A common feature in the 1963 and 1979 constitution of Nigeria was the

Step 1: Analyze the question We need a feature found in BOTH the 1963 (Republican) Constitution and the 1979 Constitution.

Step 2: Recall the key facts

• 1963 Constitution: Nigeria became a Republic with a President (ceremonial head) and a parliamentary system. The legislature was bicameral: a House of Representatives and a Senate.
• 1979 Constitution: Nigeria adopted the presidential system, modelled on the American system. The National Assembly was also bicameral: the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. Abolition of the Judicial Service Commission: Wrong. Both constitutions kept judicial bodies. The 1979 Constitution created the Federal Judicial Service Commission.
• B. Direct funding of local governments by the Federal Government: Wrong. The 1963 Constitution did not provide for this. Local government was a regional matter then. Direct federal allocation came later.
• C. Establishment of the Public Complaints Commission: Wrong. This was set up in 1975 under the Murtala/Obasanjo military government, not in 1963 or 1979.
• D. Provision for bicameral legislature at the centre: Correct. Both had two chambers, the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• E. Registration of political parties by FEDECO: Wrong. FEDECO (Federal Electoral Commission) existed in the 1979 context, not in 1963. In 1963 it was the Electoral Commission of the Federation.

Step 4: Answer The common feature was the bicameral legislature at the centre, which is option D.

Exam tip: For "common feature" questions on Nigerian constitutions, remember that the bicameral National Legislature (Senate + House of Reps) has appeared in nearly all civilian constitutions: 1960, 1963, 1979, and 1999. Features that are unique to one constitution, such as FEDECO (1979) or the Public Complaints Commission (1975), are usually the distractors.