In my Government lessons in Nigeria I was though about the various constitutions that were developed in Nigeria. There were different colonial master that ruled Nigeria and they all ruled with different laws and constitutions. It all started off with the first colonial master by the name Hugh Clifford whose constitution was named the Clifford Constitution. Let us treat here and now.
NIGERIAN COUNCIL OF 1914
Composition of the Nigerian Council of 1914
The Council was composed of the following; 36 members, the majority of whom were European or White officials who represented various interests, 2 Emirs from the north, the Alaafin of Oyo, Secretaries of the two provinces and 2 members each from Lagos, Calabbar and Benin-Warri area. The Council was an Advisory body to the colonial government.
Weaknesses of the Nigerian Council
The Council had the following weaknesses;
1. The Council was merely an advisory body.
2. The Council had no legislative powers.
3. Nigerians were unofficial members.
CLIFFORD CONSTITUTION OF 1922
When Sir Hugh Clifford took over from Fredrick Lugard, he considered the Nigerian Council inadequate for the administration of Nigeria and introduced a new constitution which was the first formal constitution for the country.
Features/Significance of the Constitution
1. Introduction of the first elective principle in Nigeria and in West Africa. (later in Gold Coast in 1925 and Sierra Leone in 1924)
2. A Legislative Council was set up with 46 members-27 official and 19 unofficial members.
3. There was an Executive Council composed of mainly white officials.
4. The legislative council legislated only for the southern province.
5. Laws for the north were made by Governor`s proclamations.
6. There were no Africans in the executive council.
7. It divided the north and south into provinces.
DEMERITS OF CLIFFORD CONSTITUTION
1. The exclusion of the north from the administration of Nigeria was seen as a reflection of the British principle of divide and rule.
2. By allowing only male adults with an income level of £100 pounds per annum to vote disenfranchised many Nigerians.
3. The governor retained veto power over executive and legislative councils.
4. It excluded Nigerians from the executive council.
5. The constitution vested much power on the governor including legislating for the northern Nigeria.
6. The majority of Nigerian un-official members nominated into the legislative council were illiterates.
7. The constitution excluded Nigerians from the executive council.
8. The constitution did not extend elective principle to the executive council.
