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Difficulty: HardThe Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 and Nigerian Federalism

Arrange the following political and constitutional events that directly led to the enactment of the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution and the formal establishment of Nigerian federalism in correct chronological order, from earliest to latest:

  1. 1Tabling of the 1956 self-government motion in the House of Representatives, exposing severe regional rifts and crippling the 1951 quasi-federal structure.
  2. 2Convening of the London Constitutional Conference to agree on a decentralized federal framework for Nigeria.
  3. 3Resumption of constitutional negotiations at the Lagos Conference to finalize fiscal allocation and the status of Lagos as a federal capital territory.
  4. 4Promulgation of the Lyttelton Constitution, formally creating a federal structure with autonomous regions and separate legislative lists.

Answer

The correct chronological sequence is: (1) Tabling of the 1956 self-government motion, (2) Convening of the London Constitutional Conference, (3) Resumption of constitutional negotiations at the Lagos Conference, and (4) Promulgation of the Lyttelton Constitution.
The accurate timeline begins with the crisis sparked by the self-government motion in March 1953, followed by the main London Constitutional Conference in July–August 1953 which agreed on federalism. The Lagos Conference in January 1954 settled unresolved matters such as revenue allocation and the status of Lagos, leading directly to the official promulgation of the Lyttelton Constitution in October 1954.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the catalyst event that disrupted the previous constitutional order
The March 1953 self-government motion by Chief Anthony Enahoro led to political deadlock and the breakdown of the 1951 Macpherson Constitution.
Constitutional reform required an initial political crisis necessitating change.
2
Determine the primary constitutional conference that adopted federalism
The London Conference of July-August 1953 reached a consensus among Nigerian political leaders to adopt a federal structure.
The decision to restructure Nigeria into a federation was formally made at this conference.
3
Locate the follow-up conference resolving specific administrative and fiscal issues
The Lagos Constitutional Conference of January 1954 resolved key implementation matters like revenue allocation and judicial regionalization.
Detailed policy implementation mechanisms had to be finalized before enacting the new constitution.
4
Identify the final legal enactment
The Lyttelton Constitution came into effect in October 1954.
Promulgation was the final formal action bringing the federal structure into law.

Key Concept

Chronological evolution of the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution and Nigerian federalism
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The Lyttelton Constitution of 1954 and Nigerian Federalism