JAMB Government 1999 past questions and answers

In a federal state, power is shared

1. A.between the central government and the local authorities
2. B.among the states of the federation
3. C.among the major regions of the country
4. D.between the central government and other co-ordinate units

The principle of collective responsibility implies that

1. A.individual views cannot be expressed
2. B.decisions taken are defended in spite of individual opinions
3. C.those who hold different views must acquiesce
4. D.government cannot be personalized

A government controlled by a few people for their own interests is said to be

1. A.an autocracy
2. B.a tyranny
3. C.an oligarchy
4. D.a meritocracy

One of the distinctive features of democracy is that it

1. A.connotes civil rule
2. B.facilitates popular participation
3. C.provides for a unicameral legislature
4. D.is not associated with one-party system

A hereditary system of government is

1. A.an oligarchy
2. B.a gerontocracy
3. C.an aristocracy
4. D.a monarchy

The separation of judicial, legislative and executive functions is designed to

1. A.promote freedom
2. B.prevent tyranny
3. C.promote peace
4. D.prevent anarchy

Bicameral legislature are a common feature of

1. A.monarchical systems
2. B.confederal systems
3. C.federal systems
4. D.unitary systems

In a federal constitution, legislative powers that are shared by two levels of government are referred to as

1. A.exclusive
2. B.extra-ordinary
3. C.residual
4. D.concurrent

The most important function of the executive organ of government is to

1. A.formulate policies
2. B.give assent to bills
3. C.control foreign policy
4. D.enforce laws

The process of learning the norms and values associated with a political system is referred to as political

1. A.socialization
2. B.indoctrination
3. C.culture
4. D.participation

Which of the following best describes the role of the civil service?

1. A.Promoting the interest of civil servants
2. B.Advising government and implementing its policies
3. C.Keeping records for government
4. D.Providing information on government and its agencies

One instrument for safeguarding the rights of citizens is

1. A.judicial interpretation
2. B.presidential pardon
3. C.legislative intervention
4. D.writ of habeas corpus

Legislative control over delegated legislation can be performed through

1. A.withdrawal of delegated powers by the judiciary
2. B.nullification of unconstitutional legislation
3. C.investigation into the exercise of delegated power
4. D.approval of legislation by the Chief Justice

The feature which best differentiates pressure groups from political parties is that they do not

1. A.have interest in politics
2. B.seek to influence public opinion
3. C.have permanent organization
4. D.nominate ministers

The notion of equality before the law is the same as the principle of

1. A.supremacy of the constitution
2. B.rule of law
3. C.independence of the judiciary
4. D.social equality

A constitution is classified as unwritten when it

1. A.does not emanate from the legislature
2. B.provides for separation of powers
3. C.originates from Britain
4. D.is not contained in any single document

A state is said to be fascist when

1. A.its leader is patriotic but the citizens are not
2. B.all rights and liberties are subordinated to state interest
3. C.its citizens are fanatically in love with their leader
4. D.all rights and liberties are placed above state interests

A dominant two-party system is operated in

1. A.the United Kingdom and the United States
2. B.India and Pakistan
3. C.France and Germany
4. D.South Africa and Senegal

Indirect legislation can be achieved by

1. A.judicial interpretation and precedent
2. B.passing of bills and making of decrees
3. C.passing a private member's bill
4. D.the two legislative chambers considering a bill

Naturalization is a process of acquiring citizenship by

1. A.persons of dual nationality
2. B.foreign visitors to a country
3. C.resident foreigners of good character
4. D.persons born abroad

The ideology which states that each person is the best judge of what is in his self-interest is

1. A.liberalism
2. B.socialism
3. C.fascism
4. D.feudalism

The Code of Conduct Bureau was established essentially to

1. A.ensure the independence of the public service
2. B.enhance probity and accountability in public service
3. C.protect the rights of public servants
4. D.reduce corruption in public life

The first Head of Government in independent Nigeria was

1. A.Nnamdi Azikiwe
2. B.Ahmadu Bello
3. C.Tafawa Balewa
4. D.Herbert Macaulay

A feature common to the 1963, 1979 and 1989 constitutions of Nigeria was that they provided for

1. A.a republican system
2. B.prime minister
3. C.ceremonial head of state
4. D.president as head of government

The Lagos Colony and Protectorate was amalgamated with The Protectorate of Southern Nigeria in

1. A.1886
2. B.1893
3. C.1906
4. D.1922

During the 1957 constitutional conference, the Willink Commission was set up to

1. A.recommend a date for independence
2. B.suggest an equitable revenue allocation formula
3. C.create new regions in Nigeria
4. D.recommend solutions to the problem of the minorities

The duty of an Alkali under the Hausa-Fulani political system is to

1. A.adjudicate under Islamic laws
2. B.make Islamic laws
3. C.execute Islamic laws
4. D.make treaties under Islamic laws

The motion for self-government in Nigeria was proposed by Chief Anthony Enahoro in

1. A.1950
2. B.1953
3. C.1956
4. D.1958

The legislative functions of the government of Benin Kingdom were performed by the Oba and a council of chiefs known as the

1. A.Esama
2. B.Ndichie
3. C.Uzama
4. D.Enigie

The highest ruling body under the Murtala/Obasanjo regime differed remarkably from that of the Gowon administration because of the

1. A.inclusion of civilians as members
2. B.exclusion of military governors from the council
3. C.inclusion of the Chief Justice as a member
4. D.exclusion of the Inspector General of Police from the council

Decree No. 34 of May 1966 is also known as the

1. A.State Security Decree
2. B.Suspension and Modification Decree
3. C.Public Order Decree
4. D.Unification Decree

In 1979, the Unity Party of Nigeria contested and won gubernatorial elections in

1. A.Lagos, Ogun, Imo, Oyo and Bendel
2. B.Lagos, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Benue
3. C.Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Bendel
4. D.Lagos, Kwara, Ogun, Oyo and Ondo

Rates are usually collected in Nigeria by

1. A.ministries of commerce in the states
2. B.local government councils
3. C.the department of inland revenue
4. D.the traditional rulers

One of the main reasons for the creation of more local governments in Nigeria is to

1. A.make them more responsive to people's needs
2. B.weaken the powers of traditional authorities
3. C.make them more receptive to traditional rulers
4. D.establish them as the third tier in the federal structure

Based on its objectives, the Organization of African Unity can primarily be classified as

1. A.a social organization
2. B.a political organization
3. C.a cultural organization
4. D.an economic organization

Nigeria's role in ECOMOG is essentially informed by her

1. A.desire for peace and stability
2. B.chairmanship of ECOWAS
3. C.desire to establish democracy
4. D.membership of ECOWAS

The annual budget of the OAU is approved by the

1. A.Council of Ministers
2. B.Secretary General
3. C.Assembly of Heads of State and Government
4. D.General Assembly

the major strategy used by OPEC to influence oil price is by

1. A.allocating production quotas to members
2. B.influencing buyers at the international market to buy at high prices
3. C.allowing member countries to produce at their discretion
4. D.increasing the supply of the commodity

Nigeria was suspended from the Commonwealth because of her

1. A.tacit approval of military dictatorship
2. B.negative position towards other nations
3. C.complete negligence of freedom of the press
4. D.violation of fundamental human rights

Nigeria's non-aligned policy means that she will

1. A.have nothing to do with the super-powers
2. B.not take sides in international issues based on ideological considerations
3. C.avoid having any dealing with any country with ideological leanings
4. D.relate only with member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement

One of the underlying principles of Nigerian foreign policy is

1. A.encouragement of peace-keeping operations in Africa
2. B.interference in the internal activities of other countries
3. C.non-commitment towards African unity
4. D.respect for sovereign equality of all states

Before a new member is admitted to the United Nations Organization, its application must be approved by all

1. A.permanent members of the Security Council
2. B.members of the General Assembly
3. C.members of the Economic and Social Council
4. D.members of the International Court of Justice

The organ of the United Nations Organization responsible for the former colonies of defeated World War II powers is the

1. A.General Assembly
2. B.Security Council
3. C.Economic and Social Council
4. D.Trusteeship Council