The Merit and demerit of various types of constitutions in nigeria

Merit of Written constitution

it has great precision ,it is very simple ,consistency ,it is always clear and definite as it is planned, deliberated upon and drafted by skillful person who always make efforts to reduce vagueness and ambiguity ,rights of the citizens are more secure when they are embodies in the written constitution and protected by an impartial judiciary ,written constitution are more stable and less subject to parliamentary manipulations  read; The types of constitutions

Demerit of writing constitution

it takes time to draft and expensive ,written constitution creates problems in the progress of the state,,particularly if its procedure of amendment is difficult ,it is not easy and understood by the ordinary man ,it is very rigid and difficult to amend ,it often attracts disputes and litigation,
read The defect of MacPherson constitution of 1951 and major provision

Merit of unwritten constitution

much disputes and litigation are not involved ,it is very easy to understand by an ordinary man ,it is very flexible and can easily be amended ,it grows with the need of the people and exigency of the time ,it is less expensive since it does not involve any formal constitutional enactment and difficult process in its amendment ,Elasticity and adaptability: being derived most from customs and usages, unwritten constitution is easily adaptable to any situation and time.read, Nigeria Republic constitution of 1963-The constitution review of 1963: the republican constitution

Demerit of unwritten constitution

unwritten constitution is said to be unstable and does not stand the difficult test of time
it is easily manipulated by the legislature and can bring about dictatorship of the executive in a parliamentary system of government
it is not suitable for federal system of government
Since it is unwritten, the constitution cannot be presented as a document of reference, thus leaving judicial decisions as the main source of the law of the state.

Merit of flexible constitution

it is easily amended- which takes care of urgent constitutional issues ,it is easily amended and constantly enrich with new ideals and therefore cannot be said to be too old ,it is a very good unitary state and enables the central authority to have effective control over its citizens ,there is little or no constitutional conflicts and litigation among the citizens and the government.  read, Nigeria Independent constitution of 1960

Demerit of flexible constitution

flexible constitution is inconsistent imprecise in prescription and therefore can lead to political instability ,the right and liberty are not adequately protected under flexible constitution due to constant change ,flexible constitution may lead to dictatorship or tyrants to flexible of the constitution. ,Because the constitution is easily amended, it may offer those in authority the opportunity to make unnecessary changes to the disadvantages of the citizens.

merit of flexible constitution 

It does not allow unnecessary change, it allow only change that will benefit the entire people ,It prevent the emergency of dictatorship or tyrants due to check and balance ,It ensure the protection of individual liberty since the constitution is not easily amended to deny them such right ,It is very precise and consistent in it prescription and this makes for stability of government

Demerit of rigid constitution

It is very rigid to amend which delays action of government ,It is too demanding and costly ,It involves high degree litigation from the citizens and the government ,Rigid constitution is not to amend and change hence it can easily become too old.

Merit of unitary constitution

Very easy to amend ,All the power of the state resides on the center and therefore gives the central government opportunity to takes quick action ,Less expensive-since it does not allow duplication

Demerit of unitary constitution

It may lead to the emergency of tyrants or dictatorship ,It may result to irrational discussion

Merit of federal constitution

It shares power between the federal government and its component states ,The separation of power between the executive, legislature and judiciary ,Federal constitution is written and rigid does not allow for unnecessary change that will not favour the people ,It makes provision for a supreme court to settle conflict, to ensure the supremacy of the rules of law and equality fall.