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Difficulty: MediumThe Independence Constitution of 1960

Arrange the following key legislative and constitutional milestones leading to the establishment and implementation of Nigeria's 1960 Independence Constitution in chronological sequence from earliest to latest.

  1. 1Creation of the office of Federal Prime Minister following the recommendations of the London Constitutional Conference.
  2. 2Consideration of the Willink Commission Report on minority fears during the Resumed Constitutional Conference in London.
  3. 3Holding of nationwide pre-independence Federal Parliamentary elections to determine the leadership of the independent legislature.
  4. 4Passage of the Nigeria Independence Act by the British Imperial Parliament.
  5. 5Promulgation and formal coming into effect of the Nigeria (Constitution) Order in Council establishing the 1960 Independence Constitution.

Answer

The correct chronological order of historical events leading to the 1960 Independence Constitution is: Creation of the office of Federal Prime Minister (1957), Consideration of the Willink Commission Report (1958), Pre-independence Federal Parliamentary elections (December 1959), Passage of the Nigeria Independence Act (July 1960), and the formal coming into effect of the Independence Constitution (October 1, 1960).
The correct chronological sequence reflects the historical progression of constitutional developments: First, executive power was partially regionalized and centralized under a Prime Minister in 1957; second, minority safeguards were deliberated in late 1958; third, nationwide parliamentary elections took place in December 1959; fourth, the British Parliament enacted statutory legislation granting independence in July 1960; and finally, the Independence Constitution took legal effect on October 1, 1960.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the year for the creation of the office of Federal Prime Minister.
The office was created in August 1957 following the 1957 Constitutional Conference.
Establishing executive leadership was a key preliminary constitutional modification.
2
Determine the timing of the Willink Commission review at the Resumed Constitutional Conference.
This took place in October 1958 to address minority fears prior to independence.
Incorporating fundamental human rights into the planned constitution was agreed upon after this report.
3
Locate the pre-independence parliamentary elections date.
Federal parliamentary elections were conducted across Nigeria in December 1959.
Elections were essential to form the government that would receive power at independence.
4
Pinpoint British parliamentary legislation authorizing Nigerian sovereignty.
The British Parliament passed the Nigeria Independence Act in July 1960.
Statutory legal authority from the colonial power was required before the formal hand-over.
5
Identify the date when the 1960 Independence Constitution officially took effect.
The constitution took effect on Independence Day, October 1, 1960.
This represents the final culmination of constitutional development in the colonial era.

Key Concept

Constitutional Development and Timeline to the 1960 Independence Constitution
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Topics

The Independence Constitution of 1960