MERITS AND DEMERITS OF PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

Merits 
(1) the freehand given to the president in his choice of ministers allows him to pick capable hands wherever he can find them whether within or outside the party.
(2) Checks and balance in the system keeps everyone up and doing.
(3) The principle of individual responsibility upheld in this system makes each minister to be careful and accountable.
(4) Since the president is chosen by popular vote, his government gains legitimacy.
(5) Separation of power, like division of labour, makes the government efficient.
(6) the individual responsibility of the ministers to the president allows him to efficiently control them in line with his manifesto.
(7) It is democratic.
(8) The supremacy of the constitution helps to prevent both anarchy and dictatorship.
(8) tenure system allows the people the option of changing a government.
(9) the weakness or failure of each arm of government is easily identified due to separation of power (10) since the same person is both the head of state and head of government there is no room for divided loyalty.

Demerits
(1) There is delay in implementation due to bureaucracy.
(2) the difficulty in the process of impeachment may make the president to abuse power and still complete his term.
(3) There is no job security for the ministers as they can be dismissed at the president’s will.
(4) Lobbying.
(5) If the opposition is the majority in the parliament, they can frustrate the president’s actualization of his manifesto.
(6) this kind of system is very expensive to operate.

PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

                PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEM OF GOVERNMENT

Meaning: it is a system of government in which the head of state of the country is also the head of government. In this system of government, all executive powers are vested in one person called the president. He is assisted by the vice president to whom he can delegate some of his duties. Presidential system of government holds the principle of separation of powers among the three arms of government.

Features
(1) the executive president is both the head of state and the head of government.
(2) The president performs both ceremonial and executive functions.
(3) The president is chosen by general election.
(4) Members of the president’s cabinet are individually responsible to the president for their actions. So, he has control over them.
(5) The president appoints cabinet members but the appointment is subject to legislative ratification. (6) The president can dismiss or reshuffle members of his cabinet.
(7) The president is elected for a fixed term of office.
(8) There is separation of power among the three arms of government.
(9) The president can be removed by the parliament through the process of impeachment if found guilty of gross misconduct.
(10) The executive and the legislature are mutually exclusive to each other, i.e. a member of the legislature cannot be a member of the president’s cabinet and vice versa.  
(11) Bicameral legislature
(12) Rule of law, Supremacy of the constitution
(13) checks and balance

HIV/AIDS

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

HIV/AIDS

Meaning of HIV/AIDS: HIV means Human Immune Deficiency Virus. It is the virus that causes AIDS which means Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

How people can be infected by HIV/AIDS: Blood transfusion, Infected injection syringes, mother to unborn child, unsterilized hair cut instruments, sexual intercourse with infected persons.

Symptoms: there are two categories of HIV symptoms, namely: Major symptoms and Minor Symptoms. Major symptoms are: constant fever, loss of appetite for a long time, weight loss, prolonged diarrhea. Minor symptoms are: cough, whitish spots in the mouth, physical weakness, skin infections.

Prevention of HIV/AIDS: sterilize instruments before use, faithfulness to one’s uninfected spouse, use of condoms, total abstinence from casual sex, screening of blood before transfusion.

Cure for HIV/AIDS: the medical/scientific cure for HIV/AIDS has not yet been found. But with God all things are possible. Since God can raise the dead while science cannot, then even though science cannot cure HIV/AIDS God can cure it. Believe in God.

Jesus’ care for the sick (John 4:46-54; 5:1-8; 9:17)

How the church prevail over oppositions

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

How the church prevail over oppositions
The church realizes that we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. So, the church prevailed by
1. Faith,
2. Charity,
3. The Word of God,
4. Prayer,
5. Unity,
6. Hope and
7. Goodness.

Herod’s opposition to the Gospel

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

Herod’s opposition to the Gospel (Acts 12:1-24): Just to vex the church, Herod killed James. When he saw that the public were happy with this act, he also took Peter, but because it was the period of unleavened bread, he kept Peter in prison awaiting execution. Meanwhile, the church kept praying for Peter, and God answered by sending an angel to free him while the guards were asleep. He himself had thought it was a vision. When he got to the house of Mary the mother of John Mark where many believers gathered praying, he knocked and a damsel named Rhoda recognizing his voice said it was Peter but she was shunned. When they eventually opened the door, they were astonished to know that Rhoda was right, and they praised God for the miracle.

Opposition against Stephen

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

Opposition against Stephen (Act 6:8-15; 7:1-10): Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen preached the word of God. Then, certain men of the synagogue disputed with him, but they were unable to gainsay him. So, they conspired and leveled false accusations against him. He was arrested and tried at the Council. During his trial, he preached a very long sermon which touched them, but they hardened their hearts, and convicted him and stoned him to death. While he was dying, he prayed to God for their forgiveness.

OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

Arrest and imprisonment of the apostle (Act 4:1-31; 5:17-42): After the healing at the Beautiful Gate, Peter and John entered the temple. While they were preaching, the Sadducees arrested them for teaching the people that Jesus resurrected, thereby converting a great number that day. The next day, Peter and John were made to stand before the High Priest and the members of his Council. They were amazed at the apostles’ boldness. They knew that the miraculous healing at the gate was too convincing for the people not to believe. So, they had to free them after instructing them not to preach the Gospel anymore.  On another occasion, the apostles were arrested and imprisoned for preaching, but that night, an angel freed them and told them to continue preaching in the temple. The next day when they wanted to arraign them before the High Priest, they weren’t found in the prison. So, they went back to the temple and re-arrested them. At a point in their trial, there was tension which made Gamaliel to tell the council to be careful what they do to these men. He made reference to similar movements in the past (Theudas, Judas the Galilean), and advised that if this present one is not of God, then it will fizzle out just the same way as the others, but if this is of God, then fighting them, you would only be fighting God in vain. The council heeded Gamaliel’s advice.

Peter and the Gentile Converts

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

Peter and the Gentile Converts (Acts 10:1-48; 11:1-18): Cornelius was a Captain in the Roman Regiment. He lived in Caesarea. He was religious. One afternoon as he was praying, he had a vision in which an angel told him that he should send for Peter. The next day as the messengers were on their way to Joppa where Peter was, Peter himself had a vision in which he saw all kinds of animals, and he was told to kill and eat. But Peter refused, saying that he never ate anything unclean. The voice cautioned him not to call unclean what God has declared clean. This happened 3 times after which the thing was taken back up into heaven. While Peter was trying to understand the meaning of that vision, the 3 men arrived at the place. The Spirit urged him to go with them. So, he welcomed them and asked them to spend the night. The next day, they set out. When they got to Caesarea, Cornelius with his household were waiting. Peter let him know that although a Jew is prevented by his religion from entering the house of a gentile, yet he came to his house because God has instructed him not to call defiled what He has declared clean. So, Peter started preaching the Gospel, and while he was still speaking, the Holy Spirit came down upon all. Then, the Jewish believers who came with Peter were surprised about the fact that God pours out his spirit even upon the Gentiles. After that, they were all baptized. The news went throughout Judaea, and in Jerusalem, Peter was criticized for entering the house of a Gentile, but Peter explained to them and they stopped criticizing him and started praising God.

Peter’s Ministry in Lydda and Joppa

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

Peter’s Ministry in Lydda and Joppa (Acts 9:32-42): As peter went about spreading the gospel, he got to Lydda where he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for 8 years. Peter healed the man and this miracle made the people of Lydda and Sharon to give their life to Christ. In Joppa, there was a woman named Tabitha (Dorcas in Greek, meaning a deer), a believer. She spent her time and money helping the poor. Then, she became sick and died, but they didn’t burry her immediately. They sent for Peter who at that period was in Lydda (not far from Joppa). When Peter arrived, Tabitha’s corpse was already surrounded by widows crying and showing him the coats she did for them while she was alive. Peter prayer brought her back to life, and the news spread across Joppa such that many people got converted. Peter remained many days in Joppa in the house of Simon a tanner of leather.

Significances of Saul’s conversion

SS3 CRS

2nd Term

Significances of Saul’s conversion: (1) It shows that God loves the sinner but hates the sin. Whereas God doesn’t like the way Saul was persecuting the believers, yet God still loved Saul and made him to be converted so that his soul might be saved. (2) Nothing is too difficult for God to do. Saul was notorious yet God converted him. (3)Saul did what he did against the believers out of sincere passion for God. This is why when he discovered that it is the same God he thought he was fighting for that he was actually fighting against, he channel the same magnitude of passion into the new religion. (4) it is possible for a person to be doing a bad thing with a good intention. (5) Christians should pray for the conversion of their persecutors because most times, they really do not know what they are doing.

Saul’s Conversion

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

Saul’s Conversion (Act 9:1-30): Saul was a devout of Judaism. As a religious exclusivist, he detested every other religion. So, he perceived the advent of Christianity as a movement that would contaminate the sacredness of Judaism. Thus, he was determined to eliminate those “enemies of God”. In order to do this legally, he asked the High Priest to give him a letter to the Synagogue at Damascus so that he can catch the believers and drag them in chains to Jerusalem. On his way to Damascus, Jesus appeared to him and said “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Saul asked “who are you?” and Jesus replied “ I’m Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and enter the city and you will be told what you are to do.” The sudden brightness of Jesus’ appearance got Saul blind. He rose from the ground and was led by the hand into the city of Damascus. For 3 days, he couldn’t see, eat or drink anything. Then, one believer named Ananias was directed in a vision to go to the street called Straight where he would see Saul praying. He was to lay hands on Saul for him to regain his sight. But Ananias replied that he had heard a lot about how Saul had been persecuting the Christians. God assured Ananias that he has chosen Saul to carry the Gospel to the Gentiles. So, Ananias went, laid his hand on Saul, and Saul regained his sight. He was baptized, and immediately, he started preaching. Then, people who knew him were surprised. After some days, the Jews started plotting to kill him. Saul got to know about their plot, so while they waited at the gate, his disciples passed him though an opening in the wall, and lowered him in a basket. Getting to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the company of believers there, but they were all afraid of him because they didn’t believe he had been converted. So, Barnabas presented him to the believers assuring them he is now one of us. Being accepted in the fold, he went with them preaching in Jerusalem. Paul’s message caused a dispute between him and the Hellenists. They planned to kill him. When the believers learned about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.

MISSION TO THE GENTILES

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

MISSION TO THE GENTILES

The gentiles are the non-Jews. Before the advent of Christianity, Judaism was the religion of the Jews. The Jews believed that they are the ones that worship the only true God, and therefore, they are the only ones that would be saved. Thus, they perceived others as the unfortunate people that are doomed to destruction. However, no man but God has the master plan of man’s salvation. Thus, God sent Jesus for the salvation of both the Jews and the Gentiles. The church started in Jerusalem and spread across Jewish cities. When it was time for it to advance into the gentile nations, the spirit of Jesus arrested a man called Saul.

THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

                THE HOLY SPIRIT AT PENTECOST

The promise of the Holy Spirit (Act 1:8): Even before his death, Jesus had promised not to leave his disciples lonely, but to give them a comforter, guardian and spiritual companion namely, the Holy Spirit. Eventually, at the point of ascension into heaven, Jesus reassured the disciples that His Heavenly Father would send them the Holy Spirit. The presence of the Holy Spirit upon them would empower them to witness to the whole world that the prophesy about the Messiah has been fulfilled. To witness such a thing would require extra-ordinary power because people would hardly believe unless they see signs and wonders. Thus, the Holy Spirit comes to give Christians all that it takes to accomplish The Great Commission.

The coming of the Holy Spirit (Act 2:1-13): On the day of Pentecost, the believers were gathered in one place. Suddenly, the Holy Spirit came in with a strong wind and rested on the head of each of them as a tongue of fire. Thus, they started speaking in different languages as the spirit gave them utterance. Then, the people that have come to Jerusalem from different parts of the world to celebrate the Pentecost, were amazed by the fact that they could hear them in their different languages. At first, they thought that the people were drunk, and they started making fun of them, but Peter addressed them in response.

Peter’s Speech (Act 2:14 -41): Peter told them that they are not drunk, but that what is happening is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophesy which is that on the last days, God would pour out his spirit upon all flesh… and whosoever that call upon the Lord shall be saved. Peter reminded them of the great miracles signs and wonders done through Jesus to show them that he is the Messiah. But out of unbelief, they killed him, yet God raised Jesus back to life just as David prophesied. Jesus has been raised to the right hand of the Father who has sent us the Holy Spirit as promised. What you now experience is his gift poured out on us. When the people heard this, they were greatly touched, and they asked what they must do to be saved. Peter told them to turn away from their sin, believe in Jesus and be baptized. Most of them believed, and about 3,000 people were converted that day. 

GREED AND ITS EFFECTS: AHAB AND GEHAZI

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

GREED AND ITS EFFECTS: AHAB AND GEHAZI

Ahab seized Nabot’s vineyard (I kings 21:17-29): near Ahab’s palace lies a beautiful vineyard owned by Naboth, a Jezreelite. King Ahab desired the vineyard and asked Naboth to give it to him in exchange of another piece of land. Naboth refused and that made king Ahab very sad. When his wife jezebel asked him why he was sad, he told her and she planned to kill Naboth and take the vineyard.

The effects of Ahab’s greed: God sent prophet Elijah to go and tell king Ahab that because he had robbed Naboth of both his life and his vineyard, dogs would lick his blood just as they licked the blood of Naboth. When Elijah gave Ahab this prophesy, king Ahab humbled himself before the lord and God said that he wouldn’t bring the prophesy to pass during the life time of king Ahab, but it will happen to his descendant.

Gehazi’s greed and its consequences (2kings 5:1-27): After Naaman had been healed of his leprosy, he presented Elisha with gifts, but Elisha rejected the gift. So, naaman went away. Gehazi the servant of Elisha wasn’t happy with his master’s rejection of the gift, so he sneaked out of the house and went to meet naaman on the way. He lied that his master sent him to collect some of the gifts. Naaman willingly gave it to him. When Gehazi got home, Elisha cursed him for doing so, and his leprosy that left naaman fell upon Gehazi and his descendants.

Unwise decisions of Solomon and Rehoboam

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

Unwise decisions of Solomon and Rehoboam

Solomon’s unwise decision (I kings 9:15-23’ 11”1-13): King Solomon married 700 wives and had 300 concubines. He married some of them from among the idol worshipping nations. Thus, his wives turned him away from the lord. He even built temples for the foreign gods and worshipped them himself.

Rehoboam’s unwise decision and its consequences (I kings12:1-20): when king Solomon died, he was succeeded by his son Rehoboam. The people of isreal came to rehoboam and asked him to ease their burden. He told them to come back in 3 days when he would give them his response. Then he consulted the elders who consulted him to ease their burden. He rejected this advice and went to the youths who told him to make the people work even harder. He accepted the advice of the youth. This made the people to reject him as king. The other tribes left him and made Jeroboam their king. It is only Judah and Benjamin that remained with Rehoboam as a way of being loyal to the Dynasty of King David.

MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN: Wisdom of Solomon

SS2 CRS

2nd Term

MAKING DECISIONS AS A CHRISTIAN: Wisdom of Solomon

Solomon’s request for wisdom from God (I Kings 3:3-15): King Solomon loved the lord and he sacrificed 1000 burnt offered into the lord at Gibeon. This made the lord to appear to Solomon in the dream and told him to ask for anything at all. King Solomon asked for wisdom and it was given to him. God made him the wisest king that ever lived.

How Solomon applied his wisdom (I kings 3:16-23; 4:29-34): two women brought a case to the king’s court. One of them rolled over her baby in slumber and the baby died. She quickly exchanged the dead baby with her roommate’s living baby. At dawn, her roommate found out that the dead baby isn’t hers, then they started arguing. When the case was brought to king Solomon, he threatened to kill the living baby in order to bring both of them to equal grieve. The acceptance of the idea by one of the woman proved to king Solomon that she wasn’t the owner of the living baby. So, the other woman was given the baby. This wise approach made king Solomon famous.

Building of the temple and its dedication: before king David died, he made all necessary materials for the building of the temple to be available. Thus, it was easy for king Solomon to build a magnificent temple. During its dedication, the glory of the lord filled the temple. And God promised to put his name there forever.

Judiciary

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

Judiciary: this is the arm of government that interprets the law and applies the existing law to particular cases in order to determine the rightness or wrongness of the act.

Functions: (1) interpretation of the law (2) settlement of disputes (3) punishment of offenders (4) prevention of wrongful act (5) entertaining complaints from aggrieved people (6) protection of the constitution by spotting laws that are null and void. (7) review of the activities of the other arms

Independence of judiciary: an independent judiciary is one which is free from the interference of the other two arms of government. Judges should be free in interpreting the law without fear or favor, otherwise there will be partiality in judgment, and citizens’ rights will be trampled on by selfish politicians. The following are essential for independence of the judiciary: (1) Appointment: Judges and magistrates should not be appointed by the executive or the legislature, but by a neutral body such as the Judicial Service Commission. (2) Promotion: of judges should also be done by an independent body (3) Remuneration: of judges should be sufficient so as not to make them vulnerable to bribes from politicians. And because he who pays the piper determines the tune, judges’ salaries should not be paid by the executive, but from a consolidated account. (4) Security of tenure: no other arm of government should have the power to sack a judge. His job should be secure as long as he is just. (5) Military security: judges should have security aides to avoid intimidation outside the court.

Executive

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

Executive:  this is the arm of government that is responsible for implementing the law. This includes the president/prime minister, the ministers, governors, ministries, civil service, police, armed forces, and other government agencies. They carry out the day-to-day work of government.

Functions of the executive (1) policy formulation (2)supervision (3)appointment of top officials (4) declaration of war (5)representing the state in international organizations (6)to initiate bills (7)to prepare the budget (8)to maintain laws and order (9) to sign bills into law (10) to make delegated legislations

Types:

1.       Parliamentary executive: this is the kind of executive that is headed by the prime minister. Here, the members of the executive are also members of the parliament. They have collective responsibility.

2.       Non-parliamentary executive: members of this kind of executive are not members of the parliament. It is headed by the president. His ministers are individually responsible for their decisions and action.

STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT: Part 1 - Legislature

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION OF GOVERNMENT

There are three arms of government, namely: Legislative, Executive and Judiciary

Legislature: the major function of the legislature as one of the organs of government is law making. It is also the center of discussions about policies, programmes and ideas and the place where important decisions are made. In different countries, the legislature assumes different names as follows: the parliament, national assembly or congress.

Functions:  (1) Law making (2)financial control (3)power of investigation (4)ratification of appointment (5)amending the constitution (6)Center of discussion of national issues (7)approval of declaration of war (8) ratification of treaties (9) serves as link between the government and the people (10) It can serve as an electoral college in cabinet system (11) approval of state and local government creation

Types:

(A) Unicameral legislature:  this is the type in which all the legislative functions are carried out by a single chamber. E.g. Israel and Bulgaria. Merits of unicameralism include: (1) it quickens he legislative process (2) it is less expensive to run (3) it does not create dumping ground for political deadwoods. (4) It is ideal for a small country with homogenous culture. Demerits of Unicameralism include: (1) bills can be passed into law without  hastily (2) it is easy for the president to manipulate (3) the different interest groups are not adequately represented in the legislature (4) there is inadequate checks and balance.

(B) Bicameral legislature: this is the type of legislature that is made up of two chambers, namely: the lower chamber and the upper chamber. In Nigeria, they are called House of Representatives and House of Senates. In Britain, they are called House of Commons and House of Lords. Merits of unicameralism include: (1) it allows for thoroughness in the process of law making (2)there is adequate checks and balance (3) adequate representation of all interest groups and constituencies (4) protection of minority interests (5) it is hardly manipulated or bought over by the executive. (6) it allows division of labour by assigning certain minor matters to the lower house. Demerits of Unicameralism include: (1) it is too expensive to operate (2)there is delay in the passage of bills (3) rivalry may exist between the two houses, and this might affect the law making process (4)there is duplication of function which results in waste of resources (5) it provides a dumping ground for political deadwoods

Bill: a bill is a proposed law. It is not a law until it is signed into law by the executive. For each bill initiated, the legislative discuss it thoroughly to see the different aspects of the law and its possible impact on the different aspects of the country. There are three types of bills, namely:

(1)    Public bills: this has to do with issues confronting the country. It is usually proposed by the executive.

(2)    Private members bill: this is a bill initiated by one of the members of the parliament.

(3)    Money bill: this bill informs on how government raises or spends money. It is introduced by the executive. E.g. Budget.

Procedure, How Bills Become Law

1.       First Reading: the title of the bill is read out by the clerk of the house. At this point there is no opposition. Copies of the bill are distributed to members to study.

2.       Second reading: the initiator of the bill moves that the bill be read the second time. At this stage, discussions are made concerning the principles of the bill, it is debated, and vote cast to determine whether the bill should be sent to a committee.

3.       The committee stage: a committee is formed to discuss it in detail, make amends and report to the house.

4.       The report stage: the committee reports, stating their suggestions to improve the bill.

5.       Third reading: a thorough examination is done on the bill in order to improve on its actual drafting. It is at this stage that the bill is either passed or rejected. If it is passed, then it will be sent to the upper house

6.       The Upper house: In the upper house, the bill passes through similar stages. If there is any further amendments, then both houses  will jointly set up a committee to iron things out

7.       Assent: the amended bill is sent to the president for assent. Once the president assents to the bill, it becomes a law.

Procedure for constitutional amendment: a written and rigid constitution requires at least 2/3 of the members of the parliament to approve it. An unwritten and flexible constitution is amended in the same way an ordinary law is enacted.

Types of Constitution

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

Types of Constitution

1.       Written Constitution: this is the type of constitution in which the fundamental principles concerning the organization of the political system and the powers of its various agencies are written down and codified in one single document. E.g. Nigeria. Merits of written constitution include: (1) proper documentation (2) clarity (3)ease of reference (4)it is obtainable as a single document (5) it ensures political stability. Demerits of written constitution: (1) it is not suitable for emergency situation (2) it is hard to ament to adapt to current situation (3)it hinders reforms (4)it contradicts the changing nature of reality.

2.       Unwritten Constitution: this is one in which the fundamental principles of the organization and powers of a government are not codified in one document. It is usually a combination of statutes, judicial principles, customs and conventions. Eg Britain. Merits of unwritten constitution: (1) it is flexible (2) it encourages developmental reforms (3) it reduces friction among the different units of government (4) it is suitable for emergency. Demerits of unwritten constitution: (1)it encourages arbitrary changes of laws (2) it may not be wholly known since it includes different conventions, statutes, customs etc. (3) no ease of reference (4) ambiguity (5)it is not suitable for a nation of heterogeneous cultures (6) one cannot ascertain an unconstitutional act

3.       Rigid Constitution: it is a kind of constitution that is very difficult to amend. It requires special process before it can be amended. Most rigid constitutions are rigid. Merits of rigid constitution: (1)the rights of individuals are not subject to arbitrary changes (2)political stability (3)it prevents dictatorship (4) it is a check against rash hasty decisions. (5) it is not open to manipulation by selfish politicians. Demerits of rigid constitution: (1)it delays rapid growth (2) it doesn’t give room to innovations (3) it may result in slow economic growth. (4)It may make dissatisfied citizens to resort to violent revolutions that may take lives and properties

4.       Flexible Constitution: this is a kind of constitution in which the method of amending the constitution is the same as that of passing an ordinary law. Thus, this type of constitution is easy to amend. The amendment can be done by a simple majority in the legislature. Merits of flexible constitution: (1) it can easily be changed to suit the changing situation (2) it aids quick decision making (3)obsolete laws can easily be replaced with new ones (3) it can easily meet the people’s needs. Demerits of flexible constitution: (1) it can easily be manipulated by selfish politicians (2) it is unsuitable to federalism because it endangers the autonomy of the subunits (3) it can bring about political instability (4)

5.       Unitary Constitution: in this kind of constitution, all political powers are concentrated in the central government. Other component units (state and local governments) have no constitutional power. However, the central government can delegate the local authorities, power to make policies peculiar to their localities. Features of a unitary constitution include: (1) flexibility (2) centrality of power (3)subordination of component units (4)undivided loyalty

6.       Federal Constitution: in this kind of constitution, political powers are shared among the three tiers of government, namely central, state and local governments. Since the power of each tier is clearly defined in and drawn directly from the constitution, then the autonomy of each unit is guaranteed by the constitution. Features of federal constitution: (1) it is written and rigid (2) powers are shared between the federal and the component units (3)it upholds the principle of separation of power of the arms of government (4) supremacy of the constitution (5) autonomy of the component units

Confederal Constitution: A confederation is a union of sovereign states, united for purposes of common action often in relation to other states. It is usually created by a treaty to deal with critical issues, such as defense, foreign relations, internal trade or currency, with the central government being required to provide support for all its members. A confederal constitution allows the confederating units to retain their sovereignty as well as an implicit right of secession. Unlike federalism, confederalism has a relatively week central government.

CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

CONSTITUTION AND CONSTITUTIONALISM

Definition: a constitution is defined as a body of agreed rules and principles stating how the powers of governing a country are given and how these powers are to be exercised.

Purpose: (1) to ensure orderliness in the society (2) to share responsibilities e.g. among the arms of government (3) to systematize procedure e.g. impeachment (4) to enable people know their civic rights and obligations (5)

Sources: (1) History of the people (2) act of parliament (3) customs and traditions (4) past constitutions (5) conventions (6) constitutional conferences (7) judicial precedents

Features: (1) The Preamble (2) the political structure (3)the political institutions (4) type of relationship (5)the party system (6) type of administrative structure (7) fundamental human rights (8) fundamental objectives of the state (9) the process of amendment (10) citizenship (11) tenure of office of government (12) how political leaders are to be elected. (13) It defines the structure of the civil service.

Difference between republicanism and monarchy

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

Difference between republicanism and monarchy

republicanism	monarchy
Head of state is the president	Head of state is the monarch
He is popularly elected by the people	He ascends the throne by heredity or power
He rules for a fixed term	He rules indefinitely
Government officials are accountable to the people	Government officials are accountable to the monarch
Government’s power is limited by the constitution	The power of an absolute monarch is unlimited
Everyone is equal before the law	The absolute monarch is above the law
Political office is held through election by the people	Political office is held through appointment

MILITARY GOVERNMENT

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

MILITARY GOVERNMENT

Definition: Military government is a form of unconstitutional administration of a state or country by members of the Armed Forces based on martial laws (decrees and edicts) after successfully overthrowing the civilian government of that country.

Features (1) the president is a soldier (2) the constitution is suspended (3) the president rules with decrees (4) no fixed tenure; the leader can hold on to power indefinitely (5) it is undemocratic i.e. the will of the people is not sought

Reasons for military intervention (1)corruption (2) incompetence of the existing leaders (3) marginalization (4) nepotism and tribalism in which the interest of one tribe is being promoted against those of the others

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

SS1 GOVERNMENT

2nd Term

REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT

Meaning: A republican government is a type of government in which the people (public) are allowed to exercise their right to elect their own president. It is a representative democracy in which government is by the consent of the people. Such a state is called a Republic – Re (represent); Public (the people)= a government that represent the people.

Features: (1) Sovereignty of the people (2) Rule of law (3) periodic election (4) Term of office (5)accountability of the government to the people (6) Equality before the law

Submission to the will of God: trust in God

SS 2 CRS

2nd Term

Submission to the will of God: trust in God

Before a person can submit to another person’s will, he must have trusted that person. That is, he must verify that the person is good to him, knows what is good for him and is able to do it for him. It is upon these three that submission to the will of God is predicated. God is omnibenevolent, omniscient, and omnipotent. A person that has affirmed these attributes of god cannot but submit to his will. The following are examples of those that submitted to God’s will.

David submits to the will of God (I Sam 26:1-25, 2Sam 12:15-25): David had the opportunity to kill Saul and become king, but since that is not the will of God, he allowed God’s time come (i.e. for God’s will to be done). Another instance where David showed submission is in the death of Bathsheba’s baby. David earnestly prayed for the boy’s life to be spared but since the boy died David saw it as God’s will.

Jonah submits to the will of God (Jonah 1 & 2): Jonah was a prophet of the lord sent to the people of Nineveh to tell them that God wants to destroy them because of their sin. But Jonah refused to go to Nineveh, instead he boarded a ship from Joppa to Tarshish. The lord troubled the sea to prevent the ship from its course. When Jonah discovered that it was because of him that this was happening, he asked the sailors to throw him overboard. As soon as Jonah was thrown into the sea, a great fish swallowed him. Jonah remained in the belly of the fish for 3 days. In his ordeal, Jonah prayed unto the lord and accepted God’s will for him to go to Nineveh. Hence, God commanded the fish to take him to Nineveh and vomit him there. He went to the people preached to them and they repented.

FRIENDSHIP

SS 2 CRS

2nd Term

FRIENDSHIP

Friendship is the relationship between two or more persons who know and like each other. There are 3 types of friendship (John 6:60-71): (1) Friendship of Utility: this exists between you and someone who is useful to you in some way. E.g. A and B are friends because each helps the other to do what he can’t do for himself. (2)Friendship of Pleasure: this exists between you and someone whose company you enjoy. These are usually ‘activity buddies’ because they usually do together that thing which they enjoy doing. (3)Friendship of the good: this is based on mutual respect and admiration. It often arises when two persons recognize that they have similar values.

Based on influence, friends can be classified into good and bad friends. A good friend is one who has a positive influence on you while a bad friend is that which has a negative influence on you. The following are biblical examples of model friendship: (a) Friendship between Jesus, Martha and Mary was cordial. (Luke 10:32-42) (b)Friendship between Jesus and Lazarus (John 11:1-44): when Lazarus died, Jesus wept out of the deep love he has for him, and this made him to raise Lazarus back to life.  (c)Friendship between Saul and David (I Sam 16:21-22; I Sam 18-19): before the incidence of Goliath, Saul loved David very much to the extent that he had to ask his father to allow David to come and stay with him in the palace. He even gave David his daughter as wife. This friendship went sour when the Israelites started praising David over Saul. It shows us that jealousy can spoil friendship. (d) Friendship between David and Jonathan: Jonathan the son of Saul also fell in love with David. Even when Saul his father had become enemy of David, Jonathan still remained faithful to David to the point that he normally created ways of escape for David wherever Saul planned to kill him and he gets to know about it. 

Consequences of disobedience

SS 2 CRS

2nd Term

Consequences of disobedience

Saul’s disobedience

Samuel the prophet commanded Saul the king to go and completely destroy the Amalekites and their properties. King Saul went but instead of completely destroying everything, he spared some of the best sheep and oxen and also brought their king, Agag alive. When Samuel came to Saul, Saul claimed that he had brought all these to be used as sacrifice unto God. Samuel rebuked him saying “to obey is better than to sacrifice.”

Saul’s rejection as king (I Sam 15:20-26) Saul disobeyed God’s commandment to him through Samuel, and the consequence of that disobedience was that he lost the throne. This teaches us that incomplete obedience is tantamount to disobedience.

The spirit of God left Saul (I Sam 16:14-23) The spirit of God left Saul and the evil spirit entered him to torment him since God has rejected him from being king. Saul’s servants suggested they get him a harp player to make him calm whenever the evil spirit attacks. Thus, they brought him David. King Saul liked David because he was handsome and talented.

Saul and his sons died on the same day (I Sam 31:1-13) Along with the spirit of god, the protection of God left Saul vulnerable to enemy attack. So, when he went to fight against the philistines, both he and his three sons Jonathan, Abinadab and Malchishua got killed at the battle field on the same day.

Others who suffer for their disobedience:

The young prophet (I Kings 13:11-24): In order to prevent the people of Israel from going back to Jerusalem in Judah for worship, Jeroboam built two alters one in Bethel and the other in Dan. Angry about this, God sent a prophet from Judah to prophesy against Jeroboam and the alters. The prophet did. God had instructed him not to eat or drink there, and not to return taking the same road. But as he was on his way home, a false prophet invited him to his house to eat, claiming that God told him to tell the good prophet that he should eat, drink and return through the same road. He obeyed the false prophet, and God punished him by making him to be killed by a lion.

The sons of Eli (I Sam 2:22-25; 4:10-11): another violation of the 5^th commandment is seen in the case of Eli’s sons. Their father was unable to have them obey God’s commands. They were disobedient to their father. The consequences of their disobedience were (a) their family lost the opportunity of continuing priesthood (b) they were killed in the battle field.

CONSEQUENCES OF OBEDIENCE

SS 2 CRS

2nd Term

CONSEQUENCES OF OBEDIENCE 

To be obedient means to do as commanded. God has commanded all human beings, and these commandments are enshrined in the Bible as the Ten Commandments. Since a command is not just a piece of advice, obedience or disobedience of God’s command must attract some consequences. It is these consequences that we shall find in this segment as we treat some personalities that obeyed or disobeyed the command and see the result of their action.

Joseph was rewarded for obeying God’s laws (Ex 20:1-17, Gen 39:7-12): the 7^th commandment states “You must not commit adultery”. During the life time of Joseph, the Ten commandments hadn’t been published, but being an eternal law, it had always existed in the heart of humanity (conscience). Thus, when joseph was confronted with the temptation of sleeping with his master’s (Potiphar’s) wife, he allowed his conscience to direct him on the right path. Hence, by sincerely obeying his conscience, Joseph obeyed God. At first he suffered, but later God blessed him and lifted him so high that he became the Governor of Egypt. This shows that if we obey God, we may encounter some temporary difficulties but we should understand that it is not those difficulties that are the consequence of obedience to God, rather, it is the permanent grace that comes afterwards.

David was rewarded for respecting a civil rule (Exo 20:13; I Sam 26:1-12): David lived in a period when the Ten Commandments had been published and is in vogue. The 6^th commandment states “you must not murder.” David had an ample opportunity to murder Saul, but he remembered God’s command and refrained from doing so. Because of this obedience, seeing that he wasn’t eager to ascend the throne before his appointed time and at the expense of the life of the anointed king, God blessed him by making him king at his appointed time.

The three Hebrew youth escaped death for obeying God to avoid idolatry (Exo 20:3; Dan 3:1-30): the first commandment states “thou shall not worship any other gods beside me.” Although these Hebrew youth were exiled in Babylon yet they remembered and feared God. Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue and invited all his officials and nobles to its dedication. He commanded all to bow to this image. Others did, but the 3 Hebrew youth didn’t. they preferred to obey God instead of mortal man. Nebuchadnezzar decided to punish them by throwing them into a fiery furnace. But God was with them in the fire, and delivered them. This made the king astonished; hence he declared that no one should speak against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. In fact, they were promoted. The lesson to be learnt here is that whenever the commands of human authorities contradict God’s command, one should uphold God’s command, and whenever legality contradicts morality, one should uphold morality.

Esther obeyed Mordecai (Esth 4:1-16): the 5^th command states “honour your father and mother…” Mordecai was Ester’s guardian before she became Queen. Haman was the enemy of the Jews; he had paid huge sum of money into the king’s treasury to have the Jews exterminated. When Mordecai got to know this, he and other Jews became troubled. Mordecai sent a message to Esther to go and plead the course of the Jews before the king, but Esther reminded him that going before the king without his express invitation was a suicide mission. However, Esther honoured Mordecai’s persistent appeal, and she had to take the risk. God blessed Esther for her obedience by making her to find favour in the sight of the king.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: ELI AND SAMUEL

SS 2 CRS

2nd Term

                PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: ELI AND SAMUEL

The irresponsible behaviours of the sons of Eli and Samuel (I Sam 2:12-25; 8:1-9): As a person who teaches others good morals, the priest is expected to inculcate in his own children the same morals. But in the case of Eli, such home training was absent. His children sleep with women in the temple. They treated the offerings which God’s people offered to God with utter disrespect. This act of theirs continued a long time, and it displeased God. The people complained about it, and it got to their father who cautioned them, but they would not listen.

God’s pronouncement of judgment on Eli and his sons. (I Sam 2:27-36; 3:1-18): One day, God told Eli that in the past, he had promised that Eli’s family which is in the lineage of Aaron would be priest forever. But now, because of the bad manners of his children, he would take the priesthood away from his family and kill all of them. As a sign that all the prophesy would come to pass, God told him that his two sons Hophni and Phinehas would die the same day.

Fulfillment of God’s judgment on Eli and his family (I Sam 4:10-22): a battle broke out between Israel and Philistines. The philistines defeated the Israelites, captured the Covenant Box, and killed Eli’s sons, Hophni and Phinehas. When Eli heard this, he fell off his seat, and being a 98 year old man, he broke his neck and died. The wife of Phinehas also got the news and suddenly went into labour, delivered a son who she named Ichabod, saying “God’s glory has departed!”. Then, she too died.

PARENTAL RESPONSIBILITY: ASA

King Asa pleased God (I Kings 15:9-15): the father of Asa was Abijam. Abijam followed his father’s (Rehoboam’s) sinful ways. This would have made God to remove the throne from his family, but for the sake of king David, his forefather, God allowed the throne to still remain in the family. So, when Abijam died, his son Asa succeeded him. But Asa refused to follow the evil ways of his father. He chose rather, to follow the good ways of his forefather David. Thus, Asa did what was pleasing in the sight of God. He also trained his son Jehosaphat to do good. This shows that Asa was not just a good descendant of David, but also a good father who took his parental responsibilities seriously.

King Jehoshaphat follows his father’s way of life (I Kings 22:41-44): King Jehoshaphat succeeded his father Asa as king. It is written “train up a child the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. King Jehoshaphat did not depart from the good training of his father Asa. Thus, he also did what was pleasing in the sight of God.

GOOD CITIZENSHIP

SS1 CRS

2nd Term

GOOD CITIZENSHIP

Meaning of good citizenship: A citizen is a legal member of a state. Such a person has certain rights and privileges which foreigners residing in the country do not have. E.g. right to vote and be voted for. But since Rights come with responsibilities, the citizen also has his or her own share of obligations/duties. Thus, what determines good citizenship is the fulfillment of these duties.

The duties of a citizen: (1) obedience to the law (2) payment of taxes (3) allegiance to the state (4) to vote during election (5)to fight in defense of the state in times of war (6)to prevent crimes by reporting intending criminals to the police (7)to facilitate justice by not withholding the truth about a case.

Peter’s message on the duties of good citizen (I Peter 2:13-17): Apostle Peter encourages us to obey the state laws because the governors are there to punish evil doers and reward the good. It is the will of God for us to convert others by our good deeds. We are free in Christ, but let’s not use that liberty maliciously. Honour all men, love the brotherhood, fear God and honour the king.

Our duties to those in authority (I Tim 2:1-4):  (1) To pray for them: we as Christians should always pray for those in authority for God to give them the wisdom to lead his people, and also for God to protect them from evil doers. (2) To obey them: We also have the duty of obeying the authorities so that we will not be a stumbling block to the developmental projects of the society. (3)To admonish others to obey: we should teach others to obey the government without unnecessary tension.