Why did the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 break down?
Explanation
The reason why the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 broke down:
(i) There was no provision for the posts of premier as head of government for the regions and a Prime-Minister as head of government for the country.
(ii) Macpherson Constitution made, as one of its provisions, ministers to be nominated by the regional legislatures. Ministers, therefore, became loyal to their regions at the expense of the central government.
(iii) Ministers were mere appendages, ministerial responsibilities were not part of the constitution
(iv) The Governor had a veto and reserved powers.
(v) Regional legislature had limited powers in law-making and this had to be approved before it could operate.
(vi) The anticipation for political independence as envisaged by the nationalists was not met by this constitution.
(vii) Political parties were region-based, for, example, NCNC for the East, AG for the west, and NPC for the North. None of them was a national party.
(viii) In 1953, Chief Anthony Enahoro moved a motion in the House of Representatives for self-government for Nigeria to be obtained in 1956. This motion was one of the reasons for the breakdown of the Macpherson Constitution.
(ix) The 1953 Kano Riot was another reason for the breakdown.
(x) There was no provision for the three leaders of the parties – NCNC, NPC, and A.G. to be part of the central decision-making body. This contributed to the breakdown.
(xi) The crisis of 1953 in the Eastern Region was also part of the breakdown.
(xii) Macpherson’s Constitution was not able to contain the inter-ethnic rivalry that existed then.