Civic Note - 014654
Civic Note - 014654
Civic Note - 014654
WEEK TOPIC
1 Revision/Constitutional Democracy
2 Rule of Law
3 Civil Service
6 Constitution
7 Federalism
8 Civil Society
9 Human Rights
WEEK ONE
Constitutional democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the
people which is based on the supremacy of the constitution. It can also be explained
as a democratic system in which the will of the people prevail, there fundamental
human rights recognized and protected and the principle of rule of law strictly
adhered to.
1. DIRECT DEMOCRACY
This is also known as classical democracy. It is a form of democracy in which all adult
citizens take active part in the management and political running of the state. This
type of democracy was practiced in Athens, the ancient city of Greece.
INDIRECT DEMOCRACY
This is also called representative democracy. This form of democracy is built on the
principle of majority rule because it allows a few elected representatives to make
decisions and formulate policies on behalf of the people. In other words, a
representative democracy is a type of democracy in which registered and qualified
electorates vote during election to determine who will represent their interest in
government.
EVALUATION
1. POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
MAJORITY RULE
MINORITY RIGHT
In a true democracy, majority have their way and minority have their say. The
interest and opinion of the people who are in the minority group is usually
unpopular and as a result they tend to be intimidated. However, constitutional
democracy ensures that the minority interest is protected and their opinion listened
to. It also ensures that everybody in the state enjoys their fundamental human rights
as provided by the constitution.
RULE OF LAW
Constitutional democracy operates with the principle of rule of law which states that
everybody is equal before the law and that the law of a state is supreme.
PERIODIC ELECTION
INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
THEORY
Rule of Law is the Principle that law (as administered by the ordinary courts) is
supreme and that all citizens (including members of the government) are equally
subject to it and equally entitled to its protection. It can also be defined as the
predominance of law over everybody.
The concept of the rule of law was popularized by professor A.V. DICEY in his book
titled ‘introduction to the law of the constitution’ published in 1885. It emphasizes
that government should rule according to the provisions of the constitution and that
the government should be subject to the law. Also that no citizen should be
punished except as prescribed by the law. The rule of law is also fundamental to the
principle of separation of power which condemns the concentration of power in a
single arm of government to avoid abuse of power.
EVALUATION
1. Equality before the law: this states that all men are equal before the law and
that no one is above the law. The law should not be manipulated to favor
anyone irrespective of wealth, post, class or status. All citizens of a country
should enjoy equal access to the law of the land, equal right to fair hearing
etc.
2. Impartiality: this means that the due process of law should be followed in
dealing with offenders. No one should be made to suffer any abuse of right,
loss of personal liberty or punished in any way unless found guilty by the law
court.
3. Guarantee of fundamental human rights: all citizens of a country should
enjoy their fundamental human right without any form of abuse. Such rights
include right to life, right to freedom of movement, right to freedom of
expression, right to fair hearing etc.
4. There should be separation of power between the three arms of government.
That is, separation of power between the executive, judiciary and the
legislature.
5. The law should be supreme on both the government and the citizens.
Government should rule in accordance to law of the country.
EVALUATION
The following are the factors that can limit the rule of law:
1. State of emergency: the rule of law may be limited when a state of
emergency is declared in a place. This can lead to abuse of human rights such
as restriction of movement.
2. The type of government in operation: the type of government such as
military government can lead to autocracy and dictatorship which will limit
the application of the rule of law.
3. Partial judiciary: when there is a partial judiciary or lack of independence of
the judiciary, the rights of individuals may not be guaranteed and this can
also lead to the limitation of the rule of law.
4. Special or administrative tribunals: such tribunals adopt special system of
trial different from that of the ordinary courts and they do not allow appeal
against their judgment.
5. Diplomatic immunity: ambassadors cannot be sued and prosecuted in the
countries where they are serving rather they can be repatriated. Also, some
people in government such as the president or governors enjoy immunity.
6. Parliamentary immunity: members of the parliament cannot be sued or
prosecuted based on the statements they make on the floor of the house.
7. Security of state: the rule of law can be limited when security personnel such
as the police carries out their duty to maintain security, and law and order. In
such cases, some peoples’ right may be violated.
8. Insanity: the rule of law does not apply to people suffering from mental
disorder and they are therefore not treated equally under the law.
FACTORS THAT CAN AID THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICATION OF THE RULE OF LAW
EVALUATION
1. Explain at least five factors that can limit the application of the rule of law
2. How can a successful application of the rule of law be achieved?
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. Give five factors affecting the successful application of the rule of law.
2. State the importance of rule of law.
3. What are those factors that can aid the successful application of the rule of
law.
4. What is a constitution?
5. Mention the arms of government.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Which of the following limits the rule of law (a) supremacy of law (b) citizens
fundamental human right (c) immunity granted to diplomats
2. To promote justice in a state, judges must (a) belong to the ruling party (b)
punish people who oppose them (c) enjoy security of tenure of office
3. The right of citizens to vote and be voted for is termed (a) indirect election
(b) general election (c) franchise
4. Military government are likely to be (a) accountable (b) democratic (c)
dictatorial
5. The fundamental laws of a country are contained in her (a) constitution (b)
manifesto (c) political agenda
THEORY
EVALUATION
1. Formulation of policies.
2. They ensure the implementation and execution of government policies.
3. They give useful advice to the government through the ministers or
commissioners.
4. They act as intermediary between the government and the general public in
dissemination of information.
5. Through delegated legislation, the civil service performs legislative function
by making bye-laws and such laws are obeyed.
6. The civil servants provide information and help in the preparation and
execution of annual budget and yearly statement of expected income and
expenditure.
7. The civil service provides social services to the people which help to improve
lives.
8. It also provides employment opportunities to members of the public.
9. The civil service also keeps official documents of government.
10. They also perform functions such as preparing bulletins, collection of taxes,
representing ministries and government in certain public functions and
meetings.
EVALUATION
1. Judicial Control: The court can also control civil service through trying
and punishing defaulters of criminal cases involving anybody including
civil servants.
Problems that hinder the effective functioning of the civil service are
1. Political instability
2. Bribery and corruption
3. Negative attitude towards work
4. Low incentive
5. Political interference
6. Tribalism, nepotism and favouritism
7. Bureaucracy i.e too much emphasis is laid on protocol especially on issues
that demand urgent attention.
EVALUATION
1. Whose duty is it to fund the civil service?
2. Explain the various ways of controlling civil service.
GENERAL EVALUATION
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. The judicial control of the civil service is vested in (a) the ministry of finance
(b) the press (c) the law court
2. All are ways of controlling the civil service except by (a) civil service
commission b) ombudsman (c) local government chairman
Lack of adequate control of the civil service leads to all except (a)
effectiveness (b) poor management (c) inefficiency
When too much emphasis is laid on protocol and official rules, it is termed
_______
All are problems facing the civil service except (a) Low incentive (b)
Nepotism (c) Lack of unskilled manpower
THEORY
WEEK FOUR
TOPIC: THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
The civil service commission is made up of members holding offices based on good
behavior and criteria set up by the government and it has a chairman.
EVALUATION
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. The Civil Service Commission is headed by a (a) chairman (b) councilor (c)
principal
2. The body responsible for regulating the civil service is _______ (a) Civil
Defence Commission (b) Civil Society Association (c) Civil Service Commission
3. All are functions of civil service commission except (a) Dismissal (b) transfer
(c) embezzling
4. The civil service commission is meant to recruit people into the civil service
based on ____ (a) merit (b) sentiment (c) tribalism
5. Nepotism is a problem facing the civil service commission. True/False
THEORY
TOPIC: CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen. It also means the state of having rights and
duties of a citizen.
Citizenship by birth
Citizenship by registration or marriage
Citizenship by naturalization
EVALUAION
1. What is citizenship?
2. State ways of acquiring citizenship.
CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH
EVALUATION
CITIZENSHIP BY NATURALIZATION
WITHDRAWAL OF CITIZENSHIP
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
A person shall forfeit his Nigerian citizenship if he is not a citizen of Nigeria by birth
and acquires or retains the citizenship of another country of which he is not a citizen
by birth.
EVALUATION
Explain the reasons that can warrant withdrawing citizenship granted to a foreigner.
GENERAL EVALUATION
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
THEORY
TOPIC: CONSTITUTION
SOURCES OF A CONSTITUTION
The sources of a constitution can be gotten from different ways which are:
The acts of parliament; these are laws that are passed by members of the
legislature (National Assembly) and State House of Assembly.
Historian Documents; these are histories of man and the country which could
be used as part of the constitution. Examples are The Bill of right or
fundamental human rights of 1689, the politician rights of 1628 etc.
Common Laws of the land; these are customs, conventions, norms, values,
principles or traditions of the country.
Written and commentaries of constitutional lawyers or scholars of note;
example is the rule of law by A.V. Dicey, separation of power by Baran
Montesquieu etc.
International agreements and treaties; these are agreements and treaties
that are signed between and among nations of the world e.g the UDHR
agreement on human rights.
EVALUATION
1. What is a constitution?
2. Mention the sources of a constitution.
GENERAL EVALUATION
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
THEORY
TOPIC: FEDERALISM
The central government is the federal government and the component units are the
state and local governments.
Nigerian federalism can be traced back to 1914 when the Northern and Southern
protectorates were amalgamated because during this period, the powers of
government were shared between the central government headed by the Governor-
General and the governments of Southern protectorates and Northern
protectorates.
REASONS FOR THE ADOPTION OF FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA
EVALUATION
1. What is federalism?
2. State the reasons for adopting federalism in a state.
ADVANTAGES OF FEDERALISM
1. EXCLUSIVE LIST OR POWER; The exclusive power reside mainly with the
federal government (central government). Some of the powers or subject
matters in the exclusive list include – police affairs, currency, foreign affairs,
defence, telecommunication, immigration and emigration, census, passport
etc.
2. CONCURRENT LIST OR POWER; These are powers shared between the central
government and the state government as stipulated by the constitution.
However, if there is disagreement between the central government and the
state government on issues contained in this list, the central or federal law
will prevail over the state law.Matters on concurrent list include – agriculture,
health, education, road, banks, insurance etc.
3. RESIDUAL LIST OR POWER; In Nigeria, residual powers are put under the
control of the local government in order to maintain law and order at the
grass root level. Powers under this list include – chieftaincy matters, motor
parks, markets etc.
GENERAL EVALUATION
1. What is federalism?
2. Explain advantages of federalism.
3. Mention the disadvantages of federalism.
4. What is drug abuse?
5. Highlight the causes of drug abuse.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
THEORY
Civil society is the arena outside of the family, the state and the market where
people associate to advance common interests.
It is also referred to as the ‘third sector’ of society distinct from government and
business organizations or the aggregate of non-governmental organizations and
institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens.
EVALUATION
Civil societies are critical actors in the advancement of universal values such as
human rights, the environment, labour standards and the fight against corruption.
EVALUATION
GENERAL EVALUATION
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
1. Another name for civil society is ______ (a) NGO’s (b) AIT’s (c) NFA’s
1. All are parts of activities of civil societies except (a) advocacy for
citizens (b) empowering the less privilege(c)constructing express
roads.
THEORY
1. How can civil societies help to influence the result of a general election?
2. Highlight two benefits of civil societies in a country such as Nigeria.
WEEK NINE
Human rights are basic or fundamental rights that citizens of a country must enjoy.
These rights are usually written in the country’s constitution.
Examples of human rights are: right to life, right to freedom of speech, right to
freedom of
movement, right to fair hearing, right to vote and be voted for, right to freedom of
religion etc.
All these rights can further be grouped into the following types;
POLITICAL RIGHTS
Right to vote and be voted for
Right to join any political party of one’s choice
LEGAL RIGHTS
Right to family life
Equality before the law
Right to personal liberty
CIVIL RIGHTS
Freedom of movement
Freedom of religion
Right to own property
EVALUATION
NATIONALISM
Nationalism is the desire to work for the freedom of one’s community and country
from political, socio-cultural and economic oppression by another people or country.
It is also the struggle against oppression, economic domination, foreign rule and
colonization.
Nationalist are leaders who strive for the unity and independence of Nigeria.
EVALUATION
Define nationalism
1. They helped to ensure that Nigeria got its independence from British rule.
1. They helped in the formation of political parties e.g NNDP, NCNC, AG,
NPC etc.
1. Define nationalism.
WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT
Nationalist leaders work for the ____ of their country (a) freedom (b) collapse
(c) slavery
o All are nationalist leaders except (a) Ahmadu Bello (b) Obafemi
Awolowo (c) former president Sanni Abacha
THEORY
1. Define nationalism.