(a) Outline three merits of the Lyttleton Constitution
(b) Highlight three demerits of the Constitution.
(i) It introduced true federalism with the division of legislative powers between the regions and the centre
(ii) It removed the Governor-General and the Lieutenant Governors from membership of the Legislative councils.
(iii) It created the office of Regional Premier for the first time
(iv) Elections into the central, Western and Eastern Legislatures were direct.
(v) It created the posts of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to preside over the House of Representatives.
(vi) It extended democratic principles through expanded franchise and membership of the House.
(vii) It reduced official representatives in the Legislative Houses.
(viii) It regionalized the civil service and the judiciary.
(ix) It granted Nigeria ministers full ministerial responsibilities
(x) Southern Cameroon was granted autonomy
(xi) It established a Federal Supreme Court for Nigeria.
(b) Demerits (i)It failed to create hte office of the Prime Minister at the centre.
(ii) The mode of selecting the Ministers was undemocratic as they were appointed instead of elected
(iii) It retained the three regional structure despite calls for the creation of more regions.
(iv) The Governor still retained veto powers.
(v) It made no plans for eventual independence status like granting self-government.
(vi) It failed to provide for the second chamber at the federal level and Eastern Region.
(vii) It failed to provide for a uniform electoral system
(viii) It retained official members in the Northern Regional Assembly and in the Federal Executive Council
(ix) It rendered the central executive ineffective because the ministers held their allegiance to the Regions.
(x) The Nigerian Supreme Court had no power to entertain appellate cases. It was not the highest court of appeal.
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