The 1922 Clifford Constitution PDF

www.covenantuniversity.edu.n Raising a new Generation of Leaders The 1922 Clifford Constitution By Duruji, Moses M. Background to the Constitution 1. The exclusio...

www.covenantuniversity.edu.n Raising a new Generation of Leaders The 1922 Clifford Constitution By Duruji, Moses M. Background to the Constitution 1. The exclusion of the educated elites by the Lugards Constitution fired these group to agitate for inclusion in the affairs of their country. 2. The platform provided by the National Congress of British West Africa after their 1920 meeting in Accra fired them up against the colonialists and their African collaborators. 3. That conference demanded for self-government and an elected legislature 4. But the British government rejection of the demand as ambitious and unrealistic could not stoke the fire, as the British authorities contemplated ways of accommodating them. 2 Feature of the Clifford Constitution 1. Retention of the existing Political structure 2. Establishment of Legislative Council of 46 members to make laws for only the Colony of Lagos and Southern provinces. 3. Establishment of Executive Council, to advise the governor. 3  Features of the Clifford Constitution 4 Franchise, it introduced the elective principle. But to participate you must be male,resident for 12 months and with income of 100 pounds Local Government, the native authority system was retained 5. Extension of Indirect Rule to Southern Provices, particularly in the east were warrant chiefs were imposed on the people. 4  Merits of the Clifford Constitution The introduction of elective principle was the first of its kind in British West Africa which encouraged political activities in Lagos and Calabar. Consequently, political parties were formed in 1923,ie Nigerian National Democratic Party, the Peoples Union and the Lagos Youth Movement It also gingered more activism that raised political consciousness as newspapers were founded namely, Daily Times,Anglo-Africa,Lagos Weekly Record, the Mirror and West African Pilot. It brought stability in the Nigerian political System, lasted 22 years. 5 Demerits of the Clifford Constitution The constitution did not reflect the wishes of Nigerians and lasted long inpite of widespread agitation. The Legislative Council was restrictive in scope and coverage( made laws for only lagos and southern provinces) The Legislative Council had no elected member from the North. 6  Demerits of the Clifford Constitution Majority of the members of the Legislative Council were unelected Europeans that had little understanding with aspiration of Nigerians The Majority of Nigerian members were selected by the British authorities and so exhibited penchant to cooperate with them. The extension of Indirect Rule System showed a lack of understanding of the political situation in the Southern provinces The franchise was narrow and restrictive (rich men in Lagos nd Calabar) The constitution was an imposition because Nigerians were not consulted. The executive Council was dominated by Europeans with no real executive powers. 7