Merits and demerits of Oliver Lyttleton’s Constitution of 1954 - SS2 Government Lesson Note

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Merits of Oliver Lyttleton’s Constitution of 1954:

· Increased autonomy for regions: The constitution provided greater autonomy for the regions within Nigeria, which allowed them to govern themselves more effectively and respond to the specific needs of their populations.
· Accommodation of diverse ethnic and cultural groups: The federal system of government created by the constitution allowed for the accommodation of Nigeria's diverse ethnic and cultural groups, which helped to maintain the country's unity.
· Improved representation: The constitution created a federal parliament, which provided for improved representation of different regions and ethnic groups in the government.
· Federal judiciary: The constitution also provided for a federal judiciary, which helped to ensure that laws were applied fairly and uniformly across the country.
· Peaceful transition to independence: The constitution paved the way for Nigeria's peaceful transition to independence, as it provided a framework for the country's government and institutions that could be built upon in the future.
Demerits of Oliver Lyttleton’s Constitution of 1954:
· Limited central government power: The federal system of government created by the constitution limited the power of the central government, which made it difficult to implement policies that were necessary for the development of the country as a whole.
· Regionalism: The constitution's emphasis on regional autonomy sometimes led to competition between the regions, which could hinder national development.
· Unequal representation: While the federal parliament provided improved representation of different regions and ethnic groups, it still favored the more populous regions, which could lead to feelings of marginalization among smaller groups.
· Undermined traditional rulers: The constitution undermined the power of traditional rulers, who had played a significant role in governance in pre-colonial Nigeria, which could have negative consequences for governance and stability.
· Maintenance of colonial-era structures: The constitution maintained many of the colonial-era structures of governance, which may not have been well-suited to Nigeria's unique needs and circumstances.