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Question

Difficulty: HardEvolution of Nigerian Federalism and State Creation

Following widespread agitations by ethnic minority groups prior to Nigeria's independence, the 1957 Willink Commission was appointed to investigate their fears of domination by majority groups. What was the primary recommendation of the commission regarding the creation of new states?

  1. A
    It recommended the immediate creation of three new minority states to balance regional power before granting independence.
  2. It recommended against creating new states before independence, advising instead that fundamental human rights be entrenched in the constitution.Answer
  3. C
    It recommended replacing the federal structure with a centralized unitary system to suppress regional ethnic rivalries.
  4. D
    It recommended dividing the country into twelve states under a military decree to reduce regional friction.

Answer

The Willink Commission recommended against creating new states prior to independence, proposing instead the inclusion of fundamental human rights in the constitution and the establishment of special development councils.
The 1957 Willink Commission of Inquiry concluded that creating new states was not a practical remedy for minority anxieties because it would lead to new minority problems and postpone independence beyond 1960. Instead, the commission recommended incorporating fundamental human rights provisions into the Nigerian Constitution and creating special administrative bodies, such as the Niger Delta Development Board, to cater to neglected areas.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the historical context of the 1957 Willink Commission
Identify that the commission was set up by the British colonial administration to address minority fears of majority ethnic domination in the Northern, Eastern, and Western regions.
Understanding the mandate of the Willink Commission is essential to evaluating its statutory recommendations.
2
Evaluate the commission's findings on state creation versus constitutional safeguards
Recognize that the commission argued creating new states would create new minority groups within those states and delay the target independence year of 1960.
The commission prioritized timely independence over structural territorial reorganization.
3
Identify the alternative measures recommended by the commission
Determine that it recommended embedding a Bill of Rights (Fundamental Human Rights) into the independence constitution and establishing special development bodies like the Niger Delta Development Board.
These constitutional safeguards were deemed sufficient by the commission to protect minority interests without creating new states.

Key Concept

The 1957 Willink Commission and Minority Rights in Nigerian Federalism
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Topics

Evolution of Nigerian Federalism and State Creation