ABSTRACT
'Constitution' may be defined as a- document having a special legal sanctity which sets out the framework and the principal functions of the organs of government within the state, 'and declares the principles which those' organs must operate. Moreover, it includes the whole system of government of a country, the collection of rules which establish and regulate or govern the government. Therefore, a constitution may be written or unwritten. But the practice of most modern governments, including Nigeria, is to have a written constitution. Constitutional principles were gradually introduced into Nigeria,by the British colonial power from annexation of Lagos in 1862 to independence in 1960. Thus, the issue of constitution for Nigeria has been as old as the formation of the country itself . Even after independence, the search for a durable constitution had occupied the government. The post independent constitutions for. Nigeria were usually short-lived as a result of Military' Coup D'etat. Of the thirty nine years of the country's existence, only ten years ' were spent under constitutional governments. Dictatorships, military or otherwise are antithesis of constitutional government. The Practice of Military Governments in Nigeria has been to' suspend or abrogate some certain sections of the. constitution. A kind of combination of dictatorship and constitutionalism.