Explain the importance of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 in the political development of Nigeria.

Explanation

The importance of the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 in the Political development of Nigeria are:

(i) It introduced the federal system of government.

(ii) It introduced direct elections into the federal, eastern and western legislatures but indirect election by adult male suffrage in the north.

(iii) Nigerians became ministers with full ministerial responsibilities.

(iv) It established the offices of the Speaker and Deputy speaker in the Nigerian legislatures.

(v) Power of intervention by the centre was removed and regional legislatures could legislate on matters that affected them.

(vi) The constitution regionalised both the civil service and the judiciary.

(vii)It raised the status of the Governor to Governor-General and Lieutenant-Governors to Governors.

(viii)It created the office of the premiers in the regions.

(ix)The constitution separated Lagos and Southern Cameroons from the West and East respectively.