Disadvantages of MacPherson Constitution of 1951

MacPherson Constitution, when compared with improved constitutions which  came up  after the it, one may likely conclude that some of the flaws or demerits of the constitution are:

1. The constitution did not provide for a true political leadership either at the Centre or in the region, for example, there was no provision for the post of the prime minister or premier. Consequently, the government of the federal had not effective leadership.
2. It did not provide for coalition or team spirit in the council of ministers.
3. The constitution failed to give Nigeria a full responsible government rather it gave Nigeria a full responsible government rather it gave Nigeria a semi or quasi- responsible government
4. The constitution did not provide for cohesion or team spirit in the council for Nigeria and Cameron (NCNC) in the eastern region was responsible for the collapse .
5.  It contained both  the elements of unitary and  federal forms of government.
6. The Constitution made no provision for the appointment of a Prime Minister in the centre and on account of this the cabinet did not perform as a team. Each of the ministers received instructions from their respective regions.
7. The Constitution was undemocratic in the sense that it was the Governor that provided questions to those answers formed by the Constitution. The Constitution made no provision for the establishment of a Second Chamber in the centre and it did not provide for the House of Chiefs in the Eastern Region.
   Read Also: Advantages of the MacPherson Constitution of 1951

THE BREAKDOWN OF MACPHERSON CONSTITUTION

MacPherson Constitution broke down due to the following reasons:

1. There was no country-wide political party commanding a majority of all the three regions. Three different political parties were in power in each region.
2. The three most important political leaders in the country were not in the central legislative council i.e. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, leader of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroons, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, and Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto.
3. There was no provision under the Constitution either at the centre or in the regions for the appointment of a Prime Minister of Premier.
4. There was inter-regional friction.
   Read Also: Features of the MacPherson Constitution of 1951