Theory question 109
Constitutional Development in Nigeria(a) Outline three merits of the Lyttleton Constitution.
(b) Highlight three demerits of the Constitution.
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(a) Any three: made Nigeria a true federation (1954) with powers divided into exclusive and concurrent lists, residual to regions; regions got more autonomy and their own premiers; Lagos became federal territory; regionalised the civil service, judiciary and marketing boards; direct elections to the House of Representatives; Southern Cameroons got its own legislature; Speaker replaced the Governor as head of the legislature in some houses.
(b) Any three: encouraged regionalism and ethnic politics; Governor-General kept wide reserved powers; no Prime Minister at the centre (no single head of government); strengthened regions at the expense of the centre, sowing seeds of secession; minority problems not addressed; regionalised police and civil service caused duplication and cost.
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