59 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.
Government is defined as an agency established to manage the affairs of
Answer: C (the state.)
Government is the machinery through which the affairs of the state are run.
A function of government is
Answer: C (making of laws.)
Making laws is a basic function of government. Electoral bodies should be independent, and parties and pressure groups are formed by citizens.
Government maintains law and order through the following except
Answer: C (the legislature.)
The police, immigration service and prisons are enforcement agencies that keep law and order; the legislature makes laws but does not itself enforce order.
According to Karl Marx, socialism developed as a consequence of the evils of
Answer: D (capitalism.)
Marx argued that capitalism exploits workers, and socialism would arise from the conflict this creates.
A system of government which is based on public ownership of means of production and distribution is called
Answer: A (socialism.)
Under socialism the state or community owns the major means of production and distribution.
Which of the following is not a feature of a state?
Answer: C (Mass Media)
The features of a state are population, territory, government and sovereignty; the mass media are not one of them.
Acceptability of the government in power by the governed is known as
Answer: A (legitimacy.)
Legitimacy is the people's acceptance of a government's right to rule.
For democracy to be sustained in a country it needs a
Answer: B (well-informed electorate.)
Voters who understand issues can make good choices and hold leaders accountable.
Which of the following agents can be considered as the most effective agent of political socialization? The
Answer: A (family.)
The family is the first and most lasting influence on a child's political values and attitudes.
The guiding principle of communism is 'from each according to his/her
Answer: A (ability and to each according to his/her need'.)
Marx's famous slogan for communism is 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs'.
Which of the following countries practised totalitarianism?
Answer: B (Italy, Russia and Germany)
Fascist Italy (Mussolini), Nazi Germany (Hitler) and Soviet Russia (Stalin) are the classic totalitarian states.
The theory of separation of powers was propounded by
Answer: C (Charles Montesquieu.)
Baron de Montesquieu set out the theory in The Spirit of the Laws (1748). Dicey is linked with the rule of law.
The principle of checks and balances is important because it
Answer: A (prevents each organ of government from being dictatorial.)
Each arm can limit the others, so none can become dictatorial.
An agreed set of regulations, conventions and customs by which a country or an organization is governed is the
Answer: A (constitution.)
This is the definition of a constitution.
A constitution is considered to be flexible if it
Answer: A (can be amended by a simple majority.)
A flexible constitution is amended like an ordinary law, by simple majority.
The body responsible for the implementation of law is the
Answer: C (executive.)
The executive carries out (implements) laws.
Bicameralism is necessary in a federal state to demonstrate that
Answer: B (localized interests receive adequate representation.)
In a federation the upper house gives the component states equal representation, protecting local interests.
Which of the following strengthens the power of the Supreme Court against the executive and the legislature?
Answer: B (Judicial review)
Judicial review lets the court declare laws and executive acts void if they violate the constitution.
In the United States of America, the legislature is called the
Answer: A (Congress.)
The US legislature is Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives.
A corrupt judicial system erodes the observance of
Answer: B (the rule of law.)
If judges can be bribed, people are not equal before the law, so the rule of law is undermined.
Which system of government has fusion of ceremonial and executive functions as a feature?
Answer: A (Presidential)
In the presidential system one person, the president, is both ceremonial head of state and executive head of government. The cabinet system separates them (e.g. monarch and prime minister).
One duty of a good citizen is
Answer: B (respect of the dignity and rights of others.)
A good citizen respects other people's rights and dignity.
The rights of citizens to benefit from public utility is classified as
Answer: A (social rights.)
Rights to enjoy social services and public utilities, like education and health, are social rights.
Which of the following is a fundamental right? Right to
Answer: A (life.)
The right to life is the most basic fundamental human right in the constitution.
The political party whose membership comprises people of high social status is called
Answer: C (elite party.)
An elite (cadre) party is made up of wealthy, educated or high-status people.
A political party is significant because it
Answer: C (seeks political power.)
What makes a political party different from other groups is that it seeks to win and use political power.
A political system in which there is only one legalized political party is called a
Answer: A (de jure one-party system.)
De jure means 'by law': the law allows only one party. In a de facto system other parties are legal but one party dominates.
Provision of political education through rallies and newspapers is a function of
Answer: A (political parties.)
Parties educate voters through rallies, campaigns and publications.
Which of the following is not a method used by pressure groups to achieve their objectives?
Answer: D (Contesting for political positions)
Pressure groups do not contest elections; that is what parties do.
An effective way of strengthening societal institutions is through the expression of
Answer: D (public opinion.)
Public opinion, the views of the people generally, guides and strengthens institutions.
A "Yes" or "No" vote on a specific political issue in a country is called
Answer: A (referendum.)
In a referendum citizens vote yes or no on a particular question.
The electoral system in which the winner should have more than all the votes of all the other contestants put together is called
Answer: D (absolute majority system.)
An absolute majority means more than half of all votes cast (more than all others combined).
Which of the following is a civil/public servant?
Answer: B (Clerk of the House)
The Clerk of the House is a permanent official of the legislature. The others are politicians.
Which of the following statements about public corporation is not true?
Answer: D (It is financed mainly by private individuals)
Public corporations are funded mainly by government, not private individuals.
Local governments are vital in modern politics as they
Answer: B (train the local people in the art of governance.)
Local councils serve as a training ground for leaders and citizens.
In the pre-colonial era, the breaking of an oath by a chief could
Answer: D (lead to his destoolment.)
A chief who broke his oath of office could be removed (destooled) by the kingmakers.
One feature of pre-independence constitutions in West Africa is the
Answer: B (executive and legislative councils.)
Colonial constitutions set up an Executive Council and a Legislative Council under the Governor.
The excessive power of the traditional rulers in the pre-colonial era could be checked by
Answer: B (the priests.)
Priests and oracles could declare that the gods had rejected a ruler, which checked abuse of power.
The Secretary of State for the colonies was responsible for
Answer: B (initiating colonial policies.)
The Colonial Secretary in London made policy for the colonies.
The crown colonies in the British West Africa were administered through
Answer: D (direct rule.)
Crown colonies such as Lagos and Freetown were ruled directly by British officials, unlike the protectorates where indirect rule was used.
Colonial administration in West Africa was as a result of
Answer: C (a need for raw materials and markets.)
European industries wanted cheap raw materials and markets for their goods.
Policy of assimilation was successfully operated by the French in
Answer: B (Goree.)
Assimilation was applied mainly in Senegal's four communes: Dakar, Gorée, Rufisque and Saint-Louis.
The post-Second World War nationalism in West Africa was characterized by
Answer: D (increased agitation.)
After 1945 nationalists formed mass parties and demanded independence more strongly.
One of the defects associated with most pre-independence constitutions in British West Africa was
Answer: A (veto power of the Governor.)
The Governor could veto bills and overrule African members.
In a military regime, the arms of government that are usually fused are
Answer: C (legislature and executive.)
Military councils both make laws (decrees) and execute them.
A military intervention into the politics of a state involves
Answer: B (the seizure of power from a legitimate government by the armed forces.)
Military intervention is the seizure of power by the armed forces.
A major merit of a country's foreign policy is that it
Answer: B (promotes country's national interest.)
Foreign policy exists to protect and advance national interest.
One primary objective of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) is to
Answer: B (eradicate poverty.)
NEPAD (2001) aims to eradicate poverty and promote sustainable development in Africa. It is now the AU Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD).
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was formally established in Lagos on
Answer: D (May 28, 1975.)
The Treaty of Lagos founding ECOWAS was signed on 28 May 1975 by 15 states.
(a) What is a legitimate government?
(b) Outline any four features of legitimacy.
(a) A legitimate government is one that the people accept as having the right to rule, usually because it came to power lawfully (e.g. by free elections) and governs according to the constitution.
(b) Any four:
1. Acceptance by the people.
2. Legality: came to power by constitutional means.
3. Respect for rule of law and constitution.
4. Recognition internally and by other states.
5. Popular support/participation.
6. Satisfaction of people's needs (performance).
7. Respect for fundamental human rights.
8. Responsiveness to public opinion.
Legitimacy is acceptance; features show why people accept a government.
(a) What are rights?
(b) Highlight four limitations on the rights of a citizen.
(a) Rights are the freedoms, privileges and benefits that citizens are entitled to enjoy and that the state recognises and protects by law.
(b) Any four:
1. Laws against libel, slander and sedition.
2. State of emergency.
3. Lawful arrest, detention or imprisonment by a court.
4. Public health (quarantine during epidemics).
5. Interest of national security/defence.
6. Respect for the rights of others.
7. Military rule.
8. Official secrets; restrictions on public servants' political activities.
9. Age limits (e.g. voting).
Each limitation should be a lawful reason for restricting rights.
(a) Differentiate between a de jure and de facto one-party system.
(b) Outline four advantages of a multi-party system.
(a) De jure: the law/constitution allows only one party (e.g. Ghana 1964–66, Tanzania until 1992). De facto: other parties are legally allowed but one party is so dominant that it is in practice the only effective party.
(b) Any four:
1. Wider choice for voters.
2. Represents all shades of opinion and minority interests.
3. Strong opposition checks the government.
4. Promotes political education and participation.
5. Healthy competition and good governance.
6. Prevents dictatorship.
7. Freedom of association.
(a) is about law versus practice.
(a) What is a simple majority system?
(b) Outline four demerits of the system.
(a) The simple majority (first-past-the-post) system is one in which the candidate with the highest number of votes wins, even if that is less than half of all votes cast.
(b) Any four:
1. Winner may be elected by a minority of voters.
2. Small parties are under-represented.
3. Seats won may not reflect share of votes.
4. Many votes are wasted.
5. Encourages ethnic/regional voting and gerrymandering.
6. Can produce weak legitimacy for the winner.
Contrast with absolute majority (more than 50%).
Identify five ways by which the central government can improve upon local government system in West Africa.
Any five:
1. Adequate funding and prompt release of allocations.
2. Granting local governments real autonomy; less interference.
3. Regular, free and fair local elections.
4. Training and employment of qualified staff.
5. Proper auditing and anti-corruption checks.
6. Allowing them to raise more revenue (e.g. tax powers).
7. Providing logistics and equipment.
8. Clear constitutional definition of functions.
9. Involving traditional rulers and communities.
Answer with actions the central government can take.
Outline five functions performed by the Ogboni Secret Society in the pre-colonial Yoruba political system.
Any five:
1. Checked the powers of the Oba/Alaafin and the Oyo Mesi.
2. Final say on the Oyo Mesi's rejection of the Alaafin (approved the 'empty calabash'/death sentence).
3. Mediated between the Alaafin and the Oyo Mesi.
4. Acted as a judicial body: tried serious cases, e.g. murder; court of appeal.
5. Performed religious rites (earth cult) and preserved customs.
6. Took part in burial of the Alaafin and installation of a new one.
7. Advised the king; helped make laws.
8. Maintained law and order.
The Ogboni balanced power between the king and the Oyo Mesi.
(a) What is a crown colony?
(b) Highlight four functions of the Secretary of State for the colony under the British colonial system.
(a) A crown colony was a territory acquired by Britain through settlement, conquest or cession and ruled directly by the British Crown through a Governor (e.g. Lagos Colony, Freetown).
(b) Any four:
1. Formulated colonial policy.
2. Appointed, posted and removed Governors.
3. Approved colonial budgets, major projects and laws.
4. Answered to the British Parliament on colonial matters.
5. Approved draft constitutions; issued Orders-in-Council.
6. Received petitions and delegations from colonies.
7. Set up commissions of enquiry.
8. Gave instructions and advice to Governors.
Crown colony = direct rule; protectorates were ruled indirectly.
Highlight five contributions of Herbert Macaulay to the political development of Nigeria.
Any five:
1. Founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1923, Nigeria's first political party.
2. First president of the NCNC (1944).
3. Fought for the rights of the people of Lagos, e.g. the Oluwa land case (1921) and the Eleko affair.
4. Founded the Lagos Daily News to spread nationalist ideas.
5. Opposed colonial injustices such as the water rate and land policies.
6. Inspired younger nationalists; called 'father of Nigerian nationalism'.
7. Took part in the 1945 NCNC tour against the Richards Constitution, during which he died (1946).
Dates help: NNDP formed in 1923 after the Clifford Constitution.
(a) What is foreign policy?
(b) State four factors that influence Nigeria's foreign policy.
(a) Foreign policy is the set of principles, goals and strategies that guide a country's relations with other countries and international organisations.
(b) Any four:
1. National interest.
2. Size and population.
3. Economic resources (oil).
4. Colonial history (ties with Britain).
5. Geographical location in West Africa.
6. Military strength.
7. Leadership and type of government.
8. Public opinion and pressure groups.
9. Membership of international organisations (ECOWAS, AU, UN, Commonwealth).
Factors are influences, not objectives.
Outline any five contributions of Nigeria towards the growth of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Any five:
1. Co-founded ECOWAS with Togo; the treaty was signed in Lagos (1975).
2. Hosts the ECOWAS Commission (Secretariat) headquarters in Abuja.
3. Largest financial contributor to the budget.
4. Led ECOMOG peace-keeping in Liberia, Sierra Leone and elsewhere, with troops and money.
5. Provided Executive Secretaries/Presidents of the Commission and chairmanship.
6. Hosts the ECOWAS Parliament and Court of Justice in Abuja.
7. Supports free movement protocol and trade liberalisation.
8. Helped restore democracy in member states (e.g. The Gambia 2017).
9. Provided aid and technical assistance to poorer members.
Note: ECOWAS had 15 members in 2017; it now has 12 after Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left in January 2025.