41 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.
Nation-state is synonymous with
Answer: D (sovereignty.)
A nation-state is an independent state whose people form one nation; its defining mark is sovereignty.
A fundamental component of political culture is
Answer: B (social values)
Political culture is made up of the shared values, beliefs and attitudes of a society, so social values are a basic part of it.
A form of oligarchy in which gifted people are at the helm of affairs is
Answer: B (aristocracy)
Aristocracy means rule by the "best", a small group thought to be specially gifted or noble.
A state that is ruled by an elected citizen is
Answer: C (a republic)
In a republic the head of state is an ordinary citizen chosen by election, not a hereditary monarch.
A true democracy in the modern sense exists where the
Answer: B (elected representatives rule)
Modern states are too large for everyone to rule directly, so democracy today means representative democracy: rule by elected representatives.
In a parliamentary system, when the legislature passes a vote of no confidence on the executive, it means that the
Answer: C (executive is required to resign)
A government that loses a vote of no confidence must resign (or ask for parliament to be dissolved for new elections).
The legislative body of the United States of America is the
Answer: C (Congress)
The US legislature is Congress, made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
The Upper House in most federal systems is created to
Answer: B (ensure equality of federating units)
In the upper house each state usually has the same number of seats (as in Nigeria's Senate), giving the federating units equal representation.
In which of the following systems is the power of the component units more than that of the central government?
Answer: A (Confederal)
In a confederation the member states keep their sovereignty and the central body is weak.
In a cabinet system of government, executive power is exercised by the
Answer: B (head of government)
In a cabinet system, the head of government (prime minister) and his cabinet hold real executive power; the head of state is ceremonial.
The principle of separation of powers is best practised in the
Answer: B (presidential system)
The presidential system keeps the executive separate from the legislature, unlike the parliamentary system, where they are fused.
A typical form of delegated legislation is
Answer: A (a bye-law)
Bye-laws are made by local councils and other bodies under powers delegated by the legislature.
The rights of a citizen can be withdrawn by the state if the person
Answer: C (is convicted of a serious crime)
A person convicted of a serious crime can lose rights such as liberty or voting under the law.
An electoral process in which candidates are selected for elective offices by party members is
Answer: B (primary election)
Party members choose their candidates in a primary election before the general election.
In theory, one major advantage of the one-party system is that it
Answer: D (serves as an instrument of national integration.)
Supporters of one-party systems argue that a single party unites people of all ethnic groups and regions, helping national unity.
A tactic employed by pressure groups to achieve their objectives is
Answer: A (lobbying)
Lobbying means meeting and persuading lawmakers and officials to support a group's interests.
Public opinion can be measured through
Answer: D (referendum.)
A referendum asks the whole electorate to vote on an issue, which directly measures what the public thinks.
Which of the following is the main function of the civil service?
Answer: B (Implementing government policies)
The civil service carries out the policies of the government in power and must stay politically neutral.
Who was the political head of the Old Oyo Empire?
Answer: A (Alaafin)
The Alaafin was the king and political head of Oyo. The Bashorun led the Oyomesi and the Aremo was the crown prince.
France introduced the policy of assimilation in her colonies primarily to
Answer: C (change their way of life)
Assimilation aimed to turn Africans into "Frenchmen" by changing their culture, language and way of life.
The foremost British trading company on the West African coast was
Answer: B (Royal Niger Company)
Goldie's Royal Niger Company dominated trade on the Niger and even governed parts of Nigeria until 1900.
Which of these rulers resisted colonial rule and was deported to Calabar?
Answer: C (Oba Ovoramwen)
After the British conquest of Benin in 1897, Oba Ovonramwen was exiled to Calabar. Jaja of Opobo was exiled to the West Indies.
Nigerian nationalism was described as two-phased by
Answer: C (James S. Coleman)
James Coleman's classic study divided Nigerian nationalism into an early phase of protest and reform and a later phase of organised demands for self-government.
One major weakness of the Independence Constitution is that it
Answer: B (failed to provide the country with full sovereignty)
Under the 1960 Constitution the British Queen was still head of state and the Privy Council in London was the final court of appeal, so sovereignty was not complete.
The designation of ministers as chief executives and accounting officers was recommended by a commission headed by
Answer: A (Dotun Philips)
The Dotun Phillips panel led to the 1988 civil service reforms, which made ministers the chief executives and accounting officers of their ministries.
A major shortcoming of the Ombudsman is
Answer: A (lack of executive power to enforce decisions)
The ombudsman (Public Complaints Commission) can investigate and recommend but cannot enforce its decisions.
One of the strong points of the multi-party system in Nigeria's Fourth Republic is
Answer: D (wider political participation.)
Having many parties gives more people and groups the chance to take part in politics and gives voters wider choice.
In which of the following is the ceremonial and executive powers fused?
Answer: B (Presidential system of government)
In the presidential system the president is both ceremonial head of state and executive head of government.
A major contentious issue confronting Nigerian federalism is
Answer: A (revenue allocation)
How to share national revenue among the federal, state and local governments has been argued over since the colonial era.
The main purpose of establishing public enterprises in Nigeria is to
Answer: D (provide essential services.)
Public enterprises were set up mainly to provide essential services such as electricity, water and transport at affordable prices.
Parastatals are established to
Answer: A (render social services)
Parastatals are government agencies set up to provide services to the public, not mainly to make profit.
The highest organ of the state during the Babangida Regime was the
Answer: C (Armed Forces Ruling Council)
Babangida (1985-93) ruled through the Armed Forces Ruling Council. The PRC was Abacha's, and the SMC was used by Gowon, Murtala/Obasanjo and Buhari.
Decree 34 of 1966 was unacceptable to many Nigerians because it was
Answer: D (perceived to abolish the federal system)
Ironsi's Unification Decree No. 34 abolished the regions and made Nigeria unitary, which Northerners feared would let the South dominate.
Nigeria spearheaded the formation of ECOWAS during the regime of
Answer: D (Yakubu Gowon.)
ECOWAS was formed in May 1975 under General Gowon, who worked with Togo's Eyadema to bring it about.
Nigeria was classified as a frontline state for
Answer: D (supporting the liberation efforts in Southern Africa.)
Nigeria's strong support for liberation struggles and the fight against apartheid in Southern Africa earned it frontline-state status.
The prominent role Nigeria played in the UN in the 70's earned her
Answer: B (non-permanent membership position)
Nigeria's active role at the UN in the 1970s led to its election as a non-permanent member of the Security Council for 1978-79.
The head of Nigeria's foreign mission in a Commonwealth nation is known as
Answer: B (high Commissioner)
Commonwealth countries exchange High Commissioners rather than ambassadors.
One major function of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS is
Answer: D (appointing the Executive Secretary.)
The Authority appointed the Executive Secretary (now the President of the ECOWAS Commission).
The tenure of non-permanent members of the Security Council is
Answer: D (2 years.)
The ten non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is appointed by the
Answer: D (General Assembly on the recommendation of the Security Council.)
The Security Council recommends a candidate and the General Assembly appoints him or her.
The approval of treaties and agreements of the Economic Community of West African States is the responsibility of the
Answer: A (Assembly of Heads of State and Government)
The Authority (Assembly) of Heads of State and Government is the supreme ECOWAS body and approves its treaties and protocols.