WAEC Government 2010 Theory — Question 13

Model answer

The changes introduced into the politics of the Nigerian political system by the 1954 Constitution are as follows: (i) The 1954 constitution provided for a division of powers between the central government and the government of the regions in line with the principles of federalism. Legislative powers were divided into exclusive, concurrent and residual list. The constitution established true federalism in Nigeria. (ii) The Lyttleton constitution of 1954 made provision for the regionalisation of the civil service. Each of the regions had its civil service which was different from the civil service of the central government. (iii) The constitution provided for the post of Premiers in three regions. The premiers who were Nigerians were the Head of government in the regions. (iv) The Lyttleton constitution of 1954 removed Lagos as part of the Western region and made it the Federal Capital Territory. Also, Southern Cameroon was removed from the Eastern region and made a semi-autonomous region. (v) Nigerians were appointed as ministers with full ministerial responsibilities under the Lyttleton constitution of 1954. (vi) One of the features of a true federal state is the existence of component units in the federation. The 1954 constitution created three regions with a central government that was not domineering. The relationship between the regions and the central government was one of cooperation and not a master-servant relationship.