Which of these colonial constitutions in Nigeria endured for the longest period?

Analyze the question: We need the colonial constitution that lasted the longest, so we compare how many years each one was in force.

Key facts (Nigerian constitutional history):

| Constitution | Year in force | Ended | Duration | |---|---|---|---| | Clifford | 1922 | 1946 | about 24 years | | Richards | 1946 | 1951 | about 5 years | | Macpherson | 1951 | 1954 | about 3 years | | Lyttleton | 1954 | 1960 (the federal system continued into independence) | about 6 years |

Step-by-step solution:

1. The Clifford Constitution came into force in 1922 under Governor Hugh Clifford.
2. It was replaced by the Richards Constitution in 1946, so it lasted about 24 years.
3. Richards (about 5 years), Macpherson (about 3 years), and Lyttleton (about 6 years) were all far shorter.
4. So the Clifford Constitution endured the longest.

Concept note: The Clifford Constitution introduced the elective principle in Nigeria, with four elected members: three from Lagos and one from Calabar. It applied to the Colony and Southern provinces only, while the North was left out. This is why it is also remembered as an important constitution.

Answer: B. Clifford

Exam tip: Remember the order as C-R-M-L (Clifford 1922, Richards 1946, Macpherson 1951, Lyttleton 1954). Then remember that "Clifford" is the odd one out with a gap of over two decades, while the others each changed within about 3 to 6 years. Also note that option A says "Richard" in the question, but it refers to the Richards Constitution, which is not the longest anyway.