Give any six reasons for the breakdown of the Macpherson Constitution of 1951

Answer Details

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951, though more liberal than its predecessors, collapsed within a few years. The following are six reasons for its breakdown:

1. Excessive regionalism: The constitution strengthened the three regions so greatly that regional and ethnic loyalty grew stronger than national unity, weakening the central government.
2. The self-government crisis of 1953: Anthony Enahoro's motion for self-government in 1956 was opposed by Northern members, who tabled a delaying amendment; the resulting quarrel between the leaders split the House.
3. The Kano riots of 1953: The bitter exchanges over the self-government motion provoked violent riots in Kano between Northerners and Southerners, deepening mutual distrust.
4. The Eastern Region crisis: The dispute within the NCNC between Nnamdi Azikiwe and Professor Eyo Ita over control of the Eastern regional government created a deadlock that the rigid constitution could not resolve.
5. Weak central legislature and executive: Ministers were appointed without real portfolios or executive authority, so the constitution failed to satisfy nationalist demands for genuine responsible government.
6. Absence of consensus among nationalist leaders: The leaders of the three regions could not agree on the pace and form of constitutional advance, making cooperation at the centre impossible.

These pressures forced the summoning of the 1953 London Constitutional Conference, which produced the Lyttleton (federal) Constitution of 1954 in its place.