Aristotle on Constitutionalism and Citizenship: A Critical Appraisal of the Nigerian Situation

Abstract

There exists a relationship in the ideas of constitution and citizenship such that wherever people exist there is a constitution, which is supposed to originate from the people in order to be regarded by them as an authentic document that is meant to order their conducts and interactions. The constitution therefore serves as the basis upon which daily activities of governance of a people must be based. It depends for its existence and functionality on the citizens. It is intended to provide guidance to the governors and the governed in order to avoid excesses, lawlessness and instability, and to ensure orderliness, good governance and national development. Aristotle examines constitution and citizenship and locates the importance of the former in the protection of the citizens' rights and the establishment of order, justice and harmony in society. Sadly, that is not the true practical reflection of the essence of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The constitution of Nigeria seems to protect and provide for only the privileged few. Gross impunity and total disregard to the principles and dictates of the constitution is the order of the day in the country. Based on the foregoing, this paper examines Aristotle’s thesis on constitution and citizenship in comparison with what obtains in Nigeria. It argues that the constitution of Nigeria does not truly emanate from the people, and does not seem to provide and protect the ordinary citizens. This, the work gleans to be responsible for disharmony, instability and chequered national development. In the final analysis, the paper concludes that a true people-oriented constitution is urgently needed in Nigeria to right the numerous wrongs plaguing good governance and the development of the country