The authority of a leader derived from a constitution is

1. Analyze the question The question asks what type of authority a leader holds when it comes from a constitution. This is about Max Weber's three types of authority, a common topic in JAMB Government.

2. Explain the concept Max Weber classified legitimate authority into three types:

• Traditional authority: based on customs, inheritance and long-standing practice (e.g., an Oba, Emir or traditional ruler who succeeds by lineage).
• Charismatic authority: based on the personal qualities, magnetism or heroic appeal of the leader (e.g., a revolutionary or religious leader with a strong following).
• Legal-rational authority: based on laws, rules and procedures, usually written in a constitution. The office holds the power, not the person (e.g., a President or Governor elected under the constitution).

Delegated authority (option B) is different. It means power passed down from a superior to a subordinate (e.g., a minister acting on behalf of the President). It is not one of Weber's three types and does not describe authority that comes from a constitution itself.

3. Solution

• The source of the authority is the constitution, which is a body of written laws and rules.
• Authority derived from laws and legally defined procedures is legal-rational authority.
• It is not charismatic (no personal appeal is involved), not traditional (no custom or heredity is involved), and not merely delegated (it comes directly from the law, not from a superior).

4. Answer The correct option is D. legal-rational authority.

5. Exam tip Link each type to its source:

• Traditional → Tradition/custom
• Charismatic → Character/personality
• Legal-rational → Law/constitution

If you see "constitution", "law" or "office" in the question, think legal-rational.