The ways political parties contributed to the constitutional Development of Nigeria.
(i) Political parties provided the leadership for constitutional development. Their members spearheaded agitation for constitutional reforms. For example, the 1946 Richard Constitution in Nigeria was criticized for lack of consultation.
(ii) The political parties initiated popular opposition against colonial government, for example, the Richards Constitution of 1951
(iii) They provided political education through rallies and newspapers owned by their leaders and these enlightened the masses on the deficiencies of colonial constitutions, e.g.. West African Pilot, Comet, Lagos Weekly Record, Nigeria Tribune, e.t.c.
(iv) Provision of leaders: The political parties provided leaders who attended constitutional conferences for the attainment of political independence, e.g. the ibadan,Conference of 1951 and the London Conferences of 1953 and 1957.
(v) Formation of government: They formed governments in their various regions under the 1951 constitution. This formed the basis for self-government in 1957 and 1959 and the eventual independence in 1960.