Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyThe Richards Constitution of 1946 and Regionalism

Match each constitutional mechanism or objective of the 1946 Richards Constitution on the left with its corresponding administrative outcome or provision on the right.

  • Integration of Native AuthoritiesLinked traditional administration directly to the Central Legislative Council through indirect elections
  • Northern Region InclusionBrought Northern delegates into a single unified Nigerian legislature in Lagos for the first time since 1923
  • Advisory Regional AssembliesEstablished deliberative bodies in Ibadan, Enugu, and Kaduna that lacked independent legislative powers
  • Centralized Budgetary ControlRetained final revenue allocation and financial authority exclusively with the central government

Answer

Integration of Native Authorities matches with linking traditional administration directly to the Central Legislative Council; Northern Region Inclusion matches with bringing Northern delegates into a unified Nigerian legislature for the first time since 1923; Advisory Regional Assemblies matches with establishing deliberative bodies in Ibadan, Enugu, and Kaduna that lacked independent legislative powers; Centralized Budgetary Control matches with retaining final revenue allocation authority exclusively with the central government.
Each feature of the Richards Constitution of 1946 directly corresponds to its historical implementation: Native Authorities acted as electoral channels, Northern representation ended legislative division between North and South, Regional Assemblies were advisory bodies without law-making autonomy, and financial control remained centralized under a unitary structure.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary mechanism for involving traditional rulers under the 1946 constitution.
Native Authorities served as the foundation for indirect representation in the legislative councils.
Sir Arthur Richards sought to create a link between native administration and the central legislature.
2
Examine the political unification aspect of the Richards Constitution.
It brought Northern representatives into the central Legislative Council in Lagos, ending their legislative isolation.
Between 1923 and 1946, the Clifford Constitution applied only to the Southern provinces for legislation.
3
Analyze the nature and powers of the newly formed Regional Houses of Assembly.
Regional assemblies created in the North, West, and East were consultative and deliberative rather than fully legislative.
Full legislative authority remained vested in the Central Legislative Council.
4
Evaluate the financial structure under the constitution.
Regional assemblies only discussed regional estimates, while final financial control remained centralized.
True financial autonomy was only introduced later under the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution.

Key Concept

Structural and Administrative Provisions of the Richards Constitution of 1946
Estimated Time:1m 0s
Rate this question

Topics

The Richards Constitution of 1946 and Regionalism

More questions from this topic