WAEC Government 2004 Theory question 111

Theory question 111

Military Rule

(a) What is Military Rule?
(b) Give five reasons why people reject Military rule in West Africa.

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a) Military rule is government by the armed forces, who take power by force (a coup d'état), suspend the constitution and rule by decrees through a military council.
(b) Any five: it is undemocratic (rulers are not elected); suspends the constitution and legislature; abuse of human rights and press freedom; rule by decree without rule of law; ousts the courts' jurisdiction; bans political parties; corruption; prolongs itself in office / failed transition programmes; command structure unsuited to governance; counter-coups and instability; poor economic management and international isolation.

Explanation

Reasons should be about why citizens oppose it, not about why coups happen.