59 questions. Try each one, then open the answer to check yourself and read the explanation.
An undesirable attribute of capitalism is mostly seen in
Answer: B (exploitation of labour)
Under capitalism owners seek maximum profit, which often leads to low wages and exploitation of workers.
A constitution that requires an absolute majority of members of parliament to amend is a
Answer: D (rigid constitution)
A rigid constitution can only be changed through a special procedure, such as a large majority of the legislature.
What is the term given to the action of discontinuing a session of a parliament or other legislative assembly without dissolving?
Answer: C (Prorogation)
Prorogation ends a session of parliament without dissolving it; the same parliament meets again later.
In a monocephalous executive system of government, all executive powers are vested in the
Answer: B (President)
A monocephalous executive has a single head, the president, who is both head of state and head of government.
The action programme of a political party intended to be carried out when political power is won is known as
Answer: D (manifesto)
A party's manifesto sets out the programmes it promises to carry out if it wins power.
What does the mass media rely on to gauge public opinion?
Answer: C (Polls and surveys)
Opinion polls and surveys ask a sample of people their views, giving a measure of public opinion.
Which of the following options is the role of a newspaper in a state?
Answer: B (Disseminates information)
The basic role of a newspaper is to spread information and news to the public.
The Civil Service helps the government to
Answer: B (develop and implement policies effectively)
Civil servants advise ministers in making policies and carry them out.
A citizen is barred from active politics when employed as a
Answer: C (civil servant)
Civil servants must be politically neutral, so they cannot take part in partisan politics while in service.
Citizens' political participation is best practised under a
Answer: D (political party.)
Political parties let citizens contest elections, campaign and vote, the fullest form of political participation.
The most important function of government is to ensure the
Answer: D (security of the citizens.)
Protecting the lives and property of citizens is the first duty of any government.
The right to an adequate standard of living falls under
Answer: B (economic right.)
Rights to work, fair wages and an adequate standard of living are economic rights.
People's political values are continuously shaped by the following agents except
Answer: D (ombudsman)
Education, family and media are agents of political socialisation; the ombudsman handles complaints against officials.
In which political system are there two levels of government with considerable devolution?
Answer: B (Federalism)
Federalism shares power constitutionally between a central government and the component units.
A system of government in which people elect their lawmakers and make them accountable for their actions and inactions in government is
Answer: A (a representative government)
In representative government citizens elect people to make laws for them and hold them to account.
Which territories in British West Africa did the colonial government exercise limited jurisdiction?
Answer: C (Protectorates)
In protectorates Britain claimed only 'protection' and ruled through native authorities, so its legal jurisdiction was limited compared with the colonies.
One of the following French West African colonies was the first to gain independence.
Answer: C (Guinea)
Guinea voted 'No' in de Gaulle's 1958 referendum and became independent on 2 October 1958, before the others (1960).
The struggle by the chiefs and people of West Africa against political, social and economic dominance by European powers was referred to as
Answer: B (nationalism)
Nationalism is the movement by colonised people to resist foreign rule and win self-government.
The European imperialist penetration into West Africa was primarily motivated by the following considerations except
Answer: A (compassion)
Europeans came for raw materials, markets, prestige and strategic reasons; compassion was not a real motive.
Which policy made the colonized French West African partners with France in her colonial project?
Answer: B (Association policy)
Association replaced assimilation and treated Africans as 'associates' (partners) of France who could keep their own cultures.
The British colonial governor in West Africa wielded sweeping powers by virtue of
Answer: D (veto power.)
The governor could veto bills passed by the Legislative Council, which gave him sweeping powers.
The action plan by African countries under the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), aimed at tackling the following issues except
Answer: C (religious)
NEPAD deals with economic, political (governance) and social development; religion is not part of its plan.
What motivated the adoption of Indirect Rule system by the British in her West African colonies?
Answer: A (Effective and efficient tax system was in place)
In Northern Nigeria the emirs already had a working tax system and administration, which Lugard could use cheaply.
The Economic Community for West African States (ECOWAS) was established primarily to
Answer: D (promote economic growth and development among member states.)
The 1975 Lagos Treaty set up ECOWAS mainly to promote economic cooperation, growth and integration in West Africa.
The media can best contribute to the democratic process of a country by
Answer: B (setting the agenda for good governance)
By highlighting key issues and holding leaders to account, the media set the agenda for good governance.
Public corporations can deliver on their mandate if
Answer: A (incidences of corruption and mismanagement were dealt with.)
Corruption and mismanagement are the main causes of failure in public corporations, so tackling them improves performance.
Citizenship of a state is based on the following requirements except
Answer: C (education)
Citizenship can be acquired by birth, registration (e.g. marriage) or naturalisation; education is not a way.
One-party system encourages and often ends up in
Answer: B (dictatorship)
With no opposition to check it, a single party can become a dictatorship.
Which of the following tools is not used by pressure groups to achieve their aim?
Answer: C (Elections)
Pressure groups do not contest elections to take power; that is what political parties do.
Frequent military coup d'etats which topple elected governments negatively affect and stall
Answer: D (democratic gains)
Coups suspend the constitution and elected institutions, reversing democratic progress.
Local government performs a number of functions on behalf of the central government in the form of
Answer: C (mobilizing of resources for development.)
Local councils help mobilise people and resources for development at the grassroots.
In an environment of press freedom, the media play the role of
Answer: A (articulating views of individuals.)
A free press lets individuals and groups express their views on public matters.
Chiefs under the Indirect Rule system were used to carry out unpopular tasks, one of which was
Answer: C (military conscription.)
Chiefs were made to recruit men for forced labour and military service (e.g. during the World Wars), which made them unpopular.
In restoring peace and security to Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), deployed a military force known as
Answer: C (ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).)
ECOMOG (ECOWAS Ceasefire Monitoring Group) was the force sent to Liberia (1990) and Sierra Leone (1997).
The desire for foreign investments and overseas market had become the driving force behind many West African countries'
Answer: B (foreign policy.)
Economic interests such as attracting investment and finding markets shape how states deal with other countries, i.e. their foreign policy.
Citizenship does not only go with rights but also the performance of
Answer: C (certain obligations and duties)
Every citizen enjoys rights and must also perform duties and obligations to the state.
Taking over power, military governments disregard democratic protocols and rule mainly by
Answer: A (decrees.)
Military regimes make laws by decree instead of through an elected legislature.
Which electoral system best suits a heterogeneous political environment?
Answer: C (Proportional representation)
Proportional representation gives seats in line with votes, so the many groups in a heterogeneous society are represented.
Judicial review in a democratic environment is an aspect of
Answer: A (checks and balances.)
Through judicial review the courts can void unconstitutional acts of the other organs, part of checks and balances.
One advantage of multi-party system is that, the
Answer: A (electorate have wide range of choice.)
With many parties competing, voters can choose from many candidates and programmes.
The following factors motivated the formation and growth of political parties in British West African territories except
Answer: B (improvement in communication network)
The elective principle (Legislative Council seats), nationalist newspapers and outside influences (World Wars, Pan-Africanism) spurred parties; improved communication networks were not a key motive.
Undue political interference in the work of electoral management bodies in West Africa has the potential to
Answer: C (erode the independence of the institution.)
When politicians interfere, the electoral body can no longer act independently and impartially.
A person who is denied the right to vote is described as
Answer: B (disenfranchised.)
To disenfranchise someone is to take away or deny their right to vote.
Public corporation is a semi-independent statutory body established by
Answer: A (an Act of Parliament.)
A statutory body is set up by a statute, i.e. an Act of Parliament.
One of the objectives of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is to
Answer: C (promote and encourage respect for human rights and freedoms.)
The UN Charter lists promoting respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms as one of its purposes.
The West African Youth League (W.A.Y.L) was a nationalist movement founded by
Answer: B (I. T. A Wallace-Johnson.)
I.T.A. Wallace-Johnson founded the West African Youth League in the Gold Coast (1935) and later Sierra Leone.
Commonwealth member states derive the following benefits from the association except
Answer: C (political instability)
The Commonwealth gives aid, scholarships and sporting links (Commonwealth Games); political instability is not a benefit.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is saddled with many problems, one of which is
Answer: A (colonial heritage.)
Different colonial legacies (English, French, Portuguese languages, currencies and ties) divide ECOWAS members. Since 2024–25 the split has deepened: Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger left ECOWAS (effective January 2025) to form the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
In which system of government are all the component units sovereign?
Answer: A (Confederal)
In a confederation each member state keeps its sovereignty; the centre has only the powers they allow it.
Highlight five features that make democracy the most popular system of government.
Any five: government by consent of the people through free, fair and periodic elections; popular participation; protection of fundamental human rights; rule of law; freedom of speech, press and association; majority rule with respect for minority rights; multi-party system and tolerance of opposition; separation of powers and checks and balances; accountability and transparency; peaceful change of government; supremacy of the constitution; independent judiciary.
Five features, each with one sentence on why it makes democracy popular.
Explain five factors that limit the powers of government.
Any five, explained: the constitution; rule of law; separation of powers and checks and balances; independent judiciary/judicial review; public opinion and the mass media; pressure groups; opposition parties and the legislature; periodic elections; international law, treaties and organisations; fundamental human rights; federalism (division of powers); customs and conventions.
Explain how each factor restrains government.
Outline five reasons for which the judiciary is kept independent of the control of the executive and legislature.
Any five: to ensure impartial dispensation of justice; to protect the rule of law; to protect citizens' rights and freedoms; to check abuse of power by other organs (judicial review); to uphold the supremacy of the constitution; to settle disputes between tiers/organs of government fairly; to give public confidence in courts; to promote democracy and good governance; to attract investment through a fair legal system.
Five reasons; one line each.
Identify five factors that make public opinion an important aspect of the democratic process.
Any five: it shows government the wishes of the people; guides policy making; checks government (leaders fear losing popularity); provides feedback on policies; promotes participation; guides parties in drawing manifestos and choosing candidates; helps protect rights and freedoms; promotes accountability; can lead to change of unpopular policies or leaders.
Explain each factor in relation to democracy.
Highlight five ways of effectively controlling the local government to live up to its mandate.
Any five: control by the state government/ministry of local government (approval of budgets, directives); legislative control by the State House of Assembly (laws, probes); judicial control (courts); financial control (audit, statutory allocation conditions, joint account); dissolution/suspension of failing councils; control by the electorate (elections, recall); public complaints commission/ombudsman; pressure groups and the media; inspection and supervision by local government service commission.
Name each control and say briefly how it works.
(a) State three institutions in Yoruba Pre-colonial political system of administration.
(b) Explain four checks and balances that existed in Yoruba Pre-colonial political system.
(a) Any three: the Oba/Alaafin; Oyo Mesi (council of kingmakers led by the Bashorun); Ogboni society; Are Ona Kakanfo (army commander) and the army; Baales and town chiefs; the Ifa oracle/priests.
(b) Any four: Oyo Mesi could reject (present an empty calabash or parrot's eggs to) an erring Alaafin, forcing him to commit suicide; the Ogboni checked the Oyo Mesi and mediated between it and the Alaafin; the Alaafin could check the Oyo Mesi, as the Bashorun had to die with a deposed king; Ifa oracle consulted in choosing and guiding rulers; the Are Ona Kakanfo had to commit suicide if he lost a war, and could not enter the capital; the people could revolt or desert an unpopular king.
Three institutions; then explain four checks, saying who checked whom.
Identify five weaknesses of the Independence Constitution of 1960.
Any five: Nigeria was not fully sovereign: the Queen remained Head of State via the Governor-General; the Privy Council in London remained the final court of appeal; dual (nominal and real) executive caused conflict; the large Northern Region was bigger than the others combined, causing fear of domination; regional governments were too powerful compared with the centre; no provision for creating new states easily (minorities' fears not addressed); emergency powers allowed the centre to take over regions (used in the West 1962); weak protection of minority groups; made by British and not ratified by the people.
Five clear weaknesses.
Explain five problems Nigeria encounters in her interaction with nations of the world.
Any five, explained: poor national image (corruption, fraud, drug trafficking); insecurity and terrorism (Boko Haram, banditry); economic dependence on oil and foreign aid/debt; political instability and past military rule leading to sanctions; weak economy and currency limiting influence; poor funding of foreign missions; human rights abuses; border disputes (e.g. Bakassi); inconsistent foreign policy; brain drain and treatment of Nigerians abroad; colonial ties and neo-colonialism.
Explain each problem with an example.
Highlight five positive impacts of British and French colonial administration in West Africa.
Any five: introduction of Western education and schools; modern health care and hospitals; roads, railways, ports and other infrastructure; introduction of modern (Western-style) system of government, constitutions and the civil service; a common language (English/French) uniting different groups; ending of inter-tribal wars, slave trade and some harmful practices; introduction of modern legal and judicial systems; creation of states/boundaries; introduction of cash crops and a money economy; political awareness that led to nationalism.
Five benefits, each briefly explained.
Identify five ways in which democracy was stalled any time the military took over the administration of Nigeria.
Any five: suspension/abrogation of the constitution; rule by decrees; dissolution of the legislature; banning of political parties and activities; dissolution of the electoral body/cancellation of elections (e.g. June 12, 1993); abuse of human rights and detention without trial; ouster clauses that removed courts' power of review; muzzling of the press; fusion of executive and legislative powers in the military council; appointment of military administrators instead of elected governors; prolonged transition programmes (tenure elongation).
Five clear ways, each linked to loss of democracy.