Describe how a Legislative Council was controlled in British West Africa before the Second World War.

Answer Details

In British West Africa before the Second World War, the Legislative Council was the law-making body in each colony, but it was firmly controlled by the colonial power so that real authority remained in British hands. The ways in which it was controlled include the following:

1. Official majority: The council was dominated by an official majority, that is, colonial officials (heads of departments and nominated officers) who outnumbered the unofficial and African members. Since officials were bound to vote as the Governor directed, the government could always carry any measure it wanted.
2. The Governor's presidency and control: The Governor presided over the council and controlled its business. He determined when it met, what it discussed and could dominate its proceedings.
3. Nomination rather than election: Most members, including the few Africans, were nominated by the Governor rather than elected by the people. Only a very small number of seats (in Lagos, Calabar and later a few coastal towns) were elective. Nominated members owed their positions to the Governor and could be removed by him.
4. The Governor's reserve and veto powers: The Governor possessed reserve powers to pass any bill the council rejected, and to certify measures as necessary in the public interest. He could also veto or refuse assent to bills.
5. Control by the Colonial Office in London: The Secretary of State for the Colonies in London supervised the council. Laws could be disallowed by the Crown, and the Governor acted on instructions from London.
6. Limited jurisdiction: The competence of the council was restricted, often to the Colony and not the whole territory (for example the Protectorate of Northern and Southern Nigeria was outside its full reach), and financial matters were closely controlled.
7. Restricted franchise and property qualification: The few elective seats were based on a narrow franchise with high property and income qualifications, so only a handful of Africans could vote, keeping popular control minimal.

In sum, through the official majority, nomination, restricted franchise and the Governor's overriding powers, the Legislative Council remained an instrument of colonial control rather than an organ of self-government.