Meaning of section 3 (4) of 1999 constitution

What is the Meaning of section 3 subsection four of 1999 constitution. In this article I will like to explain the Meaning of section 3 (4) of 1999 constitution

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Meaning of section 3 (4) of 1999 constitution

The section 3 subsection 4 of 1999 state that

The Federal Capital Territory, Abuja shall be as defined in Part II of the First Schedule to this Constitution

Federal Capital Territory, Abuja: This refers to the special area that serves as the capital city of Nigeria, separate from any individual state.

This statement is specifically referring to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria, which is the location of the country’s capital city of Abuja.

shall be as defined in section 2 of the First Schedule to this Constitution: This means the exact definition of the Federal Capital Territory’s boundaries is provided in a different part of the Constitution.

Remember the “First Schedule” we discussed earlier This sentence tells us that Part II of that Schedule specifically details the area that encompasses Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

In essence, this clause is pointing to a specific part of the Constitution that defines the limits and boundaries of Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria.

In simpler terms, the Constitution isn’t directly defining the borders of Abuja here. Instead, it’s saying that a separate document (Part II of the First Schedule) has that information.

These are some points in this section

Federal Capital Territory (FCT):

1 The FCT is a special administrative territory within Nigeria that is separate from the 36 individual states.

2 It serves as the capital region and seat of the federal government, housing the key national institutions and administrative centers.

Abuja as the Capital City:

1 The city of Abuja is the actual capital city that is located within the broader FCT.

2 Abuja was purposefully built and designated to replace Lagos as the capital of Nigeria in the 1970s.

Definition in the Constitution:

1 The geographic boundaries and extent of the FCT and Abuja are defined in Part II of the First Schedule to the Nigerian Constitution.

2 This means the constitutional document itself provides the authoritative delineation of the FCT and its capital city of Abuja.

In simpler terms, this statement is affirming that the Federal Capital Territory, which contains the capital city of Abuja, is officially defined and recognized within the Nigerian Constitution. The boundaries and geographic scope of the FCT are outlined in a specific part of the constitutional document, giving Abuja’s status as the national capital legal and constitutional standing.

This helps cement Abuja’s role as the administrative and governmental center of Nigeria, separate from the 36 individual states that make up the rest of the country’s federal structure.

Think of it like a separate section of the map book (Schedule) that shows the boundaries and definition of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This clause is important because it helps to clarify the status and boundaries of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as a separate entity within Nigeria.