The correct option is
C. presidential system of government.
Detailed Explanation:
- Understanding the Context:
- The 1963 Constitution of Nigeria established a parliamentary system of government, which was modeled after the British Westminster system. In this system, the Prime Minister was the head of government, and the executive branch was derived from the legislature.
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The 1979 Constitution marked a significant shift in Nigeria's governance structure by introducing a presidential system.
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What is a Presidential System?:
- In a presidential system, the President is both the head of state and the head of government. This means that the President has significant powers and responsibilities, separate from the legislative branch.
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The President is elected independently of the legislature, which allows for a clearer separation of powers among the branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial).
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Key Features of the 1979 Constitution:
- The 1979 Constitution established a federal system of government with a clear separation of powers.
- It introduced a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
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The President was given substantial powers, including the ability to appoint ministers and other key officials without needing legislative approval.
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Why Option C is Correct:
- The introduction of the presidential system in the 1979 Constitution was a fundamental change from the parliamentary system of the 1963 Constitution. This shift aimed to create a more stable and accountable government structure, reducing the likelihood of political instability that was prevalent under the parliamentary system.
Analysis of Other Options:
- A. Unitary system of government:
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This option is incorrect because both the 1963 and 1979 constitutions established a federal system of government. A unitary system centralizes power in a single national government, which was not the case in Nigeria's constitutional framework during these periods.
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B. Republicanism:
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While republicanism is a feature of both constitutions, it was not a distinguishing feature between the two. Both constitutions recognized Nigeria as a republic, so this option does not highlight a unique change introduced by the 1979 Constitution.
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D. Westminster system:
- The Westminster system refers to the parliamentary system of governance that was in place under the 1963 Constitution. The 1979 Constitution moved away from this system, making this option incorrect. The introduction of the presidential system was a departure from the Westminster model.
Summary:
- The 1979 Constitution introduced a presidential system of government, distinguishing it from the parliamentary system of the 1963 Constitution.
- The presidential system allows for a clear separation of powers and a more stable governance structure.
- Other options either reflect features present in both constitutions or describe systems that were not adopted in the 1979 Constitution.
Revision Summary:
- The 1979 Constitution introduced a presidential system of government.
- This system features a clear separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
- The shift from a parliamentary system aimed to enhance political stability and accountability.
- Understanding the differences between these systems is crucial for grasping Nigeria's constitutional evolution.