Theory question 107
Constitutional Development in Nigeria(a) Describe the composition of the Executive Council of the 1922 Clifford Constitution.
(b) Identify any five ways in which the Clifford Constitution was significant to Nigeria.
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(a) The Executive Council was made up entirely of British official members: the Governor as president and senior colonial officials (e.g. Chief Secretary, Lieutenant-Governors of the Northern and Southern Provinces, Attorney-General, Treasurer, Director of Medical Services); no African was a member. It advised the Governor, who could reject its advice.
(b) Any five: introduced the elective principle (3 seats for Lagos, 1 for Calabar); led to the first political party (NNDP, 1923); stimulated nationalist activity and newspapers; created a Legislative Council (46 members) for the Colony and Southern Provinces; gave Africans some experience of legislative work; lasted until 1946, giving a period of stability; its shortcomings spurred demands for reform.
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