Constructing a nation through the constitutional process: the Canadian experience
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Date
2004
Authors
Adeleke
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
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Abstract
The paper seeks to contribute to the search for the appropriate constitutional framework by drawing
on the experience of Canada, a country that has used the constitutional process to resolve the
contradictions of the “two nations” concept that is at the heart of its historical and political
development. In addition to the multi-ethnic factor, Canada shares certain historical antecedents
with Nigeria. Both countries were creations of British colonialism and are therefore inheritors of
British political, legal, administrative and socio-cultural traditions. Both countries are also federal in
structure. However, whereas Canada has resolved the contradictions of its ethnic composition and
has now evolved into a nation Nigeria remains a “geographical expression” that is yet to evolve into
a nation. Nigeria has remained a country in search of nationhood. The Nigerian nation-in-being has
remained a mirage and would not evolve until a solution is found to the Nigerian Question.
Description
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Keywords
Constitutional process , Historical and political development , Geographical expression , Ethnic composition
Citation
Constructing a Nation Through the Constitutional Process: The Canadian Experience (2004). Benin Journal of Historical Studies 4 (1 & 2) 81-103