1. 1979 Nigerian Constitution: Considered as the primary basis and primary influence for the 1999 Constitution, the 1979 Constitution provided a starting point for the drafting of the 1999 Constitution. The 1999 Constitution borrowed extensively from the 1979 Constitution, which served as the reference document for the drafters.
2. United States Constitution: The United States Constitution was another important source of inspiration for the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Elements such as the separation of powers among the three arms of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial), the fundamental human rights provisions, and the federal system of government were all influenced by the U.S. Constitution.
3. British Constitutional System: Nigeria, as a former British colony, retained some aspects of the British constitutional system in its 1999 Constitution. The concept of parliamentary supremacy and the Westminster model of government were influenced by the British system. Certain institutional structures, such as the two-chamber legislature (the Senate and the House of Representatives), also draw inspiration from the British model.
4. Customary Laws: The recognition and incorporation of customary laws and traditions in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution is influenced by the country's rich cultural heritage. Customary laws that have been in existence for generations and are deeply rooted in the various ethnic communities within Nigeria have been acknowledged and provided for in the constitution.
5. Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): The 1999 Nigerian Constitution incorporates principles from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948. The constitution seeks to protect and uphold fundamental human rights and freedoms as outlined in the UDHR.
6. Recommendations and Reports of Constitutional Conferences and Commissions: Several constitutional conferences and commissions were held prior to the drafting of the 1999 Constitution. These platforms allowed for discussions, debates, and collation of inputs from various stakeholders, including legal experts, civil society organizations, traditional rulers, and the general public. The outcomes and recommendations of these conferences and commissions significantly influenced the content and provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Overall, the sources of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution reflect a combination of international influences, Nigeria's own constitutional history, existing political structures, cultural traditions, and inputs from various stakeholders, resulting in a constitution that aimed to accommodate the diverse interests and aspirations of the Nigerian people.
