What were the main features of the Independence Constitutions of the British West African countries?
The main features of the Independence Constitutions of the British West African countries are:
(i) Governor-General: He was appointed to represent the Monarch and with ceremonial functions.
(ii) Court of appeal: The judicial committee of the privy council was retained as the highest Court of Appeal for the country.
(iii) Executive functions: Executive functions were performed by the Prime Minister and members of his cabinet.
(iv) Parliamentary system: Independence Constitution embraced the British parliamentary system of government.
(v) Collective responsibility: Members of the Cabinet were collectively responsible to the legislature.
(vi) Drawn from parliament: The prime minister and his ministers (forming the executive) were drawn from the parliament, making them members of both organs of government.
(vii) Opposition party: The system recognised and legalised opposition party.
(viii) Citizenship: Provision was made in the constitution for Nigerian citizenship.
(ix) Fundamental Human Rights: It was entrenched in the constitution.
(x) Local authorities were equally part of the provisions of the constitution.
(xi) Public Service Commission: It was established to deal with matters of employment, promotion, and dismissal of civil servants.
(xii) Judicial Service Commission: This commission was also one of the features of the independence constitution.
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