Question 8
(a) State any three aims of the Richards Constitution of Nigeria.
(b) Outline any four political changes introduced by the Constitution.
Observation
This was a popular question and well attempted by most of the candidates. The performance of the candidates who answered it was good as they really understood its demands. However, those who failed were giving skimpy answers in part (b). The candidates were expected to give the following points as answers to the question:
(a) (i) To promote the unity of the country.
(ii) To provide adequately for the diverse elements in the country.
(iii) To ensure greater participation of Nigerians in the discussion of their affairs.
(b)
(i) It brought an African unofficial majority into the Central Legislative Council.
(ii) It brought North and South together under one Legislature.
(iii) It created Regional Assemblies with limited powers to legislate.
(iv) It granted the North a Bicameral Legislature.
(v) The Regional Council were used as Electoral Colleges to the Central Legislature.
(vi) It linked the Native Authority to the Central Legislative Council through the Regional Assemblies.
(vii) It introduced regionalism in Nigeria by creating the North, East and West.
(viii) It laid the foundation for federalism in Nigeria.
(ix) It introduced Africans into the Executive Council for the first time