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Difficulty: MediumFirst Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)

Following the disputed December 1964 federal elections in Nigeria's First Republic, a constitutional deadlock arose when President Nnamdi Azikiwe initially hesitated to invite Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa to form a new government. Which core feature of the 1963 Republican Constitution governed the constitutional relationship between the President and the Prime Minister during this crisis?

  1. The President was a ceremonial Head of State, while executive power was exercised by the Prime Minister who commanded a parliamentary majority.Answer
  2. B
    The President functioned as the executive Head of Government with constitutional powers to select cabinet ministers independently of parliament.
  3. C
    Federal executive powers were constitutionally shared between the federal President and the regional premier councils.
  4. D
    The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council retained supreme authority to appoint the Prime Minister in contested national elections.

Answer

The President was a ceremonial Head of State, while executive power was exercised by the Prime Minister who commanded a parliamentary majority.
In the 1963 Republican Constitution of Nigeria's First Republic, executive power was organized around a parliamentary structure. The President functioned as a ceremonial Head of State, whereas the Prime Minister served as the executive Head of Government. Even though President Azikiwe expressed strong reservations over the conduct of the 1964 elections, constitutional convention dictated that he had to invite Abubakar Tafawa Balewa—whose coalition (NNA) commanded a parliamentary majority—to form the government, leading to the eventual compromise settlement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the constitutional framework operating in Nigeria during the 1964 election crisis.
Nigeria operated under the 1963 Republican Constitution, which retained a Westminster-style parliamentary system.
The 1963 Constitution replaced the British monarch with a Nigerian President, but maintained the parliamentary distinction between Head of State and Head of Government.
2
Analyze the division of executive powers between the President and the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister held effective executive power as Head of Government, while the President served as ceremonial Head of State.
By constitutional convention, the President was required to appoint as Prime Minister the leader who could command a majority in the House of Representatives.

Key Concept

Parliamentary Executive Division in Nigeria's First Republic
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

First Republic Politics and Major Crises (1960–1966)