WAEC Government 1999 past questions and answers

Political power is the ability to decide who gets what (allocating resources) and to see that decisions are carried out.

A constitution limits government and protects citizens' rights and freedoms.

In a democracy ultimate political power belongs to the people, who exercise it as the electorate.

In Marxist theory socialism is a transition stage that leads to communism, the final stage.

Under feudalism land-owning lords, who inherited their positions, ruled the peasants (serfs) on their land.

Aristocracy is rule by a privileged noble class; plutocracy is rule by the rich.

Freedom of speech is limited by laws on libel, sedition, public order and national security.

A federal constitution is written and rigid to protect the division of powers between the levels of government.

Prorogation ends a session; dissolution ends the life of the legislature.

When a Prime Minister loses a vote of no confidence, parliament is usually dissolved and a general election held (unless another leader can form a government).

The Prime Minister heads the government; the head of state is ceremonial.

Equality before the law is one of Dicey's three principles of the rule of law.

Fundamental human rights are entrenched so they cannot be removed easily.

Parliament passes the main law and lets ministers or agencies make the detailed rules, saving its time.

Regular elections allow governments to be changed peacefully.

A multi-member constituency returns more than one representative.

The legislature checks the executive through budget control, questions, investigations and impeachment.

Democracy depends on all adults having the right to vote.

Concurrent powers are shared by the central and regional (state) governments.

Between conventions, the National Executive Committee makes the party's policies; the secretariat only administers.

Judicial review is the power of courts to declare laws or actions unconstitutional and void.

Among the options, the Treasury (Ministry of Finance) controls the release and spending of public funds; the legislature approves the budget.

With no opposition, a one-party state can easily become autocratic.

A rigid constitution needs a special amendment procedure (which may involve a two-thirds majority, the states or a referendum).

Dissolution ends the life of a legislature, after which elections are held.

Democratic governments are elected by and answerable to the people.

Marx said the owners of capital (the bourgeoisie) exploit the workers.

A foreigner becomes a citizen through naturalisation after meeting conditions such as years of residence.

Laws made by local councils are bye-laws.

In the parliamentary system the cabinet must resign if it loses a vote of no confidence.

The electoral commission organises and conducts elections.

A secret ballot protects voters from intimidation.

A referendum lets voters decide a specific issue directly.

Public opinion tells government how the people feel about its policies.

Pressure groups exist to influence government policies in their members' favour.

Without opposition parties, the ruling party can become dictatorial.

Parties educate voters on issues through rallies, campaigns and manifestos.

Traditional rulers governed with councils and could be checked or removed, so rule rested largely on the people's consent.

The British created warrant chiefs in the East because there were no centralised rulers.

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle.

The 1979 Constitution introduced the executive presidential system (also used by the 1999 Constitution).

Azikiwe became the (ceremonial) President when Nigeria became a republic in 1963.

Before 1963 independent African states were divided into the Casablanca, Brazzaville and Monrovia groups, which merged to form the OAU (replaced by the AU in 2002).

Coups usually follow bad government (corruption, rigging, disorder); good governance removes the excuse for intervention.

The main goal of the nationalists, independence, was achieved from 1957 (Ghana) onwards.

Commonwealth members share the English language (and historical links with Britain) but have different currencies and political systems.

Balewa's government was closely tied to Britain and the West (e.g. the Anglo-Nigerian Defence Pact).

Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria was Commonwealth Secretary-General from 1990 to 2000.

ECOSOC negotiates agreements that bring the specialised agencies into relationship with the UN and coordinates their work.

The Security Council's decisions are binding and the permanent members hold a veto.

(a) Democracy is government of the people, by the people and for the people, in which citizens rule directly or through freely elected representatives.
(b) Free, fair and periodic elections; independent electoral body; respect for the rule of law; independent judiciary; protection of fundamental rights; multi-party system and tolerance of opposition; free press; educated and politically aware electorate; good leadership; accountability and openness of government; separation of powers; a democratic culture/willingness of people to accept results; economic stability.

Definition plus at least five conditions explained.

Makes, amends and repeals laws.
Controls finance: approves the budget, taxes and spending.
Checks the executive: questions, investigations, vote of no confidence, impeachment.
Approves key appointments (ministers, ambassadors, judges).
Ratifies treaties; approves declaration of war and states of emergency.
Takes part in amending the constitution.
Represents the people and voices grievances.
Debates public issues and educates the public.
Oversees government agencies and parastatals.
Judicial functions, e.g. impeachment trials.

Explain each function.

State of emergency (war, natural disaster, serious unrest).
Lawful arrest on suspicion of a crime, pending trial.
Imprisonment or other punishment after conviction by a court.
Detention of persons of unsound mind, drug addicts or vagrants.
To prevent the spread of infectious disease (quarantine).
Detention of minors for their care and welfare.
In the interest of national security, public order, public morality or public health.
To protect the rights and freedoms of others (e.g. libel, sedition).
Under military rule (suspension of parts of the constitution).
Execution of a lawful death sentence.

Each circumstance should be explained.

Saves the legislature's time; it cannot handle all detailed rules.
Technical matters need experts in ministries and agencies.
Allows quick action in emergencies.
Flexibility: rules can be changed easily as conditions change.
Allows local authorities to make bye-laws suited to local needs.
Legislature may not be in session when rules are urgently needed.
Allows experimentation with new rules before a full law.
Complexity and volume of modern government business.

Explain each reason.

Independent and impartial electoral commission.
Accurate voters' register.
Secret ballot.
Universal adult suffrage.
Freedom of parties and candidates to campaign.
Impartial security agencies and absence of violence.
Independent judiciary to hear election petitions.
Free and impartial press.
Politically educated electorate.
Adequate election materials and trained officials.
Prompt counting and announcement of results in the presence of party agents and observers.

Point form with brief explanation.

Through councils of chiefs and title holders who helped in administration.
Use of religion and belief in the ruler's divine or sacred nature (e.g. Oba, Emir as religious leader).
Courts and customary/Islamic law: punishing offenders.
Control of land, which they held in trust for the people.
Collection of tributes and taxes.
Use of the army or palace guards.
Age grades and secret societies to enforce decisions.
Appointment of district and village heads/chiefs loyal to them.
Oracles and taboos in acephalous societies.
Rewards (titles) for loyalty and punishments (banishment) for disobedience.

Give examples from Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo systems.

(a) Assimilation failed: Africans resisted losing their culture; it was too expensive to educate everyone; few Africans qualified as citizens; France feared that millions of African citizens would outnumber the French in parliament; colonies were too large; African culture and Islam were strong; association promised more economic benefit to France.
(b) Africans kept their culture and customs but were ruled as subjects; administration was centralised under the Governor-General (Dakar) with chiefs as mere agents of French officials; the indigénat (summary punishment) and forced labour; colonies run mainly for the economic benefit of France; only a small élite of assimilated citizens with French rights; little political participation for subjects.

Answer both parts.

Parliamentary (Westminster) system of government.
The British monarch remained head of state, represented by a Governor-General.
A Prime Minister as head of government with a cabinet responsible to parliament.
Written constitutions with entrenched fundamental human rights.
Bicameral or unicameral legislatures (e.g. Nigeria had a Senate and House of Representatives).
Independent judiciary; final appeal to the Privy Council in London.
Federal structure in Nigeria (regions); unitary elsewhere (Ghana, Sierra Leone, Gambia).
Public and Judicial Service Commissions to protect the civil service and judiciary from politics.
Membership of the Commonwealth.
Multi-party system with an official opposition.

Use examples from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Gambia.

Example: Nigeria (or Ghana).
Corruption and mismanagement by civilian governments.
Election rigging and political violence (e.g. Nigeria 1964–65, 1983).
Breakdown of law and order.
Ethnic and regional tensions.
Economic crisis: inflation, unemployment, debt.
Ambition of military officers.
Grievances within the army.
Imitation of coups elsewhere and the 'success' of earlier coups.
Weak political institutions and lack of legitimacy of government.
Foreign influence.

Name the country and use its examples.

The Governor presided over it and had a casting vote.
Official majority: colonial officials outnumbered unofficial members.
Most unofficial members were nominated by the Governor, not elected.
Few elected members, on a narrow franchise (e.g. four in Nigeria from 1922).
The Governor had veto (reserved) powers and could pass laws without its consent.
Bills needed the approval of the Secretary of State/Crown, which could disallow laws.
Official members voted as the Governor directed.
Its powers were advisory; it could not control the executive.
In Nigeria its laws covered only the Colony and Southern Provinces; the North was ruled by the Governor's proclamations.

Explain how each device kept control in British hands.

Excluded the educated elite from administration.
Made traditional rulers autocratic tools of the British.
Many chiefs were illiterate and unsuited to modern government.
Imposed warrant chiefs without legitimacy in the East.
Encouraged ethnic division and regionalism (divide and rule).
Delayed political development and self-government.
Introduced oppressive taxation.
Kept the North isolated and backward in Western education.
Was a cheap means of continuing colonial exploitation.

Explain each criticism.

Example: Nigeria.
Protection of its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
Promotion of African unity and making Africa the centrepiece of its policy.
Eradication of colonialism and racism (apartheid) in Africa.
Promotion of economic development and regional integration (ECOWAS).
Promotion of world peace and international cooperation (UN, non-alignment).
Protection of the welfare of its citizens abroad.
Promotion of the country's image and prestige.

Four objectives, each explained.