The Lyttleton constitution of 1954 was complementar y in nature, it is so, because it only effected certain changes in the structure and it also effected substantial changes in the 1953 and 1954 constitutional conferences. And it will be true if one asserts that the
decisions of the two conferences were embodied in the Lyttleton’s constitution.
McPherson constitution was revised through 1953 London and 1954 Lagos Constitutional Conferences. The product of this revision exercise was the Lyttleton Constitution.
3.5.1 Main Feature of Lyttleton Constitution
i. The Governor became known as the Governor – General of the Federation of
Nigeria and the Lieutenant – General became Governors of their respective region.
ii. The offices of the speaker and the deputy speaker were created to preside over regional legislatures with the exception of the North.
iii. The establishment of regional premiers who headed regional executive councils and appointed ministers to take care of government departments.
iv. The regionalization of the judiciary and the public service or the civil service.
v. A reduction in the number of official members and appointed members in the
central and regional legislatures as well as in the executive councils. The proportion of elected members was substantially increased.
vi. A revised division of powers between the central and regional governments.
vii. The central legislature was unicameral
viii. Each region had three ministers in the council of ministers at the federal level.
ix. There was no provision for the office of a Prime Minister at the centre.
3.5.2 The Strengths and Weaknesses of Lyttleton Constitution The strengths of the constitution includes the following:-
i. The constitution marked the beginning of direct elections to both the federal and regional legislatures in Nigeria.
ii. Nigerians were for the first time appointed ministers with portfolios (for example, Heads of Department).
iii. The constitution introduced the posts of permanent secretaries and parliamentary secretaries in Nigeria.
iv. The constitution moved Nigeria nearer to independence
v. The process of decision – making was also made more efficient by the involvement of the council of ministers.
The weaknesses of the constitution include the following:
i. There was no Bicameral legislature at the center.
ii. At a time when the call for independence was rife, the veto – power of the Governor – General was a big minus.
iii. The constitution did not provide for a uniform electoral system in Nigeria, in face of allegations, of partiality by the oppositions.
iv. The constitution could not successfully prevent regional allegiance by the ministers which was dangerous to decision – making process and national unity.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 3
Give any two of the recommendations made at the 1953 London Constitutional Conference.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Based on the analyses made in this unit, therefore, it could be deduced that the pre- independence constitution or the constitutional development phase one in Nigeria,
complements earlier effort in promoting national unity. This development also
introduced more flexibility into the decision – making process in the country.
5.0 SUMMARY
A summary of this unit can be made as follows:
- The pre-independence constitution allowed the Nigerians to contribute to their own development through participating into the politics of their nation.
- The constitutions aided the educated elites to fight for independence for Nigeria.
- It guided the leaders towards national unity ANSWERS T O SAES IN THIS UNIT
1. Lord Frederick Lugrad was the first Governor of Nigeria. Sir Hugh Clifford took over from him.
2. Richard’s Constitution was critized because it was imposed on Nigerian without prior consultations.
3. a. That the legislative power be shared between the centre and the federating regions, while residual powers are to be in the region.
b. Lagos should be ostracized from the Western region and be a neutral entity.
6.0 TUTOR – MARKED ASSIGNMENT
1. State and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Clifford Constitution of 1922.
2. Discuss the main features of Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 7.0 REFERENCES/ FURTHER READINGS.
Anyaele, J.U. (2003). Comprehensive Government, Lagos. A Johnson Publishers, Ltd.
Dibie, C.C. (2008). Essential Government. Ibafo, Ogun – State. Tonad Publishers, Ltd
Kolawole, D. (1998) (ed). Issues in Nigerian Government and Politics. Ibadan.
Dekaal Publishers
Nwankwo, B.C. (2002) Authority in Government: Nigeria and World Politics
Revised Edition. Onitsha Abbot Book, Ltd.
UNIT 5
INDEPENDENCE AND POST-INDEPENDENCE CONSTITUTIONS OR CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA II
TABLE OF CONTENT 1.0 Introduction … … …
2.0 Objectives … … …
3.0 Independence and Post – Independence Constitution or
Constitutional Development in Nigeria II … … … 3.1 Historical Background … … …
3.2 Main Features of Independence Constitution of 1960 … … … … 3.3 Strengths of the Independence Constitution … … … 3.4 Weaknesses of Independence Constitution … … …
3.5 Reasons for Political Instability in Nigeria after Independence … … 4.0 Conclusion … … …
5.0 Summary … … …
6.0 Tutor – Marked Assignment … … … 7.0 References/Further Readings. … … …
1.0 INTRODUCTION
In the last unit which is unit 4, you were taken through the pre-independence
constitutions or constitutional development in Nigeria I. These are constitutions drafted by European colonialists. You have learnt the strengths and weaknesses of all
of them and the struggles of the Nationalists for independence in Nigeria.
In this unit, therefore, our discussion is focused on the first indigenous constitution in Nigeria. A constitution which was not an imposition of the colonialists on Nigerians.
A constitution that does not provide for Europeans sitting in our parliament and deciding issues that borders on the development of the people about which the
Europeans know little or nothing about. A constitution which is democratic, the first ever to be so democratic because the peoples’ representatives made it and there was no reserved power for any leader.
The 1960 constitution conferred full independence on the entire country. It came into effect on 1st October, 1960 the date Nigeria attained the status of an independent country and remained in operation until 1st October, 1963 when Nigerian became a
republic. The independence constitution made Nigeria full – fledge sovereign state within the C ommonwealth of Nations.
2.0 OBJECTIVES
At the end of the unit; you should be able to:-
i. Give a historical background to independence and post-independence