Features of the Colonial Constitution I – JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note (First Term)

A colonial constitution is a set of rules made by the British government to govern Nigeria before independence in 1960.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. state the features of Clifford’s Constitution of 1922 and Richards’ Constitution of 1946;
2. mention the advantages of each constitution;
3. identify the disadvantages of each constitution;
4. name the first political party in Nigeria and the person who established it;
5. compare the two constitutions.

What are the key terms used in colonial constitutions?

Five terms appear again and again in this topic.

• Executive council: the group that advised the governor and helped to carry out government decisions.
• Legislative council: the body that made laws for the country.
• Elective principle: the idea that some members of the legislature are chosen by voters, not appointed by the governor.
• Veto power: the governor’s power to reject a law or decision.
• Regionalism: the division of a country into regions, each with its own administration.

What is Clifford’s Constitution of 1922?

Clifford’s Constitution of 1922 was the constitution named after Governor Hugh Clifford, who represented the British Crown in Nigeria.

What are the features of Clifford’s Constitution?

• Executive council: it provided an executive council to advise the governor.
• Legislative council: it provided a legislative council for the Colony and the Southern Protectorate.
• Elective principle: it introduced elections into Nigeria for the first time.
• Political parties: it made party politics possible, for example the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923.
• Newspapers: Nigerians were free to run newspapers.
• Elected seats: four members were elected, three from Lagos and one from Calabar.

What are the advantages of Clifford’s Constitution?

• Elections: the elective principle made it possible for Nigerians to be elected into the legislature.
• Political parties: it allowed political activities and the formation of parties.
• Press: it allowed Nigerians to establish newspapers.
• Central legislature: it set up a legislative council of 46 members for the Colony and the Southern Protectorate.

Which was the first political party in Nigeria?

The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) was the first political party in Nigeria.

• Founder: Herbert Macaulay.
• Year: 1923.
• Origin: it grew out of the elections introduced by Clifford’s Constitution.

What are the disadvantages of Clifford’s Constitution?

• White executive council: only Europeans were members, and no Nigerian sat on it.
• Limited elections: the elective principle applied only to Lagos and Calabar.
• North excluded: the Northern Protectorate had no part in the legislative council.
• Hard conditions: the conditions for voting and contesting were too difficult to meet.
• Governor’s veto: the governor could reject decisions of the council.

What is Richards’ Constitution of 1946?

Richards’ Constitution of 1946 was the constitution named after Governor Arthur Richards, and it replaced Clifford’s Constitution.

• Aim: to promote the unity of Nigeria.
• Aim: to encourage Nigerians to take part in their own affairs.

What are the features of Richards’ Constitution?

• Three regions: it divided Nigeria into three unequal regions: East, West and North.
• Regional bodies: it set up a regional house of assembly in each region.
• Executive council: Europeans still dominated it, and no Nigerian was a member.
• Governor’s veto: the governor kept veto powers.
• Whole country: the central legislative council now covered the North as well as the South.

What are the advantages of Richards’ Constitution?

• Nigerian voice: it gave Nigerians a say in their own affairs.
• Federalism: it laid the foundation for federalism in Nigeria.
• Regionalism: it introduced regional government by dividing the country into three regions.
• Politics: it encouraged political activities.
• Press: it encouraged the establishment of newspapers.
• North included: the North joined the central legislative council for the first time.

What are the disadvantages of Richards’ Constitution?

• Unequal regions: the three regions were not equal in size and population.
• Governor’s veto: the governor could still reject decisions.
• European control: Europeans still dominated the executive council.
• No Nigerian members: no Nigerian sat on the executive council.
• Elective principle: it was kept, and it was still difficult to operate.

What is the difference between Clifford’s and Richards’ Constitutions?

Clifford’s Constitution brought elections and political parties, while Richards’ Constitution divided the country into regions.

Evaluation

1. Mention three disadvantages of Clifford’s Constitution of 1922.
2. State three advantages of Richards’ Constitution of 1946.
3. Name the first political party in Nigeria and the person who founded it.
4. Which constitution introduced the elective principle into Nigeria?
5. Which constitution divided Nigeria into three unequal regions?

Assignment

Write a short answer on the features of Clifford’s Constitution of 1922 and the advantages of Richards’ Constitution of 1946.

• Further reading: Fundamentals of Civic Education for Basic 8 by Sola Akinyemi, pages 130 to 133.