The Macpherson constitution and its breakdown witnessed all these EXCEPT the

Analyze the question: The Macpherson Constitution (1951–1954) was Nigeria's constitution under Governor John Macpherson. We need the event that was NOT part of its operation or breakdown.

Key facts about the Macpherson Constitution:

• It introduced a quasi-federal structure, with regional legislatures and a central Council of Ministers.
• It broke down because of the 1953 motion for self-government in 1956 (moved by Anthony Enahoro of the Action Group, March 1953). The Northern delegates opposed it, wanting "as soon as practicable" instead of 1956.
• Kano riots (May 1953): Followed the Northern reaction to the motion and the Action Group's tour to Kano.
• Eastern regional crisis (1953): The NCNC's crisis in the East. Dr. Azikiwe's party was ousted from the Western House when the Action Group won the "carpet-crossing" battle, and in the East, Eyo Ita's government was dissolved following NCNC internal wrangling.
• Northern People's Congress' Eight-Point Programme: The NPC proposed an eight-point programme in 1953 asking for a confederal arrangement (central matters limited to defence, external affairs, customs, and the like). This was a direct reaction to the motion for self-government and the breakdown of the Macpherson constitution.
• Action Group crisis: The Action Group crisis was the 1962 split between Chief Awolowo and Chief Akintola in the Western Region. This took place long after the Macpherson Constitution had been replaced by the Lyttelton Constitution (1954). It was therefore not part of the Macpherson era.

Eliminating the options:

• A. Action Group crisis (1962): not part of the Macpherson era. This is the exception.
• B. Eastern regional crisis (1953): part of it.
• C. Kano riots of 1953: part of it.
• D. Motion for self-government (1953): part of it.
• E. NPC's eight-point programme (1953): part of it.

**Answer: A.

Tip: Anchor the Macpherson era to 1951–1954 and the year 1953 events: the self-government motion, the Kano riots, the Eastern crisis, and the NPC's eight points. Anything from 1962 (the Action Group crisis, the Akintola/Awolowo feud) belongs to the First Republic, so it is the odd one out.