FUNDAMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLE OF STATE POLICIES UNDER CHAPTER TWO OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA (2004) AS A CLOG IN THE WHEEL OF DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA: AN EVALUATION

Abstract

Without doubt most modern states are governed under a single document which stands prominent in modern constitution. The advantage of such a constitution is its precision and brevity which clearly leaves much room for flexibility and necessary in a dynamic state. The Nigerian constitution judged by the standard of democracy as contained in modern constitutions, would appear to have attempted to promulgate a democratic form of government but the issue of development is under great pressure to which all of us are complete strangers. Fundamental human rights were not created by the state but are external and universal institution common to all mankind and antedating the state and founded upon natural land. By and large the provision of Chapter two of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004 as amended in respect of the provision of fundamental objectives and directive principle of state policies is one of our most unfortunate circumstances which lacks an overriding economic ideology. This is the greatest dilemma in our country and the attitude of most Nigerian government is one of a tendency towards non development, unprecedental upheaval, oppression, war and the blatant abrogation of rights to development. It certainly appears unwise to accept being immune to the atrocities perpetrated by our leaders at all level. The teeming millions of our illiterate or semi illiterate people had no hand in the making of the constitution. Therefore chapter 2 of the constitution need to be amended to enable individuals sue the government and demand their rights to development1.