MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION OF 1951 HAS THE FOLLOWING ADVANTAGES OR MERITS WHEN COMPARED WITH THE PREVIOUS CONSTITUTION BEFORE IT


1.      Introduction of the  first legislative  principles
2.      It had  a national outlook it was the first constitution that governed the whole  country
3.      It provided  for  the office of ministers in Nigeria
4.      The constitution  reflect the  minds and aspiration of  the  masses because of  the  wide rage of consultation before it introduction 
5.      It introduced  quasi federalism for  Nigeria
6.      It  introduced for the first time a revenue allocation formula in  Nigeria  based on the
  principles of derivation, needs and national interest

More so, when compared with improved constitutions which  came up  after the  Macpherson’s one may likely conclude that some of the flaws or demerits of the constitution are:

1.       It did not provide for a true political leadership either   at the centre or in the regions eg there was no provision for the posts of the prime minster or premier, consequently the government of the federation had no effective leadership.
2.      It failed to provide for a responsible government at the centre
3.       It contain both  the elements of unitary and  federal forms of government
4.       There was lack of adequate representation with the introduction of  the  electoral collage
5.      It did not provide for coalition or team spirit in the council of ministers.

Consequently, the above aforementioned disadvantages   attached to Macpherson constitution   of  1951  and quest for a more federalist  and  representative responsible  government   made it imperative for new constitution  to the   drafted , this  give  arise to the  birth or introduction of  Littleton  constitution of  1954. 



REFERENCES

Aluu, Okpani, (Unpublished )  Teaching  Notes on Government,
Federal  Government College Okposi  2010

Igwenyi, Ben, O.  Modern  Constitutional law in  Nigeria, Nwamazi, 
Abakaliki  2006 

Nwankwo, B.C  authority in Government , Almond Press, Makuridi 
1990.
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