Observation

This was a very popular question. The candidates’ performance was very poor. Although, the question is simple and clear, some candidates misunderstood it. The candidates were expected to provide the following as answers to the question.

1. The retention of the federal system of government to ensure continuity of national integration and unity
2. Federal character principle to promote sense of belonging
3. Prohibition of a state religion to ensure freedom of religion
4. Provision that legislative business can be conducted in English, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba to ensure inclusive governance
5. Provision for dual citizenship to prevent frequent dispute over citizenship status
6. Declaration of assets by top government officials to promote accountability and transparency in government
7. Strict provision for the creation of states to guard against frivolous/frequent demands
8. Multi-party system of government to give freedom of choice to the people
9. Public office holders must be educated up to secondary school level. This is to give opportunity to large number of people in government
10. Retention of the neutral status of the Federal capital territory Abuja thus giving all Nigerians a sense of belonging
11. Rigid procedures for amending the constitution to avoid frivolous amendments to the constitution
12. Impeachment clause for president and governors on one hand, senate president and deputy and speakers and deputy speakers at the state level to check mate the abuse of power
13. Popular election provision for president and governors to make them acceptable to the people
14. Separation of powers of the organs of government to guarantee good governance/checks and balances
15. Fixed tenure of office for political office holders to prevent sit-tight syndrome
16. Supremacy of the constitution to avoid conflict with other laws
17. Fundamental human rights to guard against breaches of human rights
18. Citizenship provisions to enable people to know how to acquire it and lose it
19. Provision for Supreme Court to serve as arbiter in disputes among the levels of government and arms of government
20. Retention of local government system to allow for grass root participation and local development
21. Bicameral legislature at the centre to enable thorough consideration of bills before they are passed into law
22. Retention of the presidential system of government for the purpose of national integration