CONSTITUTIONALISM, POVERTY AND INEQUALITY IN AFRICA: A LEGAL SURVEY

Abstract

Constitutionalism has nexus with the primacy and supremacy of the Constitution in a given political unit.Constitutionalism presupposes allegiance, fidelity, homage, obedience or adherence to the principles and thespirit of the Constitution by all persons and authorities including the parliament. This paper does not merely showthe nexus between constitutionalism, poverty and inequality but also surveys the impact[s] of poverty andinequality on constitutionalism in Africa. The researcher used Nigeria as a case study. The research methodologyadopted in this paper is doctrinal while the approach is analytical. The researcher found inter alia that equalitybefore the law being one incident of rule of law commands a prominent place in securing fidelity to the principlesand the spirit of the Constitution. Also, poverty which basically may be moral poverty, intellectual poverty, orfinancial poverty has ways of affecting the rule of law and constitutionalism. It is the researcher’s conclusion thatthe promotion of a planned and balanced economic development and regional economic cooperation in Africaare needed to tackle poverty and inequality to a very large extent. It is accordingly recommended inter alia thateach State in Africa should control her 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. EachState in Africa is also advised to direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educationopportunities at all levels.