THE SCOPE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

ABSTRACT The Right to Freedom of Association is a fundamental right guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as Amended. This research was able to find out the problems facing the Right to Freedom of Association in Nigeria. It also went as far as identifying the various ways or means by which the right to freedom of association has been violated by both the individuals during the military regimes from 1984-1999, and the government through the interference of the public authorities in the affiars of the trade unions activities and also through the provisions of the public order act which violates this right to freedom of association, guaranteed by the constitution.through this research we were able to find out the limitations to this right to freedom of association, where by a particular section of the constitution is guaranteeing this right and the other section is limiting it, thereby making this right not absolute.this project also gave recommendations to the problems facing the Right to Freedom of Association in Nigeria. In conclusion, except the judiciary invalidate any government or other actions which violates the rights of trade unions in Nigeria and ensure that the constitution and laws of the land are fully complied with, and also review the provisions of the public order act which violates the rights to freedom of association by the national assembly,this right to freedom of association will continue to be violated.