WAEC Government 2000 past questions and answers

As an institution, government is made up of the legislature, executive and judiciary, which make, carry out and interpret laws.

Authority is power that people accept as rightful (legitimate).

Under the rule of law everything must be done according to law (legality) and the law applies equally to all (impartiality).

Free speech can lawfully be restricted in the interest of national security and public order.

Respecting national symbols such as the flag and anthem is a civic duty; the others are optional activities.

Legitimacy is the people's acceptance that the government and its actions are rightful.

Diplomats cannot be tried in the host country's courts, which breaks the principle that everyone is equal before the law.

Each level of government has its own legislature, executive, judiciary and civil service, so institutions are duplicated.

Many parties give room for many different interests and opinions to be represented.

The President can refuse assent to bills passed by the legislature.

Serfs were at the bottom of feudal society, bound to the land.

Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany sought total control over all aspects of life.

In a federation the constitution is supreme and binds all levels of government.

Habeas corpus orders that a detained person be produced in court so the legality of the detention can be tested.

An elite (cadre) party is led and dominated by the wealthy and highly placed few.

Critics say capitalism allows owners to exploit workers and consumers.

A proxy votes on behalf of someone who has authorised him.

Democracy is based on consent, freedom and accountability, so it has the least authoritarianism; fascism is the most authoritarian.

A President is both head of state (ceremonial) and head of government (executive).

A manifesto sets out what a party will do if elected.

Court decisions (judicial precedents) that interpret the constitution become part of constitutional law.

In a monarchy the throne passes by inheritance.

Dictatorial or military governments restrict the free expression of opinion.

A supreme constitution guarantees each level its own powers.

In a federation the central and state governments are coordinate: each is independent and equal in status within its own sphere.

The Managing Director (or Director-General) runs the corporation day to day; the Board makes policy.

The (Federal or State) Civil Service Commission appoints, promotes and disciplines civil servants.

Red tapism is delay caused by too many rules and procedures.

Enfranchisement gives people the vote.

Capitalism is based on private ownership of the means of production.

Rigging means the elected people do not truly represent the voters' choice.

Matters reserved for the federal government only are on the exclusive list.

The National Assembly is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Parliament leaves detailed rules to ministries and agencies, saving its time.

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 is usually regarded as Nigeria's first constitution (the 1914 amalgamation was done by Letters Patent without a full constitution).

Members of the central and regional houses were elected indirectly through electoral colleges.

The Richards Constitution of 1946 first divided Nigeria into three regions with regional Houses of Assembly.

Gowon announced the '3Rs': reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction, with the slogan 'no victor, no vanquished'.

The Murtala/Obasanjo regime (1975–79) backed the MPLA in Angola and liberation movements in Southern Africa.

They were called warrant chiefs because they held warrants from the British.

A bill sponsored by an ordinary legislator (not the executive) is a private member's bill.

Each state has the same number of senators (three under the 1999 Constitution).

In the Oyo system the Oyomesi checked the Alaafin, the Ogboni checked the Oyomesi, and the Alaafin could appeal to them.

The Igbo had no kings; decisions were made by elders and village assemblies where most adult men had a say.

Emirs in the Caliphate were confirmed by the Sultan of Sokoto or the Emir of Gwandu, the two headquarters.

Under assimilation the French ruled directly through their own officials, not through traditional rulers.

Many different currencies (CFA franc, naira, cedi, etc.) make trade among members difficult; a single ECOWAS currency is still only planned.

The League of Nations (1919–46) came before the UN.

Merits (any three): orderly and peaceful change of government; rulers are accountable to the people; protection of fundamental human rights; rule of law and equality before the law; decisions reflect the will of the majority; promotes political participation and education; government is legitimate.
Demerits (any three): expensive (elections, many institutions); slow decision-making; majority may oppress minorities; can bring mediocre leaders through popularity rather than merit; illiterate voters can be manipulated; encourages party conflict and division; vulnerable to rigging and vote-buying.

Exactly three of each, briefly explained.

Chief executive: implements laws and policies.
Head of state and symbol of national unity (functions are fused).
Commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
Appoints ministers, ambassadors, judges and heads of agencies (with legislative approval).
Presides over the cabinet/executive council.
Prepares and presents the budget.
Assents to or vetoes bills.
Conducts foreign relations and signs treaties.
Grants pardons (prerogative of mercy).
Declares state of emergency and war (with legislative approval).
Confers national honours.

Explain at least five functions.

Means of choosing leaders/representatives.
Gives government legitimacy (consent of the people).
Peaceful and orderly change of government.
Holds leaders accountable: bad leaders can be voted out.
Promotes political participation.
Educates the people on issues and policies.
Expresses popular sovereignty.
Allows people to choose between policies and programmes.
Recruits new political leaders.

Explain each reason.

Purpose: civil service administers government policies; corporations provide services or run businesses (sometimes for profit).
Control: civil service is directly under ministers; corporations have boards of directors with some autonomy.
Finance: civil service is funded from the consolidated fund through the budget; corporations earn revenue and can borrow.
Legal basis: civil service is part of government ministries under civil service rules; corporations are set up by specific laws (statutes) and can sue and be sued.
Head: civil service is headed by permanent secretaries/Head of Service; corporations by managing directors/directors-general.
Staff: civil servants are recruited by the Civil Service Commission; corporation staff by their boards.
Revenue: ministries pay revenue into the consolidated fund; corporations keep theirs.

Five clear contrasts.

Undemocratic: no choice of parties or programmes.
Leads to dictatorship and personality cult.
No organised opposition to check government; abuse of power.
Suppression of human rights (association, expression).
Encourages corruption and complacency.
No peaceful way to change government; may lead to coups or violence.
Minority interests are ignored.
Limits political education and participation.
Leaders may remain in power for life.

Five problems, each described.

Agitated for constitutional reforms and self-government (e.g. NCNC's 1946 London delegation against the Richards Constitution).
Took part in constitutional conferences (1950 Ibadan, 1953/54 London, 1957, 1958).
Formed regional governments under the 1951 and 1954 constitutions, gaining self-government experience.
Moved motions for self-government (Enahoro, 1953) and set the date for independence.
Provided leaders who negotiated and led the country at independence.
Educated and mobilised the public on constitutional issues.
Contested elections that made the constitutions work.
Contributed to the debates for the 1963 and 1979 constitutions.

Five ways with examples.

East: absence of centralised traditional rulers; Igbo society was acephalous.
Warrant chiefs imposed by the British lacked legitimacy and were corrupt.
Republican and egalitarian nature of Igbo society: people would not accept one-man rule.
Introduction of direct taxation was resented (Aba Women's Riot, 1929).
West: Obas' powers were limited by councils (Oyomesi, Ogboni); making them autocratic caused conflict (e.g. Egba uprising 1918).
Opposition of the educated elite, who were excluded.
Absence of an existing system of taxation in the South.
Small, scattered communities and language differences.

Concentrate on why it failed in the South.

Representative of the British Crown in the colony.
Chief executive: head of the colonial administration.
President of the Executive and Legislative Councils.
Made laws (with or without the Legislative Council) and issued proclamations.
Veto/reserved powers over legislation.
Appointed and disciplined colonial officials and chiefs.
Maintained law and order; commanded the police and colonial forces.
Prepared the colonial budget and controlled revenue.
Implemented instructions of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and reported to him.
Prerogative of mercy.

Explain each function.

1914: amalgamation of Northern and Southern Protectorates by Lugard; separate administrations kept (seeds of federalism).
1922 Clifford Constitution: Legislative Council for the South only; North governed separately.
1939: Southern Provinces split into Eastern and Western groups of provinces (three units).
1946 Richards Constitution: three regions with regional Houses of Assembly (and House of Chiefs in the North) — regionalism.
1950 Ibadan General Conference recommended a federal structure.
1951 Macpherson Constitution: quasi-federal; regional legislatures with law-making powers and regional executive councils; central legislature.
1953 crisis (self-government motion, Kano riot) showed the need for true federalism; London conference 1953.
1954 Lyttleton Constitution: full federation with three regions and Lagos as federal territory, division of powers (exclusive, concurrent, residual lists), regional premiers, federal and regional civil services and judiciaries.

A chronological account with dates.

1963: parliamentary (Westminster) system; 1979: presidential system.
1963: ceremonial President and executive Prime Minister; 1979: executive President who is both head of state and government.
1963: fusion of powers, ministers drawn from parliament; 1979: separation of powers, ministers not members of the legislature.
1963: four regions (with regional premiers, governors); 1979: 19 states with elected executive governors.
1963: President elected by parliament; 1979: President elected directly by the people (25% in two-thirds of states).
1963: no fixed term for the executive (vote of no confidence); 1979: fixed four-year term, removal by impeachment.
1963: House of Chiefs in some regions; 1979: none.
1979: Code of Conduct Bureau, federal character principle, local government recognised in the constitution — none in 1963.
1963: Senate members chosen by regional legislatures; 1979: senators directly elected (five per state).

Point-by-point contrasts.

Sovereign equality of all member states.
Non-interference in the internal affairs of states.
Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of each state and its right to independent existence.
Peaceful settlement of disputes by negotiation, mediation, conciliation or arbitration.
Unreserved condemnation of political assassination and subversive activities by neighbouring states.
Absolute dedication to the total emancipation of African territories still dependent.
Non-alignment with regard to all blocs.
(The OAU was replaced by the African Union in 2002.)

These are the seven principles in Article III of the OAU Charter.

Technical assistance and aid (Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation).
Educational scholarships and exchanges (e.g. Commonwealth Scholarship).
Trade preferences and economic cooperation.
Forum for consultation at Heads of Government meetings; mediation in disputes.
Support for democracy and human rights; election observation.
Cultural and sporting links (Commonwealth Games).
Common use of English and similar legal and administrative systems aid cooperation.
Diplomatic support in international bodies.
Help in times of disaster.

Five benefits with examples.