Back to: History Primary 4
Hello, my brilliant learner! How are you today? Have you ever seen people lining up to vote during an election? Elections help people choose their leaders. But do you know when Nigeria had its first election? Today, we will learn about the first election in Nigeria and why it was important. Let’s get started!
The First Election in Nigeria
Imagine you and your friends want to pick a class captain. You all write names on pieces of paper and put them in a box. After counting the votes, the person with the highest number wins. That is how elections work! Nigeria’s first election happened many years ago, and it helped the country move towards independence. Let’s find out what happened!
What is an Election?
An election is a process where people vote to choose leaders. In Nigeria today, we vote for the President, Governors, Senators, and other leaders. But before Nigeria became independent, there were no elections—leaders were either chosen by the British government or traditional rulers.
The First Election in Nigeria (1923)
Nigeria’s first-ever election was held in 1923 under British colonial rule. This was because of the Clifford Constitution introduced in 1922 by Governor Hugh Clifford. This constitution allowed some Nigerians to vote for the first time, but only in Lagos and Calabar.
Who Could Vote?
Not everyone was allowed to vote in the 1923 election. Only Nigerians who:
- Lived in Lagos or Calabar
- Were men (women were not allowed to vote)
- Had an annual income of at least £100 (which was a lot of money at the time)
Because of these rules, very few Nigerians could vote. Most people in the country were not included in the election process.
Political Parties in the 1923 Election
Nigeria’s first election also led to the creation of the first political parties:
- Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) – Founded by Herbert Macaulay, this was Nigeria’s first political party. The NNDP won the election and dominated Lagos politics.
- Other small groups and independent candidates also participated, but the NNDP was the most powerful.
Importance of the 1923 Election
Even though only a few Nigerians could vote, this election was important because:
- It was the first step towards democracy in Nigeria.
- It allowed Nigerians to start choosing their own leaders.
- It encouraged the formation of political parties.
- It led to more changes, which later gave Nigerians full independence in 1960.
Think about when your school holds a prefect election. If only a few students are allowed to vote, would it be fair? That was how the 1923 election was—only a small number of people could vote. Over time, more people fought for fair elections, and today, every adult Nigerian can vote.
Conclusion
The first election in Nigeria was held in 1923 under the Clifford Constitution. Only men in Lagos and Calabar who earned a lot of money were allowed to vote. The election led to the formation of Nigeria’s first political party, the NNDP, led by Herbert Macaulay. Even though only a few Nigerians voted, it was the beginning of democracy in Nigeria.
Evaluation
- In what year was Nigeria’s first election held?
- What was the name of the constitution that introduced the election?
- Who was the leader of the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP)?
- Which two cities were allowed to vote in the 1923 election?
- Why was the 1923 election important?
Well done, my future leader! Now you know about Nigeria’s first election and how it helped shape our country. Elections are important because they give people the power to choose their leaders. Keep learning and believing in yourself—you are amazing! See you in the next lesson with Afrilearn!
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