(a) Describe the composition of the Executive Council of the 1922 Clifford Constitution. (b) Identify any five ways in which the Clifford Constitution was s...

Answer Details

(a) Composition of the Executive Council of the 1922 Clifford Constitution

The Executive Council under the Clifford Constitution was purely an advisory and official body dominated by the British. It was composed as follows.

1. The Governor, who presided over the council.
2. Senior colonial officials, namely the Chief Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Financial Secretary and other heads of government departments (all Europeans).
3. It contained no African members, and it merely advised the Governor, who was not bound to accept its advice.

(b) Significance of the Clifford Constitution to Nigeria

1. Introduction of the elective principle: It allowed, for the first time, the election of Africans into the Legislative Council.
2. Emergence of political parties: It led to the formation of parties such as Herbert Macaulay's Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923.
3. Growth of nationalism and political awareness: Electioneering stimulated political consciousness and press activity.
4. Expansion of the Legislative Council: It enlarged the council and gave it responsibility for law-making for the Colony and Southern Provinces.
5. Foundation for future constitutional development: It set the stage for later constitutions (Richards, Macpherson, Lyttleton) that widened African participation.