WAEC Government 2026 past questions and answers

Which of the following principles is an ethic of a responsible media needed for the deepening of democracy?

1. A.Balanced reporting
2. B.Effective competition
3. C.Secrecy of operations
4. D.Loyalty to owners

Which of the following institutions do not exercise powers of delegated legislation?

1. A.Pressure groups
2. B.Professional bodies
3. C.Public boards
4. D.Local governments

An electoral contest among members of the same political party to elect candidates for a main election is referred to as

1. A.primaries
2. B.delegation
3. C.bye-election
4. D.franchise

To what extent do traditional authorities contribute to the democracy in the current political arrangements of Nigeria?

1. A.Political competition and control
2. B.Representation and inclusion
3. C.Cultural supremacy and land ownership
4. D.Source of authority and power

One of the functions of the Executive Council in the British colonial administration was that, it

1. A.advised the governor on matters of policy
2. B.settled disputes between ethnic groups
3. C.regulated the selection and installation of traditional rulers
4. D.recommended sanctions for erring chiefs

A political structure in which the ruling position is open to all persons, irrespective of the background, is known as

1. A.unitarism
2. B.federalism
3. C.communism
4. D.republicanism

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has struggled to achieve a single currency since its establishment. Which of the following factors constitutes a major hindrance to the common monetary zone of ECOWAS?

1. A.Failure to establish a Central Bank
2. B.Threats from opposition political parties in member countries
3. C.Lack of political commitment among member countries
4. D.Fear of sanctions from the World Bank

Which of the following factors constitutes a major limitation to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in carrying out peacekeeping operations?

1. A.Absence of innovative strategies on conflict
2. B.Unwillingness of rebel groups to contribute personnel
3. C.Limited funding and logistics
4. D.Lack of support from local communities

Under the 1954 constitution, regional governments had greater control over certain matters. Which of the following options represents the main structural implication of this arrangement?

1. A.Nigeria became an independent state that was free from colonial rule
2. B.The Governor-General lost his powers to the local government units
3. C.The central government became weaker than traditional rulers
4. D.Regional governments could legislate independently on residual matters

The principle of secret vote is mainly concerned with

1. A.providing adequate security at election centres
2. B.protecting the choice of voters from exposure
3. C.allowing voting behind closed-doors
4. D.keeping ballot papers in secured containers

Foreign policy can best be explained as

1. A.measures for defending the boundaries of a state against external aggression
2. B.appointment of ambassadors to other member countries
3. C.a set of principles that guide a country's interactions with other countries
4. D.a nation's strategy for dealing with the influx of foreigners

A two-party system means that

1. A.there are only two parties in the country
2. B.two parties form a strong opposition
3. C.coalition government is formed between two parties
4. D.only two parties are capable of winning elections

Which of the following media served as the official mouthpiece of nationalist movements that operated during the colonial era?

1. A.Gazette
2. B.Civil servants
3. C.Chiefs
4. D.Newspapers

The success of a political party in a democracy greatly depends on

1. A.financial status of its members
2. B.literacy level of supporters
3. C.recognition by the electoral management body
4. D.widespread membership

All of the following options are reasons for which countries adopt unicameral legislature, except that it

1. A.promotes greater representation
2. B.allows for use of expert knowledge
3. C.avoids delays in the passage of bills
4. D.is cheaper to operate

One-party systems have the following advantages except that they

1. A.quicken decision-making
2. B.suppress rival political groups
3. C.promote integration
4. D.ensure political stability

A federal system of government addresses the desire for diversity by

1. A.eliminating regional differences through central control
2. B.ensuring timely release of funds to the local government units
3. C.creating different structures at the capital
4. D.allowing local governments to address local needs

When civilian governments are removed in military coups, democracy suffers because

1. A.universities get closed
2. B.representation of the people is limited
3. C.media practitioners undermine transparency
4. D.traditional leaders are sidelined

A process in which members of Parliament vote in order to officially remove a Prime Minister from office is known as

1. A.vote of recall
2. B.vote of impeachment
3. C.vote of censure
4. D.vote of no confidence

One disadvantage of a one-party system is that it

1. A.undermines economic growth
2. B.does not support coalition governments
3. C.may lead to dictatorship
4. D.is too expensive to operate

Which of the following factors determines legitimacy of governments?

1. A.Active competition among political parties
2. B.Effective analysis of government policies
3. C.Respect for other countries
4. D.Involvement of the people in governance

Bodies created by Acts of Parliament to provide essential goods and services at reasonable prices are known as

1. A.civil service
2. B.chamber of industries
3. C.credit union
4. D.statutory corporations

Cultural diplomacy may best contribute to the long-term objectives of a country's foreign policy by

1. A.strengthening scientific and technological collaborations
2. B.encouraging free speech and knowledge sharing
3. C.expanding opportunities for bi-lateral trade agreements
4. D.promoting mutual understanding and collaboration

Which of the following features strongly indicates the existence of a nation when examining the characteristics that differentiates a nation from a state?

1. A.Common ancestry
2. B.International recognition
3. C.Established political institutions
4. D.Definite territory

An interest group is primarily concerned with

1. A.the interest of the ruling class
2. B.supporting government policies
3. C.the general welfare of the people
4. D.particular needs of its members

Limited franchise is based on the fact that

1. A.all adult citizens have equal voting rights
2. B.elections are limited to two major parties
3. C.voting is done in only a small part of the state
4. D.few privileged people can vote

The influence of Nigeria's colonial past on its foreign policy is directly observed by its

1. A.membership of the Commonwealth
2. B.association with the United Nations
3. C.adoption of Western economic models
4. D.participation in peacekeeping activities

In a parliamentary system of government, the Prime Minister is the head of

1. A.Parliament
2. B.armed forces
3. C.state
4. D.government

Which of the following options is not an important condition for sustaining democracy?

1. A.Strict enforcement of laws
2. B.Entrenchment of personal liberties
3. C.Empowerment of traditional authorities
4. D.Efficient collection of taxes and levies

Which of the following officials of the legislature is not elected? The

1. A.deputy speaker
2. B.speaker
3. C.leader
4. D.clerk

A common feature of constitutions in British West African colonies in the 1920s was the

1. A.abolishing of the chieftaincy institution
2. B.granting of independence to West African states
3. C.introduction of the elective principle
4. D.adoption of federal system for the colonies

The right of citizens to vote in an election is called

1. A.franchise
2. B.recall
3. C.delegation
4. D.devolution

The principle of Rule of Law is sustained where there is

1. A.an upper chamber of parliament
2. B.high investment in educational infrastructure
3. C.a powerful police force
4. D.a judiciary protected from political pressures

Which of the following options is associated with political socialization?

1. A.Transmission of political values
2. B.Transition to civilian rule
3. C.Free choice of political party
4. D.Military takeover of power

The power of the state to conduct its domestic affairs is referred to as

1. A.popular sovereignty
2. B.institutional sovereignty
3. C.internal sovereignty
4. D.legal sovereignty

One essential feature of a republican government is that it

1. A.decentralizes power to local governments
2. B.provides adequate security for citizens
3. C.ensures popular representation
4. D.promotes economic development

A state government orders the arrest and detention of an activist. The activist is denied access to his family and lawyers. Which writ can be invoked by lawyers of the activist to compel the government to present the activist before a court of law?

1. A.Habeas corpus
2. B.Prohibition
3. C.Mandamus
4. D.Certiorari

One factor that negatively affects active participation in politics of democracies is

1. A.vibrant political parties
2. B.lack of trust in the government
3. C.established classes
4. D.activities of religious groups

Which of the following options is a distinctive feature of capitalism?

1. A.Consumer freedom
2. B.Government monopoly
3. C.One-party system
4. D.Restricted market

The government of a few wealthy people in a state is referred to as

1. A.legitimacy
2. B.aristocracy
3. C.democracy
4. D.monarchy

One advantage associated with the electoral college system is that it

1. A.is accepted internationally
2. B.promotes constitutionalism
3. C.has rigid rules
4. D.is less expensive

Which of the following outcomes best reflects the success of nationalist movements in West Africa?

1. A.Attainment of political self-government
2. B.Abolition of the trans-Atlantic slave trade
3. C.Extension of social services to rural areas
4. D.Replacement of traditional leaders with technocrats

Pressure groups employ all of the following tactics to achieve their goals, except

1. A.advocating reforms
2. B.projecting the military
3. C.conducting research
4. D.holding seminars

Public opinion is considered important in a democracy because, it

1. A.controls the negative influences of pressure groups
2. B.ensures responsiveness of government policies
3. C.allows leaders to formulate policies independently
4. D.eliminates the need to frequently conduct elections

The smallest unit in the structure of political party organization is the

1. A.local government level
2. B.ward level
3. C.state level
4. D.zonal level

Which of the following processes is a general means of acquiring citizenship across many countries?

1. A.Naturalization
2. B.Renunciation
3. C.Normalization
4. D.Emigration

A major difference between civil servants and political appointees is that, civil servants

1. A.are responsible for formulating policies while political appointees prepare budgets
2. B.are at liberty to align while political appointees exhibit impartiality
3. C.have a fixed term while political appointees are hired for life
4. D.remain at post across administrations but political appointees exit with governments

A state in which a great majority of the people shares the same culture and are conscious of it is referred to as

1. A.nationless-state
2. B.nation-state
3. C.stateless-nation
4. D.federal state.

(a) State three problems confronting the judiciary in Nigeria.
(b) Discuss four measures necessary for preventing judicial autocracy in Nigeria so as to promote Rule of Law.

(a) Explain the terms pressure group and public opinion.
(b) Examine four significant roles of pressure groups in the deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

(a) For elections to be described as credible, it must be "free and fair". As a student of Government, explain to your colleague, what constitutes: (i) free elections; (ii) fair elections
(b) Analyze four measures that can be adopted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to promote the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.

(a) Identify three functions of the Civil Service of Nigeria.
(b) Examine four means by which the Civil Service promotes accountability in the public sector.

(a) State three reasons for the establishment of public corporations in Nigeria.
(b) As a policy advisor, examine four ways by which the application of the principle of commercialization would address the problem of inefficiency of public corporations in Nigeria.

Examine five political structures of the Yoruba in the pre-colonial era that are relevant to the governance of Nigeria in the modern era.

In five developed full points, analyze the distribution of political power under the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954.

Examine five ways by which the frequent military interventions in government negatively affected the deepening of democracy in Nigeria.

Discuss five ways in which the Policy of Association promoted local participation in governance, compared to the Policy of Assimilation.

In five well-explained points, assess the importance of the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in making necessary preparations for the eventual independence of Nigeria in 1960.