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Question

Difficulty: HardThe Macpherson Constitution of 1951

To address the criticism of non-consultation associated with the Richards Constitution of 1946, Governor Sir John Macpherson initiated an extensive bottom-up constitutional review process. What is the correct chronological sequence of the consultative and drafting stages that culminated in the Macpherson Constitution of 1951?

  1. 1Grassroots consultations at village and district levels
  2. 2Deliberations at provincial conferences across the regions
  3. 3Regional constitutional conferences held in Kaduna, Ibadan, and Enugu
  4. 4The All-Nigeria General Conference convened at Ibadan
  5. 5Formal promulgation and implementation of the constitution

Answer

The correct chronological sequence begins with village and district consultations, moves to provincial conferences, advances to regional conferences, proceeds to the All-Nigeria General Conference in Ibadan, and ends with formal promulgation in 1951.
The consultative process for the Macpherson Constitution followed a structured bottom-up hierarchy: starting with grassroots village and district discussions, moving to provincial conferences, progressing to regional conferences in Kaduna, Ibadan, and Enugu, synthesizing national viewpoints at the Ibadan General Conference (1950), and concluding with official promulgation in 1951.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial grassroots phase
Consultations began at the village and district levels in 1949.
Sir John Macpherson sought broad public involvement to avoid the centralized approach of previous colonial administrations.
2
Trace the intermediate synthesis stages
Views gathered locally were debated sequentially at provincial conferences and then at regional conferences in Kaduna, Ibadan, and Enugu.
This multi-tiered approach allowed regional preferences regarding representation and executive authority to take form.
3
Pinpoint the national harmonization conference
The All-Nigeria General Conference met at Ibadan in January 1950.
Representatives from all three regions gathered to reconcile differences between regional drafts into a unified recommendation.
4
Identify the final legal enactment
The constitution was officially promulgated in 1951.
Following final review by the Drafting Committee and approval by the British Crown, the constitution took effect.

Key Concept

The bottom-up consultative process of the Macpherson Constitution (1949–1951)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951