Section 218 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria
Section 218 of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 is about Command and operational use. It is under Chapter VI (The Executive) of the Act.
(1) The powers of the President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation shall include power to determine the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation.
(2) The powers conferred on the President by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.
(3) The President may, by directions in writing and subject to such conditions as he may think fit, delegate to any member of the armed forces of the Federation his powers relating to the operational use of the armed forces of the Federation.
(4) The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the regulation of –
(a) the powers exercisable by the President as Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federation; and
(b) the appointment, promotion and disciplinary control of members of the armed forces of the Federation.
Credit: Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC)
