Question

Difficulty: MediumThe Clifford Constitution of 1922 and Elective Principle

Match each feature or element of the Clifford Constitution of 1922 on the left with its precise structural specification or administrative restriction on the right. Which correct pairings link each constitutional feature to its corresponding historical limitation or provision?

  • 1922 Executive CouncilRemained an advisory body composed exclusively of appointed British officials without African membership.
  • 1922 Elective Franchise CriterionRestricted voting rights to adult male British subjects or protected persons earning a minimum gross income of £100 per annum.
  • Legislative Council JurisdictionEnacted laws only for the Colony of Lagos and the Southern Provinces, leaving Northern Nigeria under proclamation rule by the Governor.
  • Distribution of Elected Legislative SeatsProvided four elective seats in total, allocating three seats to Lagos and one seat to Calabar.

Answer

The correct pairings are: the 1922 Executive Council was an advisory body composed exclusively of appointed British officials; the 1922 Elective Franchise Criterion restricted voting rights to adult males earning a minimum gross income of £100 per annum; the Legislative Council Jurisdiction covered only the Colony of Lagos and Southern Provinces while excluding Northern Nigeria; and the Distribution of Elected Legislative Seats allocated three seats to Lagos and one seat to Calabar.
Each feature correctly reflects historical provisions of the 1922 Clifford Constitution: the Executive Council remained all-British and advisory; the elective principle imposed a £100 annual income requirement; legislative jurisdiction excluded Northern Nigeria; and elected seats were partitioned into three for Lagos and one for Calabar.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the composition of the executive organ under the 1922 Clifford Constitution.
The Executive Council was completely non-elective and comprised strictly official British members.
Africans were not admitted into the Executive Council until much later amendments.
2
Determine the franchise qualification details for the introduction of the elective principle.
Voting was limited to males residing in Lagos or Calabar with an annual income of at least £100.
This property and income qualification disenfranchised women and lower-income Nigerians.
3
Examine the geographic limits of the legislative body.
The Legislative Council made laws for Lagos and the Southern Provinces, while the Governor ruled the North by proclamation.
The Clifford Constitution maintained a structural divide between Northern and Southern administration.
4
Verify the breakdown of elected African representation.
Four seats were elected: 3 for Lagos municipal area and 1 for Calabar.
Lagos and Calabar were the only urban centers granted franchise privileges due to their prominent coastal status and early political activity.

Key Concept

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 and Elective Principle
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