The features merit and demerit of Richards constitution of 1946

The criticisms that surrendered the Clifford constitution of 1922 led to the introduction of the Richards constitution of 1946.The major aims of the constitution were:

1. To promote national unity 
2. To promote diversity within-in order words to cater for the social and political difference within the unity in the country. 
3. To allow for greater participation for Africans in the discussion of their own affairs. 

read; The different between Constitutionalism and Constitution

Features of Richards’s constitution of 194 

The establishment of legislative council for the whole Nigeria. The south and the north were united under one legislative council like the Clifford constitution.
Introduces regionalism and house of assemblies in the north, easthern west in addition, he made provision for a house of chief in the north.
The constitution sought for great political socialization and participation by increasing the number of officials and unofficial members.
The preservation and incorporation of native administrative (especially in the north) in Nigeria constitution development.

read; The Merit and demerit of various types of constitutions in nigeria

Merit of Richards’s constitution of 1946

The introduction of regionalism as the major step towards the evolution of Nigeria federal system (i.e. federalism)
This constitution leads to the establishment of central legislative authority in the country to some extend and unties the country.
This constitution moved towards creating national consensuses for Nigeria self rule.
The constitution made provision to cater for the interest of the diverse element in the country
The constitution made use of native authorities as electoral unit to higher council. This ideal help to solve the problem of getting the educated elite in the country into the national administrative system

read; The background features merit and demerit of lyttteton constitution of 1954

Demerit of Richards’s constitution of 1946

The constitution was criticized for the lack of adequate consultation of the people as the earlier promised, therefore it was imposed
The official and unofficial representative proved to be ineffective, they served as mere formalities. They have no legislative power no legislative power.
The constitution introduced regional institution regional institutionalized ethnic rivalry. This was because each of the regions corresponds to each major ethnic group in the country. In the north you have the Hausa ethnic group. West you have Yoruba ethnics group and the east they have Igbo ethnic group. This lead, the foundation of ethnic and tribal contradiction in politics. This confrontation among different ethnic groups becomes more evident in 1950s .

read; The history and development of the Nigerian constitution council of 1914: The Clifford constitution of 1922

Richards constitution was accused of being partially against the southern region because he deliberately created house of chief in the north and non in the south. This was deliberate colonial state craft to bring in the northern region into the main stream of Nigeria politics. This made a strong criticism for most educated and political sourthern region .the NCNC confronted the process but unfortunately the british colonial master nullified the protest which meant that the north remains in the main stram of Nigeria politics

No effort was made towards representative government
The membership of the executive council still excluded after like the Clifford constitution
The regional council were mere advisory and consultative bodies without power to appropriate revenue 

The government were given research or veto power, this means that they can veto proposal put forward by the legislative council
The constitution was also criticized of being responded for colonial imposition of the political will on Nigeria. In order words, the constitution retain dominant colonial interest.