One of the major defects of the 1954 Constitution was the fact that the members of the Federal Executive the Council of Ministers, although they were drawn from the elected “Members of the House of Representatives by the Governor General their appointments were based on the three major political parties, each controlling one of the Regional Legislatures. The fact that their appointment was party-based coupled with the fact that none of the political leaders was at the Central House but rather they were heads of their Regional Governments made the Federal Ministers look not only for leadership and consultations but also for guidance and instructions from their political leaders. This rendered the Central Executive ineffective because the loyalty of the ministers resided in their regions as it was under the Macpherson Constitution.
Another major defect of the Constitution was its failure to provide for the second Chamber at the Centre. The only chamber in existence seemed to be dictatorial in effect as there was no other chamber to give direction and constructive criticisms to its policies.
The failure of the Constitution to provide for a Uniform electoral system throughout the country created room for the party in power in the regions to make electoral arrangements to the disadvantages of their opponents.
Though the Lyttleton Constitution allowed the Africans bigger participation in governmental activities, nevertheless, the immense powers of the Governor to veto legislations, to kill legislations with his reserved power and to influence to a large extent, formulation of various policies were not different from those powers he wielded under Macpherson Constitution.
Absence of a Prime Minister: Inspite of the fact that constitution established the post of Regional Premiers, it made no provision for a Prime Minister at the Centre. The council of ministers presided over by the Governor remained the principal instrument of policy.
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