Place the key constitutional milestones and political events in chronological order, from earliest to latest, that marked the transition from the quasi-federal structure of the 1951 Macpherson Constitution to the formal establishment of Nigerian federalism under the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution.
- 1Anthony Enahoro moves the self-government motion in the central House of Representatives, provoking a major constitutional crisis and exposing deep regional divides.
- 2The London Constitutional Conference meets to draft a new constitutional framework granting greater regional autonomy and defining federal power sharing.
- 3The Lagos Resumed Constitutional Conference settles key outstanding issues, including the federal territory status of Lagos and the regionalization of the judiciary.
- 4The Lyttelton Constitution officially comes into effect, formally inaugurating Nigeria as a federation with autonomous regions and regional premier roles.
Answer
The correct chronological sequence begins with Anthony Enahoro moving the self-government motion in March 1953, followed by the London Constitutional Conference in July–August 1953, then the Lagos Resumed Constitutional Conference in January–February 1954, and ends with the formal enactment of the Lyttelton Constitution in October 1954.
The historical progression to the 1954 Lyttelton Constitution began with the March 1953 self-government motion moved by Anthony Enahoro, which caused a cabinet crisis under the 1951 Macpherson Constitution. To resolve this, the London Constitutional Conference was held in July–August 1953 to draft the federal system. Detailed outstanding issues—such as the neutrality of Lagos and regional public services—were resolved at the Lagos Resumed Conference in January–February 1954. Finally, the Lyttelton Constitution was formally enacted on October 1, 1954.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Chronological evolution of Nigerian federalism through constitutional conferences from 1953 to 1954