During the 1957 and 1958 conference held in London and headed by the British secretary of state for the colonies, sir henry willink, Nigerians were asked to choose between having independent and creation of more states. The Nigerian political opted for independence. The federal election to the house representative were conducted and the house called for independence in October 1,1960 on July, 1960 the Nigeria independence act was established which ratified the above commissions that were established.
The history and development of the Nigerian constitution council of 1914: The Clifford constitution of 1922
Features of Independent constitution of 1960
The 1960 constitution still remains Nigeria a federation of three regionsThe queen was still the head of state but she was represented by a governor general -late Dr.nnamdi azikiwe, who was the first black and indigenous governor general of Nigeria. The features advantage disadvantages and criticism of Clifford constitution of 1922 in nigeria
The constitution provided for too chamber legislature- the house of representative and the house of senate, this was the first time Nigeria practice bi-cameral legislature
The 1960 constitution provide for parliamentary system in which the governor general appointed a prime minister. The prime minister is one whose party commands the majority support in the House of Representatives. This was the first prime minister in the history of Nigeria in the person of sir alhaji abubarkar tafawa belewa a native of bauchi in the northern region of Nigeria. The Nigeria 1979 constitution
The 1960 constitution also provided that where regional law conflict with federal laws the regional law will be declared null and void to the extent of its inconsistency with relevant laws
The highest court of law in the land was still the privy council in London
Under the 1960 constitution, the amendment of Nigeria constitution was removed from British authorities as the procedure for amendment were contained in the constitution itself.
The 1960 constitution provided for emergency power which was conferred on the federal government.
Merit of Independent constitution of 1960
The Nigerian affairs were left in the hand of Nigerian, to discuss
A Nigerian was made governor- general for the first time in the history of Nigeria
The provisions of lyttletons constitution in nigeria
The British authorities stopped being involved in the amendment of Nigeria constitution
Fundamental human right were given to Nigerians for the first time.
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