no be firewood jare. Women in tight pants turn men on, women in certain skirts also do. short skirts above the knees, skirts made from certain material like jeans or leather, certainly not frocks or dowdy skirts. Also depends a lot on the figure of the woman wearing them. If you don't have full hips you can even be naked sef e no concern me.
Mr. PTH don talk wetin im eye dey look.  wink

back to the topic o jare before the moral police arrest me for indecent looking.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by YangaRat: 8:03am On Aug 06, 2007
Instead make them dey catch any woman when wear trouser, them for kuku dey arrest any man when dey look woman body sotay him own trouser come dey show another third leg.

If them face the man them instead, you go see say any man when see fine woman go quickly commot eye and face him own business. 

As for me o,  any cloth when woman put for body, I go take style dey look am, but as I don take rope tight my blokos well-well, nothing go happen when go make me shame, and that is why I must to take this opportunity to beg all Nigeria woman say make them please dress sexy as them like, because my doctor don warn me say if I no take eye see new breast and yansh every day, say na totomental sickness go kill me.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 8:42am On Aug 06, 2007
Please let us get issues straight. Benue and Lagos are not Moslem states, So please leave religion out of this. Even when Northern States introduced sHARIA, THEY DID NOT GO THIS FAR. sO PLEASE LET US BASE OUR ARGUMENTS ON PROPER ISSUES
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by denex: 9:05am On Aug 06, 2007
@aisha2

if I tell you that I am not tired of these people, I'm lying. In fact, I have not heard of a muslim from Benue before. There could be some, but I don't know any.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Manta(m): 9:19am On Aug 06, 2007
Those asking for a link to the post, I have posted the topic as a first hand wittness. I'm an original Benue boy, tiv by tribe, born, bred and currently resides in Gboko. This is the most recent news rocking the whole of Benue State- it is on a wide spread covering other Local Goverments in Benue after my post.

And for those who do not know, Benue is a 95% christian state with most of the few musilims non indigenes.
The present Govenor Rt. Hon Gabriel Suswam is also a christian so, the issue of 'sharia' or 'Islamization' is completly out of place in this exercise.

Benue is tagged the 'Food Basket of the Nation' cos of her high level of Food and cash crop production like yam, cassava, beans, g/nuts, soya beans etc- it baffles me to hear someone say say we contribute very little to the economy of the nation.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by denex: 9:43am On Aug 06, 2007
@Manta

Abeg, please, tell them O! Na me wey come from Niger-Delta come dey defend una since based on the small data I have gathered about the Benue People.

Abeg tell them. Because they wanted to kill me. They've even started linking Al Qaeda to the issue one way or the other.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 10:01am On Aug 06, 2007
Denex, did you get my mail?
@ Topic people sound very uneducated when they just make statements that are unimaginable. I wonder where the issue of Sharia and Islamation of Nigeria comes in. Haba, Imagine what a foreinger will think of Nigeria when he reads some foolish replies some people posted here. Do you even know Nigeria? It beats me how some person will link what is happening in Lagos and Benue to Talibanization. You just come and post then open your mouths and say trash, cant people investigate a little before making such powerful statements.
It is really sad. This is really an example of bad mouth, I was born and bred in the north, I wear trousers and I have never been flogged and no body in the North hjas ever been arrested or flogged for indecent dressing. If you do not know what to say shut up must people reply evey post and reveal their astonshing ignorance
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by anando(m): 10:06am On Aug 06, 2007
grafikdon,jakumo and co. i never knew u guys were so ignorant of Nigeria,in case u dont know Benue State is an entirely Christian State not muslim. Christian Ladies in Kano,Kaduna and most Core Northern States wear whatever they want. And if i remember correctly there was a time trousers were banned from Lagos Stae University what will u say to that?
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by esilove(m): 10:50am On Aug 06, 2007
Restricting women from putting on trousers is an abuse to human right.

It is constitutionaly wrong
This is bridge of freedom,
Moral degredation,

The world is modernizing we are no longer in ekeik dispensation. Please Muslem should allow us to exercise of civic right.

If other states embark on this or the federal Government put it as a law, it will lead to divisiton of this country.

In the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria section 35 subsection 1 says,



Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

1999








Arrangement of sections






Chapter I



General Provisions







Part I

Federal Republic of Nigeria



1. Supremacy of constitution. 2 The Federal Republic of Nigeria. 3 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.





Part II



Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria



4.
Legislative powers. 5 Executive powers. 6 Judicial powers
7. Local government system. 8 New states and boundary adjustment, etc. 9 Mode of altering provisions of the constitution
10. Prohibition of State Religion. 11 Public order and public security. 12 Implementation of treaties.






Chapter II



Fundamental Objectives and directive Principles of State Policy



13.
Fundamental obligations of the Government. 14 The Government and the people 15 Political objectives.
16. Economic objectives. 17 Social objectives. 18 Educational objectives.
19. Foreign policy objectives. 20. Environmental objectives. 21. Directive on Nigeria cultures
22. Obligation of the mass media 23. National ethics. 24. Duties of the citizen.






Chapter III



Citizenship



25.
Citizenship by birth. 26 Citizenship by registration. 27 Citizenship by naturalisation.
28. Dual citizenship. 29 Renunciation of citizenship. 30 Deprivation of citizenship.
31. Persons deemed to be Nigerian citizens. 32 Power to make regulations.





Chapter IV



Fundamental Rights



33.
Right to life. 34 Right to dignity of human persons. 35 Right to personal liberty.
36. Right to fair hearing. 37 Right to private and family life. 38 Right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion
39. Right to freedom of expression and the press. 40 Right to peaceful assembly and association. 41 Right to freedom of movement.
42 Right to freedom from discrimination. 43 Right to acquire and own immovable property. 44 Compulsory acquisition of property.
45 Restriction on and derogation from fundamental human rights. 46 Special jurisdiction of High Court and Legal aid.



Chapter V



The Legislature



Part I



National Assembly

A-Composition and Staff of National Assembly



47
Establishment of National Assembly. 48 Composition of the Senate 49 Composition of the House of Representatives.
50 President of the senate and speaker of the House of Representatives. 51 Staff of the National Assembly.



B-Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of National Assembly



52
Declaration of assets and liabilities ;oath of members. 53 Presiding at sitting of the National Assembly and at joint sittings. 54 Quorum.
55 Languages. 56 Voting. 57 Unqualified person sitting or voting.
58 Mode of exercising Federal Legislative power: general 59 Mode of exercising Federal Legislative power: money bills. 60 Regulation of procedure
61 Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings 62 Committees 63 Sittings
64 Dissolution and issue of proclamations by president.



C - Qualifications for Membership of National Assembly and Right of Attendance



65
Qualifications for election 66 Disqualifications 67 Right of attendance of President
68 Tenure of Seat of Members 69 Recall 70 Remuneration




D - Elections to National Assembly



71
Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies 72 Size of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies. 73 Periodical review of Senatorial districts and Federal constituencies
74 Time when alteration of senatorial districts or Federal constituencies takes effects. 75 Ascertainment of population 76 Time of Election to the National Assembly
77 Direct Election and franchise 78 Supervision of election 79 Power of the National Assembly as to determination of certain questions.




E - Powers and Control over Public Funds



80
Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund 81 Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue Fund 82 Authorisation of expenditure in default appropriations
83 Contingencies Fund 84 Remuneration, etc. of the President and certain other officers 85 Audit of Public accounts
86 Appointment of Auditor-General 87 Tenure of office of Auditor-General 88 Power to conduct investigations
89 Power as to matters of evidence





Part II



House of Assembly of a State







A - Composition and Staff of House of Assembly



90
Establishment of House of assembly for each State 91 Composition of the House of Assembly 92 Speaker of House of Assembly
93 Staff of house of Assembly





B - Procedure for Summoning and Dissolution of House of Assembly



94
Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of members 95 Presiding at sittings 96 Quorum
97 Languages 98 Voting 99 Unqualified person sitting or voting
100 Mode of exercising legislative power of a state 101 Regulation of procedure 102 Vacancy or participation of strangers not to invalidate proceedings.
103 Committees 104 Sittings 105 Dissolution and issue of proclamation by Governor






C - Qualification for Membership of House of Assembly and Right of Attendance



106
Qualifications for election 107 Disqualifications 108 Right of attendance of President
109 Tenure of Seat of Members 110 Recall 111 Remuneration




D - Elections to a House of Assembly



112
State constituencies 113 Size of state constituencies 114 Periodical review of State constituencies
115 Time when alteration of state constituencies takes effect 116 Time of elections to Houses of Assembly 117 Direct election and franchise
118 Supervision and election 119 Power of National Assembly as to determination of certain questions





E - Powers and control over Public Funds



120
Establishment of Consolidated Revenue Fund 121 Authorisation of expenditure from Consolidated Revenue fund 122 Authorisation of expenditure in default of appropriations.
123 Contingencies Fund 124 Remuneration, etc. of the governor and certain other officers 125 Audit of Public accounts
126 Appointment of Auditor-General 127 Tenure of office of Auditor-General 128 Power to conduct investigations
129 Power as to matters of evidence.





Chapter VI



The Executive





Part I




Federal Executive





A-The President of the Federation



130
Establishment of the office of President 131 Qualification for election as President 132 Election of the President: general
133 Election: single presidential candidate 134 Election: two or more presidential candidates 135 Tenure of office of President
136 Death, etc. of president-elect before oath of office.
137 Disqualifications. 138 President: disqualification from other jobs.
139 Determination of certain questions relating to election 140 Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of President. 141 Establishment of office of Vice-President
142 Nomination and election of Vice-President 143 Removal of President from office 144 Permanent incapacity of President or Vice-President.
145 Acting President during temporary absence of President 146 Discharge of functions of President 147 Ministers of federal Government
148 Executive Responsibilities of Ministers 149 Declaration of Assets and liabilities; oaths of Ministers. 150 Attorney-General of the Federation
151 Special Advisers. 152 Declaration of assets and Liabilities; oaths of special Adviser.





B - Establishment of Certain Federal Executive Bodies



153
Federal Commissions and Councils, etc. 154 Appointment of Chairman and members 155 Tenure of office of members.
156 Qualification for membership. 157 Removal of members. 158 Independence of certain bodies
159 Quorum and decisions 160 Powers and Procedure. 161 Interpretation.






C - Public Revenue










162
Distributable pool account 163 Allocation of other revenues 164 Federal grants-in-aid of State revenue.
165 Cost of collection of certain duties 166 Set-off. 167 Sums charged on consolidated Revenue Fund.
168 Provisions with regard to payments





D - The Public Service of the Federation



169
Establishment of civil service of the Federation 170 Federal Civil service Commission: power to delegate functions 171 Presidential appointments
172 Code of Conduct 173 Protection of pension rights. 174 Public persecutions
175 Prerogative of mercy.





Part II

State Executive







A - The Governor of a State



176
Establishment of office of Governor 177 Qualification for election as Governor 178 Election of Governor: general.
179 Election: single candidate and two or more candidates 180 Tenure of office of Governor 181 Death, etc. of Governor before oath of office.
182 Disqualifications 183 Governor: disqualification from other jobs. 184 Determination of certain questions relating to elections.
185 Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of office of Governor. 186 Establishment of the office of the Deputy Governor 187 Nomination and election of the Deputy Governor
188 Removal of Governor or Deputy Governor from office. 189 Permanent incapacity of Governor or Deputy Governor. 190 Acting governor during temporary absence of Governor.
191 Discharge of functions of Governor. 192 Commissioners of State Government. 193 Executive responsibilities of Deputy Governor and Commissioners.
194 Declaration of assets and liabilities; oaths of Commissioners 195 Attorney-General of a State 196 Special Advisers






B - Establishment of Certain State Executive Bodies



197
State Commissioners 198 Appointment of Chairman and members. 199 Tenure of office of the members.
200 Qualification for membership 201 Removal of members. 202 Independence of certain bodies.
203 Quorum and decisions. 204 Powers and procedure 205 Interpretation






C - The Public Service of State



206
Establishment of State Civil Service 207 State Civil Service Commission: Power of delegation 208 Appointments by Governor
209 Code of Conduct. 210 Protection of pension rights. 211 Public prosecutions
212 Prerogative of mercy





Part III

Supplemental





A - National Population Census




213
National Population census





B - Nigeria Police Force



214
Establishment of Nigeria Police Force. 215 Appointment of Inspector-General and control of Nigeria Police Force. 216 Delegation of powers to the Inspector-General of Police






C - Armed Forces of the Federation



217
Establishment and composition of the armed force of the Federation 218 Command and operational use 219 Establishment of body to ensure federal character of armed forces
220 Compulsory military service.





D - Political Parties



221
Prohibition of political activities by certain associations. 222 Restrictions on formation of political parties 223 Constitution and rules of political parties.
224 Aims and objectives 225 Finances of political parties. 226 Annual reports on finances
227 Prohibition of quasi-military organisations. 228 Powers of the national assembly with respect to political parties. 229 Interpretation.






Chapter VII



The Judicature



Part I

Federal Courts





A - The Supreme Court of Nigeria



230
Establishment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria 231 Appointment of Chief justices of Nigeria and justices of the Supreme Court 232 Original jurisdiction.
233 Appellate jurisdiction. 234 Constitution 235 Finality of determinations
236 Practice and procedure





B - The Court of Appeal



237
Establishment of Court of Appeal 238 Appointment of President and Justices of the Court of Appeal. 239 Original jurisdiction
240 Appellate jurisdiction 241 Appeals as of rights from the Federal high Court or a High Court. 242 Appeals with leave.
243 Exercise of the rights of appeal from the Federal High Court of a High Court in civil and criminal matters. 244 Appeals from Sharia court of Appeal 245 Appeals from customary court of appeal.
246 Appeal from Code of Conduct Tribunal and other courts and tribunals 247 Constitution 248 Practice and procedure.






C - The Federal High Court



249
Establishment of the Federal High Court. 250 Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the federal high Court. 251 Jurisdiction
252 Powers 253 Constitution. 254 Practice and procedure






D - The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja



255
Establishment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 256 Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 257 Jurisdiction.
258 Constitution. 259 Practice and procedure





E - The Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja



260
Establishment of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 261 Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 262 Jurisdiction.
263 Constitution. 264 Practice and Procedure





F - The Customary Court of appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja



265
Establishment of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 266 Appointment of President and Judges of Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. 267 Jurisdiction.
268 Constitution. 269 Practice and Procedure





Part II

State Courts







A - High Court of a State



270
Establishment of a High Court for each State. 271 Appointment of Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of a State. 272 Jurisdiction.
273 Constitution. 274 Practice and Procedure





B - Sharia Court of Appeal of a State



275
Establishment of Sharia Court of Appeal. 276 Appointment of Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of a State. 277 Jurisdiction.
278 Constitution. 279 Practice and Procedure





C - Customary Court of Appeal of a State



280
Establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal. 281 Appointment of President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of a State. 282 Jurisdiction.
283 Constitution. 284 Practice and Procedure





Part III

Election Tribunals



285 Establishment and jurisdiction of election tribunals.





Part IV

Supplemental



286 Jurisdiction of state courts in respect of federal causes 287 Enforcement of decisions. 288 Appointment of persons leaned in Islamic personal law and Customary law
289 Disqualification of certain legal practitioners. 290 Declaration of assets and liabilities: oaths of judicial officers. 291 Tenure of office and pension rights of judicial officers.
292 Removal of other judicial officers from office. 293 Vacancies 294 Determination of causes and matters
295 Reference of questions of law.
296
Interpretation






Chapter VIII



Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and General Supplementary Provisions



Part I

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja





297
Federal Capital territory, Abuja: ownership of lands. 298 Capital of the federation 299 Application of Constitution.
300 Representation in the National Assembly 301 Adaptation of certain references. 302 Minister of Federal Capital territory, Abuja.
303 Administration of the Federal Capital territory, Abuja. 304 Establishment of the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital territory, Abuja





Part II

Miscellaneous Provisions





305
Procedure for proclamation of state of emergency 306 Resignations. 307 Restriction on certain citizens
308 Restrictions on legal proceedings.





Part III

Transitional Provisions and Savings





309
Citizenship
310
Staff of legislative houses.
311
Standing Orders

312 Special provisions in respect of first election. 313 System of revenue allocation. 314 Debts.
315 Existing law. 316 Existing offices, courts and authorities. 317 Succession to property, rights, liabilities and obligations.





Part IV

Interpretation, Citation and Commencement





318
Interpretation. 319 Citation. 320 Commencement.




Schedules





First Schedule



Part I

States of the Federation





Part II

Definition and Area Councils of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja







Second Schedule



Part I

Exclusive Legislative List





Part II

Concurrent Legislative List





Part III

Supplemental and Interpretation







Third Schedule



Part I

Federal Executive Bodies





Code of Conduct Bureau



Council of State



Federal Character Commission



Federal Civil Service Commission



Federal Judicial Service Commission



Independent National Electoral Commission



National Defence Council



National Economic Council



National Judicial Council



National Population Commission



National Security Council



Nigeria Police Council



Police Service Commission



Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.







Part II

State Executive Bodies





State Civil Service Commission



State Independent Electoral Commission



State Judicial Service Commission.







Part III

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja Executive Body



Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja









Fourth Schedule



Functions of a Local Council









Fifth Schedule



Part I

Code of Conduct for Public officers







General



Code of Conduct Tribunal



Interpretation







Part II

Public Officers for the Purposes of the Code of Conduct









Sixth Schedule



Election Tribunals





National Assembly Election Tribunal



Governorship and Legislative Houses Election tribunal









Seventh Schedule



Oaths







Oaths of Allegiance



Oath of Office of President



Oath of Office of Governor of a State



Oath of Office of Vice-President, Deputy Governor, Minister, Commissioner or Special Adviser



Oath of a Member of the National Assembly or of a House of Assembly



Judicial Oath




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

1999







We the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria



Having firmly and solemnly resolve, to live in unity and harmony as one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation under God, dedicated to the promotion of inter-African solidarity, world peace, international co-operation and understanding



And to provide for a Constitution for the purpose of promoting the good government and welfare of all persons in our country, on the principles of freedom, equality and justice, and for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our people



Do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves the following Constitution:-





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Chapter I

General Provisions



Part I





Federal Republic of Nigeria



1. (1) This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding force on the authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(2) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any persons or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(3) If any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

2. (1) Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

(2) Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory.

3. (1) There shall be 36 states in Nigeria, that is to say, Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.

(2) Each state of Nigeria, named in the first column of Part I of the First Schedule to this Constitution, shall consist of the area shown opposite thereto in the second column of that Schedule.

(3) The headquarters of the Governor of each State shall be known as the Capital City of that State as shown in the third column of the said Part I of the First Schedule opposite the State named in the first column thereof.

(4) The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, shall be as defined in Part II of the First Scheduled to this Constitution.

(5) The provisions of this Constitution in Part I of Chapter VIII hereof shall in relation to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have effect in the manner set out thereunder.

(6) There shall be 768 Local Government Areas in Nigeria as shown in the second column of Part I of the First Schedule to this Constitution and six area councils as shown in Part II of that Schedule.



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Part II



Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria





4. (1) The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

(2) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.

(3) The power of the National Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation with respect to any matter included in the Exclusive Legislative List shall, save as otherwise provided in this Constitution, be to the exclusion of the Houses of Assembly of States.

(4) In addition and without prejudice to the powers conferred by subsection (2) of this section, the National Assembly shall have power to make laws with respect to the following matters, that is to say:-

(a) any matter in the Concurrent Legislative List set out in the first column of Part II of the Second Schedule to this Constitution to the extent prescribed in the second column opposite thereto; and

(b) any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(5) If any Law enacted by the House of Assembly of a State is inconsistent with any law validly made by the National Assembly, the law made by the National Assembly shall prevail, and that other Law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.

(6) The legislative powers of a State of the Federation shall be vested in the House of Assembly of the State.

(7) The House of Assembly of a State shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the State or any part thereof with respect to the following matters, that is to say:-

(a) any matter not included in the Exclusive Legislative List set out in Part I of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.

(b) any matter included in the Concurrent Legislative List set out in the first column of Part II of the Second Schedule to this Constitution to the extent prescribed in the second column opposite thereto; and

(c) any other matter with respect to which it is empowered to make laws in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(cool Save as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the exercise of legislative powers by the National Assembly or by a House of Assembly shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts of law and of judicial tribunals established by law, and accordingly, the National Assembly or a House of Assembly shall not enact any law, that ousts or purports to oust the jurisdiction of a court of law or of a judicial tribunal established by law.

(9) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, the National Assembly or a House of Assembly shall not, in relation to any criminal offence whatsoever, have power to make any law which shall have retrospective effect.

5. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of the Federation:

(a) shall be vested in the President and may subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any law made by the National Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Vice-President and Ministers of the Government of the Federation or officers in the public service of the Federation; and

(b) shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the National Assembly and to all matters with respect to which the National Assembly has, for the time being, power to make laws.

(2) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the executive powers of a State:

(a) shall be vested in the Governor of that State and may, subject as aforesaid and to the provisions of any Law made by a House of Assembly, be exercised by him either directly or through the Deputy Governor and Commissioners of the Government of that State or officers in the public service of the State; and

(b) shall extend to the execution and maintenance of this Constitution, all laws made by the House of Assembly of the State and to all matters with respect to which the House of Assembly has for the time being power to make laws.

(3) The executive powers vested in a State under subsection (2) of this section shall be so exercised as not to:-

(a) impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive powers of the Federation;

(b) endanger any asset or investment of the Government of the Federation in that State; or

(c) endanger the continuance of a Federal Government in Nigeria.

(4) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section:-

(a) the President shall not declare a state of war between the Federation and another country except with the sanction of a resolution of both Houses of the National Assembly, sitting in a joint session; and

(b) except with the prior approval of the Senate, no member of the armed forces of the Federation shall be deployed on combat duty outside Nigeria.

(5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (4) of this section, the President, in consultation with the National Defence Council, may deploy members of the armed forces of the Federation on a limited combat duty outside Nigeria if he is satisfied that the national security is under imminent threat or danger:

Provided that the President shall, within seven days of actual combat engagement, seek the consent of the Senate and the Senate shall thereafter give or refuse the said consent within 14 days.

6. (1) The judicial powers of the Federation shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established for the Federation.

(2) The judicial powers of a State shall be vested in the courts to which this section relates, being courts established, subject as provided by this Constitution, for a State.

(3) The courts to which this section relates, established by this Constitution for the Federation and for the States, specified in subsection (5) (a) to (1) of this section, shall be the only superior courts of record in Nigeria; and save as otherwise prescribed by the National Assembly or by the House of Assembly of a State, each court shall have all the powers of a superior court of record.

(4) Nothing in the foregoing provisions of this section shall be construed as precluding:-

(a) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly from establishing courts, other than those to which this section relates, with subordinate jurisdiction to that of a High Court;

(b) the National Assembly or any House of Assembly, which does not require it, from abolishing any court which it has power to establish or which it has brought into being.

(5) This section relates to:-

(a) the Supreme Court of Nigeria;

(b) the Court of Appeal;

(c) the Federal High Court;

(d) the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;

(e) a High Court of a State

(f) the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;

(g) a Sharia Court of Appeal of a State;

(h) the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;

(i) a Customary Court of Appeal of a State;

(j) such other courts as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction on matters with respect to which the National Assembly may make laws; and

(k) such other court as may be authorised by law to exercise jurisdiction at first instance or on appeal on matters with respect to which a House of Assembly may make laws.

(6) The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section -

(a) shall extend, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this constitution, to all inherent powers and sanctions of a court of law

(b) shall extend, to all matters between persons, or between government or authority and to any persons in Nigeria, and to all actions and proceedings relating thereto, for the determination of any question as to the civil rights and obligations of that person;

(c) shall not except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act of omission by any authority or person or as to whether any law or any judicial decision is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy set out in Chapter II of this Constitution;

(d) shall not, as from the date when this section comes into force, extend to any action or proceedings relating to any existing law made on or after 15th January, 1966 for determining any issue or question as to the competence of any authority or person to make any such law.

7. (1) The system of local government by democratically elected local government councils is under this Constitution guaranteed; and accordingly, the Government of every State shall, subject to section 8 of this Constitution, ensure their existence under a Law which provides for the establishment, structure, composition, finance and functions of such councils.

(2) The person authorised by law to prescribe the area over which a local government council may exercise authority shall-

(a) define such area as clearly as practicable; and

(b) ensure, to the extent to which it may be reasonably justifiable that in defining such area regard is paid to -

(i) the common interest of the community in the area;

(ii) traditional association of the community; and

(iii) administrative convenience.

(3) it shall be the duty of a local government council within the State to participate in economic planning and development of the area referred to in subsection (2) of this section and to this end an economic planning board shall be established by a Law enacted by the House of Assembly of the State.

(4) The Government of a State shall ensure that every person who is entitled to vote or be voted for at an election to House of Assembly shall have the right to vote or be voted for at an election to a local government council.

(5) The functions to be conferred by Law upon local government council shall include those set out in the Fourth Schedule to this Constitution.

(6) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution -

(a) the National Assembly shall make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils in the Federation; and

(b) the House of Assembly of a State shall make provisions for statutory allocation of public revenue to local government councils within the State.

8. (1) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of creating a new State shall only be passed if-

(a) a request, supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new State) in each of the following, namely -

(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives,

(ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

(iii) the local government councils in respect of the area,

is received by the National Assembly;

(b) a proposal for the creation of the State is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the area where the demand for creation of the State originated;

(c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of all the States of the Federation supported by a simple majority of members of the Houses of Assembly; and

(d) the proposal is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of each House of the National Assembly.

(2) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing State shall only be passed if-

(a) a request for the boundary adjustment, supported by two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding and the area affected by the boundary adjustment) in each of the following, namely-

(i) the Senate and the House of Representatives,

(ii) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

(iii) the local government councils in respect of the area.

is received by the National Assembly; and

(b) a proposal for the boundary adjustment is approved by -

(i) a simple majority of members of each House of the National Assembly, and

(ii) a simple majority of members of the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned.

(3) A bill for a Law of a House of Assembly for the purpose of creating a new local government area shall only be passed if -

(a) a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new local government area) in each of the following, namely -

(i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

(ii) the local government councils in respect of the area,

is received by the House of Assembly;

(b) a proposal for the creation of the local government area is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the local government area where the demand for the proposed local government area originated;

(c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of the members in each local government council in a majority of all the local government councils in the State; and

(d) the result of the referendum is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of the House of Assembly.

(4) A bill for a Law of House of Assembly for the purpose of boundary adjustment of any existing local government area shall only be passed if-

(a) a request for the boundary adjustment is supported by two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding and the area affected by the boundary adjustment) in each of the following, namely -

(i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

(ii) the local government council in respect of the area,

is received by the House of Assembly; and

(b) a proposal for the boundary adjustment is approved by a simple majority of members of the House of Assembly in respect of the area concerned.

(5) An Act of the National Assembly passed in accordance with this section shall make consequential provisions with respect to the names and headquarters of State or Local government areas as provided in section 3 of this Constitution and in Parts I and II of the First Schedule to this Constitution.

(6) For the purpose of enabling the National Assembly to exercise the powers conferred upon it by subsection (5) of this section, each House of Assembly shall, after the creation of more local government areas pursuant to subsection (3) of this section, make adequate returns to each House of the National Assembly

9. (1) The National Assembly may, subject to the provision of this section, alter any of the provisions of this Constitution.

(2) An Act of the National Assembly for the altertion of this Constitution, not being an Act to which section 8 of this Constitution applies, shall not be passed in either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of all the members of that House and approved by resolution of the Houses of Assembly of not less than two-thirds of all the States.

(3) An Act of the National Assembly for the purpose of altering the provisions of this section, section 8 or Chapter IV of this Constitution shall not be passed by either House of the National Assembly unless the proposal is approved by the votes of not less than four-fifths majority of all the members of each House, and also approved by resolution of the House of Assembly of not less than two-third of all States.

(4) For the purposes of section 8 of this Constitution and of subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the number of members of each House of the National Assembly shall, notwithstanding any vacancy, be deemed to be the number of members specified in sections 48 and 49 of this Constitution.

10. The Government of the Federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.

11. (1) The National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part therefore with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order and providing, maintaining and securing of such supplies and service as may be designed by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.

(2) Nothing in this section shall preclude a House of Assembly from making laws with respect to the matter referred to in this section, including the provision for maintenance and securing of such supplies and services as may be designated by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.

(3) During any period when the Federation is at war the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part therefore with respect to matters not included in the Exclusive Legislative List as may appear to it to be necessary or expedient for the defence of the Federation.

(4) At any time when any House of Assembly of a State is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in that State, the National Assembly may make such laws for the peace, order and good government of that State with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the State:

Provided that nothing in this section shall be construed as conferring on the National Assembly power to remove the Governor or the Deputy Governor of the State from office.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) of this section, a House of Assembly shall not be deemed to be unable to perform its functions so long as the House of Assembly can hold a meeting and transact business.

12. (1) No treaty between the Federation and any other country shall have the force of law to the extent to which any such treaty has been enacted into law by the National Assembly.

(2) The National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to matters not included in the he Exclusive Legislative List for the purpose of implementing a treaty.

(3) A bill for an Act of the National Assembly passed pursuant to the provisions of subsection (2) of this section shall not be presented to the President for assent, and shall not be enacted unless it is ratified by a majority of all the House of Assembly in the Federation.



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Chapter II

Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy





13. It shall be the duty and responsibility of all organs of government, and of all authorities and persons, exercising legislative, executive or judicial powers, to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of this Chapter of this Constitution.

14. (1) The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social justice.

(2) It is hereby, accordingly, declared that:

(a) sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria from whom government through this Constitution derives all its powers and authority;

(b) the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government: and

(c) the participation by the people in their government shall be ensured in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

(3) The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies.

(4) The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the people of the Federation.

15. (1) The motto of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress.

(2) Accordingly, national integration shall be actively encouraged, whilst discrimination on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, status, ethnic or linguistic association or ties shall be prohibited.

(3) For the purpose of promoting national integration, it shall be the duty of the State to:

(a) provide adequate facilities for and encourage free mobility of people, goods and services throughtout the Federation.

(b) secure full residence rights for every citizen in all parts of the Federation.

(c) encourage inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties; and

(d) promote or encourage the formation of associations that cut across ethnic, linguistic, religious and or other sectional barriers.

(4) The State shall foster a feeling of belonging and of involvement among the various people of the Federation, to the end that loyalty to the nation shall override sectional loyalties.

(5) The State shall abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power.

16. (1) The State shall, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this Constitution.

(a) harness the resources of the nation and promote national prosperity and an efficient, a dynamic and self-reliant economy;

(b) control the national economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen on the basis of social justice and equality of status and opportunity;

(c) without prejudice to its right to operate or participate in areas of the economy, other than the major sectors of the economy, manage and operate the major sectors of the economy;

(d) without prejudice to the right of any person to participate in areas of the economy within the major sector of the economy, protect the right of every citizen to engage in any economic activities outside the major sectors of the economy.

(2) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring:

(a) the promotion of a planned and balanced economic development;

(b) that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good;

(c) that the economic system is not operated in such a manner as to permit the concentration of wealth or the means of production and exchange in the hands of few individuals or of a group; and

(d) that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens.

(3) A body shall be set up by an Act of the National Assembly which shall have power;

(a) to review, from time to time, the ownership and control of business enterprises operating in Nigeria and make recommendations to the President on same; and

(b) to administer any law for the regulation of the ownership and control of such enterprises.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section -

(a) the reference to the "major sectors of the economy" shall be construed as a reference to such economic activities as may, from time to time, be declared by a resolution of each House of the National Assembly to be managed and operated exclusively by the Government of the Federation, and until a resolution to the contrary is made by the National Assembly, economic activities being operated exclusively by the Government of the Federation on the date immediately preceding the day when this section comes into force, whether directly or through the agencies of a statutory or other corporation or company, shall be deemed to be major sectors of the economy;

(b) "economic activities" includes activities directly concerned with the production, distribution and exchange of weather or of goods and services; and

(c) "participate" includes the rendering of services and supplying of goods.

17. (1) The State social order is founded on ideals of Freedom, Equality and Justice.

(2) In furtherance of the social order-

(a) every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law;

(b) the sanctity of the human person shall be recognised and human dignity shall be maintained and enhanced;

(c) governmental actions shall be humane;

(d) exploitation of human or natural resources in any form whatsoever for reasons, other than the good of the community, shall be prevented; and

(e) the independence, impartiality and integrity of courts of law, and easy accessibility thereto shall be secured and maintained.

(3) The State shall direct its policy towards ensuring that-

(a) all citizens, without discrimination on any group whatsoever, have the opportunity for securing adequate means of livelihood as well as adequate opportunity to secure suitable employment;

(b) conditions of work are just and humane, and that there are adequate facilities for leisure and for social, religious and cultural life;

(c) the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused;

(d) there are adequate medical and health facilities for all persons:

(e) there is equal pay for equal work without discrimination on account of sex, or on any other ground whatsoever;

(f) children, young persons and the age are protected against any exploitation whatsoever, and against moral and material neglect;

(g) provision is made for public assistance in deserving cases or other conditions of need; and

(h) the evolution and promotion of family life is encouraged.

18. (1) Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.

(2) Government shall promote science and technology

(3) Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy; and to this end Government shall as and when practicable provide

(a) free, compulsory and universal primary education;

(b) free secondary education;

(c) free university education; and

(d) free adult literacy programme.

19. The foreign policy objectives shall be -

(a) promotion and protection of the national interest;

(b) promotion of African integration and support for African unity;

(c) promotion of international co-operation for the consolidation of universal peace and mutual respect among all nations and elimination of discrimination in all its manifestations;

(d) respect for international law and treaty obligations as well as the seeking of settlement of international disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation, arbitration and adjudication; and

(e) promotion of a just world economic order.

20. The State shall protect and improve the environment and safeguard the water, air and land, forest and wild life of Nigeria.

21. The State shall -

(a) protect, preserve and promote the Nigerian cultures which enhance human dignity and are consistent with the fundamental objectives as provided in this Chapter; and

(b) encourage development of technological and scientific studies which enhance cultural values.

22. The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people.

23. The national ethics shall be Discipline, Integrity, Dignity of Labour, Social, Justice, Religious Tolerance, Self-reliance and Patriotism.

24. It shall be the duty of every citizen to -

(a) abide by this Constitution, respect its ideals and its institutions, the National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Pledge, and legitimate authorities;

(b) help to enhance the power, prestige and good name of Nigeria, defend Nigeria and render such national service as may be required;

(c) respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood;

(d) make positive and useful contribution to the advancement, progress and well-being of the community where he resides;

(e) render assistance to appropriate and lawful agencies in the maintenance of law and order; and

(f) declare his income honestly to appropriate and lawful agencies and pay his tax promptly.



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Chapter III

Citizenship



25. (1) The following persons are citizens of Nigeria by birth-namely-

(a) every person born in Nigeria before the date of independence, either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents belongs or belonged to a community indigenous to Nigeria;

Provided that a person shall not become a citizen of Nigeria by virtue of this section if neither of his parents nor any of his grandparents was born in Nigeria.

(b) every person born in Nigeria after the date of independence either of whose parents or any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria; and

(c) every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria.

(2) In this section, "the date of independence" means the 1st day of October 1960.

26. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 28 of this Constitution, a person to whom the provisions of this section apply may be registered as a citizen of Nigeria, if the President is satisfied that -

(a) he is a person of good character;

(b) he has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria; and

(c) he has taken the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution.

(2) the provisions of this section shall apply to-

(a) any woman who is or has been married to a citizen of Nigeria; or

(b) every person of full age and capacity born outside Nigeria any of whose grandparents is a citizen of Nigeria.

27. (1) Subject to the provisions of section 28 of this Constitution, any person who is qualified in accordance with the provisions of this section may apply to the President for the same of a certificate of naturalisation.

(2) No person shall be qualified to apply for the grant of a certificate or naturalisation, unless he satisfies the President that -

(a) he is a person of full age and capacity;

(b) he is a person of good character;

(c) he has shown a clear intention of his desire to be domiciled in Nigeria;

(d) he is, in the opinion of the Governor of the State where he is or he proposes to be resident, acceptable to the local community in which he is to live permanently, and has been assimilated into the way of life of Nigerians in that part of the Federation;

(e) he is a person who has made or is capable of making useful contribution to the advancement; progress and well-being of Nigeria;

(f) he has taken the Oath of Allegiance prescribed in the Seventh Schedule to this Constitution; and

(g) he has, immediately preceding the date of his application, either-

(i) resided in Nigeria for a continuous period of fifteen years; or

(ii) resided in Nigeria continuously for a period of twelve months, and during the period of twenty years immediately preceding that period of twelve months has resided in Nigeria for periods amounting in the aggregate to not less than fifteen years.

28. (1) Subject to the other provisions of this section, a person shall forfeit forthwith his Nigerian citizenship if, not being a citizen of Nigeria by birth, he acquires or retains the citizenship or nationality of a country, other than Nigeria, of which he is not a citizen by birth.

(2) Any registration of a person as a citizen of Nigeria or the grant of a certificate of naturalisation to a person who is a citizen of a country other than Nigeria at the time of such registration or grant shall, if he is not a citizen by birth of that other country, be conditional upon effective renunciation of the citizenship or nationality of that other country within a period of not more than five months from the date of such registration or grant.

29. (1) Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declaration in the prescribed manner for the renunciation.

(2) The President shall cause the declaration made under subsection (1) of this section to be registered and upon such registration, the person who made the declaration shall cease to be a citizen of Nigeria.

(3) The President may withhold the registration of any declaration made under subsection (1) of this section if-

(a) the declaration is made during any war in which Nigeria is physically involved; or

(b) in his opinion, it is otherwise contrary to public policy.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1) of this section.

(a) "full age" means the age of eighteen years and above;

(b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.

30. (1) The President may deprive a person, other than a person who is a citizen of Nigeria by birth or by registration, of his citizenship, if he is satisfied that such a person has, within a period of seven years after becoming naturalised, been sentenced to imprisonment for a term of not less than three years.

(2) The President shall deprive a person, other than a person who is citizen of Nigeria by birth, of his citizenship, if he is satisfied from the records of proceedings of a court of law or other tribunal or after due inquiry in accordance with regulations made by him, that -

(a) the person has shown himself by act or speech to be disloyal towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria; or

(b) the person has, during any war in which Nigeria was engaged, unlawfully traded with the enemy or been engaged in or associated with any business that was in the opinion of the president carried on in such a manner as to assist the enemy of Nigeria in that war, or unlawfully communicated with such enemy to the detriment of or with intent to cause damage to the interest of Nigeria.

31. For the purposes of this Chapter, a parent or grandparent of a person shall be deemed to be a citizen of Nigeria if at the time of the birth of that person such parent or grandparent would have possessed that status by birth if he had been alive on the date of independence; and in this section, "the date of independence" has the meaning assigned to it in section 25 (2) of this Constitution.

32. (1) The president may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Chapter, prescribing all matters which are required or permitted to be prescribed or which are necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to the provisions of this Chapter, and for granting special immigrant status with full residential rights to non-Nigerian spouses of citizens of Nigeria who do not wish to acquire Nigerian citizenship.

(2) Any regulations made by the president pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be laid before the National Assembly.



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Chapter IV

Fundamental Rights



33. (1) Every person has a right to life, and no one shall be deprived intentionally of his life, save in execution of the sentence of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty in Nigeria.

(2) A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section, if he dies as a result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably necessary -

(a) for the defence of any person from unlawful violence or for the defence of property:

(b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or t
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 10:51am On Aug 06, 2007
Nothing to say much but i have to comment on aisha2, denex and anando,
you people have try your best to see does ignorant people have come to light, but still yet they are thwarted by there ignorance. well you people have tryied.

let me inlight them a little.

banning trousers amoung women is not the issue but indesent dresing is what the good govermenrt want to implement
if i may say no religion in allow that. women can wear trousers but not all trousers are accepted. going to a worship places (churh mosque) with minis or undies, is totally not good but they are all trousers. if you consider your self from a desent home you can do that. my goodness i thougth were advancing to another stage, i cann't belive some of the post i m seeying here. it appears to have come from a illitrate  people. plz for God sake let us stop pointing finger to one another. Even though 65% of nigerians are mulislim it doesn't  mean that they dont respect other religion in the country.

But i belive is a welocome  idea. and i hope other governos will emulate him soon.

Talking about america, i am totally diapointaint of does mensioning it here, atleast we should be proud of ur own rich and diverst culture not bering other people culture here. atleast in nigeria we respect woman so we will not be a party
of making your women animal like.

if you like american culture is  okay then i suggest you marry (if you are a man you marry a man, if you are a woman you marry a woman) in that way we will know that you are civilize, since that is what they called rigth.

Talking about the arabs are illitrate plz just check your history coz i im not the one to tell you smiley
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 11:00am On Aug 06, 2007
@ESilove
Quoting the constitution does not make you less ignorance. Please what Moslem state has ever arrested women for wearing trousers? I believe it is against the law to stop women from wearing what they want to wear but base your arguement on proper information Benue and Lagos are not Moslem states and no woman has ever been harrased in any Moslem state for wearing trousers
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Nobody: 11:05am On Aug 06, 2007
@aisha2 you are right

i am just chating with her now? trying to let her understan.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Ralvy(m): 11:10am On Aug 06, 2007
Insanity undecided
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by denex: 11:18am On Aug 06, 2007
@aisha2

I remember back in high school in Kano, muslim girls were the ones that opted to wear trousers and muslim and even Indian women have been wearing trousers centuries before modern haute couture. So there is no way Islam would ban trousers! Islam actually encourages the wearing of trousers.

aisha2, didn't get your mail. The email addy is nexbestthing@yahoo.com
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by esilove(m): 11:26am On Aug 06, 2007
THAT IS HUMAN RIGHT ABUSE

35. (1) Every person shall be entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty save in the following cases and in accordance with a procedure permitted by law -

(a) in execution of the sentence or order of a court in respect of a criminal offence of which he has been found guilty;

(b) by reason of his failure to comply with the order of a court or in order to secure the fulfilment of any obligation imposed upon him by law;

(c) for the purpose of bringing him before a court in execution of the order of a court or upon reasonable suspicion of his having committed a criminal offence, or to such extent as may be reasonably necessary to prevent his committing a criminal offence;

(d) in the case of a person who has not attained the age of eighteen years for the purpose of his education or welfare;

(e) in the case of persons suffering from infectious or contagious disease, persons of unsound mind, persons addicted to drugs or alcohol or vagrants, for the purpose of their care or treatment or the protection of the community; or

(f) for the purpose of preventing the unlawful entry of any person into Nigeria or of effecting the expulsion, extradition or other lawful removal from Nigeria of any person or the taking of proceedings relating thereto:

Provided that a person who is charged with an offence and who has been detained in lawful custody awaiting trial shall not continue to be kept in such detention for a period longer than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by ebos(m): 11:37am On Aug 06, 2007
I see Nigeria sitting on a time bomb if they continue this way. They will soon unfold their plans, and by then, the violence upon violence that may follow will be like a hamattan.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by denex: 11:40am On Aug 06, 2007
@esilove

human liberty simply means non-confinement or freedom from being apprehended or detained.

Liberty does not mean you should behave anyhow you like.
Re: Dress Code In Benue; Ladies Banned From Wearing Trousers! by Ralvy(m): 11:49am On Aug 06, 2007
esilove,
I'm right behind ya,
There are so, stupid, I mean this is complete insanity.
Like u said, They are just saying this so they can brag about the finances that went into increment of moral decensy in the state. This is just to cover up for all the nasty criminal acts they are carrying out.
God, Help Nigeria*

Whey benue anyway?

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