During colonial constitutional development in Nigeria, the Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle to allow legislative representation. Which of the following conditions defined the qualification for the franchise under this constitutional arrangement?
- AUniversal adult suffrage granting voting rights to all male and female citizens across Nigeria
- BEqual voting rights extended to all political sovereign citizens based strictly on residency in any regional capital
- Restricted male franchise based on residential status in Lagos or Calabar and a minimum annual income of £100Answer
- DMandatory requirement of acquiring Nigerian citizenship by naturalization alongside urban property ownership
Answer
The condition defining the franchise under the 1922 Clifford Constitution was a restricted male suffrage limited to residents of Lagos and Calabar earning a gross annual income of at least £100.
The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle for the first time in British West Africa, granting four elected seats in the Legislative Council (3 for Lagos, 1 for Calabar). However, franchise was restricted strictly to adult males who were British subjects or protected persons, had resided in those townships for at least 12 months, and earned a gross annual income of £100.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Restricted Franchise under the 1922 Clifford Constitution
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