The Nigerian Constitution Lied To You: How Section 6(6)(c) Legalized Failure in Governance.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com

When the framers of the Nigerian Constitution assembled to write what would supposedly become the supreme law of the land, Nigerians were sold the illusion of a social contract. The Constitution is decorated with lofty promises, sweetened with elegant words and adorned with the kind of commitments that any citizen would be proud of.

You have seen them before in Chapter Two

“THE GOVERNMENT SHALL PROVIDE HEALTH CARE.”

“EVERY NIGERIAN CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO EDUCATION.”

“THE STATE SHALL ENSURE ADEQUATE SHELTER FOR ALL CITIZENS.”

These words were carefully crafted to inspire HOPE, to sell a DREAM, to convince a PEOPLE that the government exists to serve them; but behind those noble words lies the GREATEST FRAUD of all ~ Section 6(6)(c) of the same Constitution.

It is here that the Nigerian Constitution betrays its people. Hidden under legal jargon, Section 6(6)(c) quietly DISARMS the citizenry:

“The judicial powers vested in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this section (shall not, except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, extend to any issue or question as to whether any act or omission by any authority or person) is in conformity with the Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy.”

In simple English, this means the courts cannot punish the government for failing to keep its promises in Chapter Two.

Rights That Are Not Rights.
What does this mean for the ordinary Nigerian? It means that when your child is denied education, when your mother dies because of an empty hospital ward, when your community is cut off from civilization because of impassable roads, you cannot drag the government to court. You cannot enforce what was presented to you as your “RIGHT.”

In fact, these so-called RIGHTS are not RIGHTS at all. They are ASPIRATIONS, mere political poetry. They look good on paper, but they carry no weight in law. And so, Nigerians live under a system that openly mocks them: PROMISES WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, rights without remedies.

This is not a mistake. It is deliberate.

The Anatomy of a Betrayal.
Professor Ben Nwabueze, one of Nigeria’s foremost constitutional law experts, once described Chapter Two as “THE CONSCIENCE OF THE NATION” but immediately lamented that Section 6(6)(c) “EMASCULATED” it. The Constitution itself admits that government MUST provide social justice, yet it simultaneously shields the same government from being held accountable.

The late legal luminary Chief Gani Fawehinmi repeatedly warned Nigerians that “A RIGHT WITHOUT A REMEDY IS A MEANINGLESS RIGHT.” He fought countless battles in court trying to stretch the interpretation of Chapter Two, but time and again, judges reminded him: THE LAW TIES THEIR HANDS.

And so, what we call the Nigerian Constitution is in truth a carefully written escape plan for politicians. It binds the poor, but frees the powerful.

Real-Life Consequences of Section 6(6)(c).
This constitutional sabotage is not theoretical, it is lived reality.

Education: According to UNESCO, Nigeria has the highest number of OUT-OF-SCHOOL children in the world, over 20 million. Yet, the Constitution boldly says “EVERY NIGERIAN CHILD HAS A RIGHT TO EDUCATION.” If that were true, how does Nigeria get away with this tragedy? Section 6(6)(c).

Healthcare: Nigeria accounts for 20% of global maternal deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Hospitals are empty shells, doctors underpaid and equipment outdated. The Constitution says “THE STATE SHALL PROVIDE ADEQUATE MEDICAL FACILITIES.” Yet, politicians fly abroad for checkups. Why? Section 6(6)(c).

Housing: Millions live in slums, shanties or under bridges. The United Nations estimates Nigeria has a housing deficit of over 28 million units. The Constitution promises shelter for all. In court, that “PROMISE” is not worth the paper it was written on. Again, Section 6(6)(c).

Employment: Youth unemployment in Nigeria is over 33%. Yet, the Constitution insists “THE STATE SHALL DIRECT ITS POLICY TOWARDS ENSURING THAT THERE ARE SUFFICIENT JOBS FOR ALL.” Try suing the government over joblessness and the judge will point to Section 6(6)(c).

A Rigged System.
This is not just about corruption. It is about a system designed to protect failure. Nigerians are ruled by laws that empower leaders to promise EVERYTHING and deliver NOTHING without consequence.

The Indian Constitution, which Nigeria borrowed heavily from, also has Directive Principles, similar to Chapter Two. Here’s the difference: India gradually converted some of these principles into enforceable rights. Today, education and healthcare are enforceable in Indian courts.

Nigeria copied the words but erased the ACCOUNTABILITY.

As Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka once said: “The Nigerian Constitution is not a document of the people. It is a document of deception, written to preserve privilege and impunity.”

Why Nigerians Were Kept in the Dark?
The tragedy is that most Nigerians have never even heard of Section 6(6)(c). Schools don’t teach it. Civic education glosses over it. Politicians never mention it. The ignorance is intentional. If Nigerians truly understood how the Constitution cheats them, they would rise in collective anger.

This is why leaders prefer to distract the masses with RELIGIOUS RHETORIC, TRIBAL POLITICS and ELECTORAL DRAMA. Anything to keep the people from realizing that the very foundation of their suffering is enshrined in the law itself.

The Way Forward.
If Nigeria is ever to break free from this cycle of betrayal, Section 6(6)(c) must be abolished or reformed. Social and economic rights must be made justiciable; enforceable in court.

Constitutional lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has argued consistently that unless Nigerians demand the enforceability of Chapter Two, governance will remain a theater of promises without performance. According to him: “Leaders must know that failure to provide education, health, housing and jobs is not an option, but a constitutional crime.”

Countries like South Africa have already done this. Their Constitution guarantees the right to housing, health care, food, water and social security and courts there regularly compel the government to act. If South Africa CAN, why CAN’T Nigeria?

Final Word: Burn That Section With Your Mouth.
Nigeria is not failing by accident. It is failing by design. That design is encoded in Section 6(6)(c). It is the most dangerous line in the Nigerian Constitution because it legalizes government irresponsibility.

They promised you heaven in Chapter Two, then quietly snatched it away in Section 6(6)(c).

It is time Nigerians stopped reciting the Constitution like poetry and started interrogating it as a political weapon; because right now, it is not a weapon for the people. It is a shield for the corrupt.

Until this section is reformed, every Nigerian must understand one painful truth: You were SET UP. You were LIED TO. Your Constitution is not YOUR FRIEND.

~ George Omagbemi Sylvester

Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com