Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Clifford Constitution of 1922 and Elective Principle

During the administrative implementation of the 1922 Clifford Constitution in colonial Nigeria, limited democratic representation was introduced for the first time through the elective principle. Which of the following conditions accurately specifies the voter qualification criteria established under this provision?

  1. An adult male residence of at least twelve months in Lagos or Calabar with a minimum gross annual income of ��100Answer
  2. B
    Universal adult suffrage for all taxpayers residing anywhere within the Northern and Southern Protectorates
  3. C
    Property ownership in any township across the Southern Provinces without any minimum annual income threshold
  4. D
    Adult male suffrage in all provincial capitals to elect members into both the Executive and Legislative Councils

Answer

The voter qualification criteria under the 1922 Clifford Constitution required adult male citizens to have resided in Lagos or Calabar for at least twelve months and to earn a minimum gross annual income of £100.
The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle which allowed four elected unofficial members to join the Legislative Council (three representing Lagos and one representing Calabar). To qualify as a voter, a person had to be an adult male who had lived in Lagos or Calabar for at least 12 months prior to registration and earned an annual gross income of at least £100.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the scope of the 1922 Elective Principle under the Clifford Constitution.
Identified that Sir Hugh Clifford introduced the elective principle in 1922, marking the first time Nigerians could elect representatives into the Legislative Council.
Establishing the constitutional context of franchise rights in colonial Nigeria.
2
Evaluate the statutory voter eligibility requirements specified by the constitution.
The franchise was restricted strictly to adult male British subjects or protected persons with a 12-month residence in Lagos (3 seats) or Calabar (1 seat) and a minimum gross annual income of £100.
Filtering out common misconceptions regarding nationwide application or universal suffrage.

Key Concept

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 and Elective Principle Criteria
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