Features Of The Colonial Constitution II JSS3 Civic Education Lesson Note

TOPIC: FEATURES FOR NIGERIA’S COLONIAL CONSTITUTION II

MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951

This constitution was named after Sir John Macpherson who replaced Richard’s in 1951.

 FEATURES OF THE MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951

1.          It created a central legislative council called the House of Representatives.

2.          Nigerians were appointed to the executive council as ministers (12 Ministers).

3.          It created a central executive council.

4.          It continued with the three unequal regions: East, West, and North regions.

5.          Each region had both legislative and executive councils.

 ADVANTAGES OF THE MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951

1.          It created for the first time the House of Representatives.

2.          It created a bi-cameral legislature for both the West and North regions.

3.          It encouraged the formation of political parties in Nigeria.

4.        It also retained the elective principle introduced by the Clifford constitution in 1922.

 DISADVANTAGES OF THE MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951

1.          The governor still had veto powers.

2.          There was no provision for the office of the Prime Minister.

3.          The existing political parties were regionally based.

4.          It failed to make Nigeria a full federal structure.

 EVALUATION

1.          Mention the features of Macpherson’s constitution.

2.          State two disadvantages of the Macpherson constitution.

 LYTTLETON CONSTITUTION OF 1954

FEATURES OF THE LYTTLETON CONSTITUTION

1.          It established a federal system of government. It gave Nigeria a full federal structure. 

2.    It made provision for the post of a speaker of the House of Representatives.

3.          It created the post of premier for each region.

4.       Lagos was detached from the western region and made the federal capital of Nigeria.

5.          Lieutenant-Governor in the regions became governors and the governor became Governor General.

 ADVANTAGES OF THE LYTTLETON CONSTITUTION

1.          Each region had its civil service and judiciary

2.          It gave birth to the federal system of government in Nigeria.

3.          It established a federal capital territory (Lagos).

4.          It established the post of a premier in each region.

5.          It created the offices of a speaker and a deputy speaker in the regions.

DISADVANTAGES OF THE LYTTLETON CONSTITUTION

1.          No provision was made for the post of prime Minister at the central level.

2.          There was no uniform electoral system in all the regions.

3.          The governor general still had veto power.

4.          The ministers were loyal to the regions.

5.          No provision was made for the bi-cameral legislature at the centre.

 EVALUATION 

1.          Mention the features of the Lyttleton constitution.

2.          What were the disadvantages of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954?

 GENERAL EVALUATION

1.          Identify the types of courage.

2.          State the attributes of a courageous individual.

3.          Mention the types of courts we have in Nigeria

4.          Mention five former presidents of Nigeria

5.          What are the qualities of a good Leader?

 READING ASSIGNMENT

Fundamentals of Civic Education for Jss2 by Sola Akinyemi Pages 133-135

 WEEKEND ASSIGNMENT

1.          ___ constitution gave birth to a federal system of government in Nigeria A.Clifford B. Richard C. Lyttleton D. Macpherson.

2.          ___constitution created for the first time the House of representative A. Richard B.Macpherson C. Clifford D. Lyttleton

3.       The Constitution created civil service in each region A. Richard B. LyttetonC.Macpherson D. Clifford.

4.          ___ constitution created the post of premier in each region. A. Lyttleton B. Richard C. Clifford D. Macpherson

5.          Which of the following constitution created a bi-cameral legislature for both the West and North regions? A. Clifford B. Macpherson C. Richard D. Lyttleton

THEORY

1.          What are the features of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951?

2.           Mention the advantages of the Lyttleton constitution.