Government 2018 Past Questions

Government Past Questions

 

1. The second ballot is based on the principle that a successful candidate must obtain

• A. absolute majority
• B. simple majority
• C. forty percent of the votes
• D. fifty percent of the votes 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Before the Second Ballot System is introduce in an election is when none of the candidates wins the election by absolute majority in a general election, another election would be conducted. In this final election, only the candidates with the highest votes are allowed to contest.

So the second ballot is based on the principle that a successful candidate must obtain Absolute Majority

Absolute Majority System is a system of voting in which a candidate must acquire more than half of the total vote cast before he can be declared winner.

2. The tenure of the president of the UN Security Council is

• A. one month
• B. six months
• C. two years
• D. one year 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

The Security Council is one of the organs of U.N.O and it is assumed to be the most powerful of all the organs, making up the organization. Formerly, it was made up of 5 permanent members also known as the Permanent Five, Big Five, or P5 and 6 non-permanent members, but it was enlarged in 1965, bringing 6 non-permanent members to 10, making it 15 members. The permanent members are: United States of America (USA), China, Britain, France and Russia.

The President of the United Nations Security Council is the presiding officer of that body. The President is the head of the delegation from the United Nations Security Council member state that holds the rotating presidency for a tenure of One Month. the presidency rotates monthly among the state members of the Security Council. The rotation takes place in alphabetical order of the member states' official United Nations names in English

3.Political authority is vested in the_________

• A. state
• B. judiciary
• C. government
• D. armed forces 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Political Authority is the authority conferred on a persons holding political offices, e.g the president, legislators etc. and the president, legislator and others are considered to be the Government

So Political authority is vested in the Government

4.Unicameral legislatures are popular in

• A. unitary system
• B. federal system
• B. cofederal
• D. rigid system 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

 In government, unicameralism (Latin uni, one + camera, chamber) is the practice of having one legislative or parliamentary chamber. Thus, a unicameral parliament or unicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of one chamber or house.
A unitary state is a state governed as a single power in which the central government is ultimately supreme. The central government may create administrative divisions. Such units exercise only the powers that the central government chooses to delegate. Although political power may be delegated through devolution to local governments by statute, the central government may abrogate the acts of devolved governments or curtail their powers. A large majority of the world's states have a unitary system of government and adopt a unicameral legislature (of a legislative body having a single legislative chamber.)

5.In the cabinet system of government, individual responsibility of ministers means that ____________

• A. only ministers can be held responsible for errors
• B. a minister must hold his subordinates responsible for his failures
• C. the prime ministers can remove an erring minister
• D. no individual can be held responsible for government decisions 

 Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Individual ministerial responsibility is a constitutional convention in governments using the Westminster System that a cabinet minister bears the ultimate responsibility for the actions of their ministry or department.

According to Individual Ministerial Responsibility:

• Ministers are individually responsible for the work of their departments and are answerable to Parliament for all their departments activities.

• They are expected to accept responsibility for any failure in administration, any injustice to an individual or any aspect of policy which may be criticised in parliament, whether personally or not

6. An important aspect of an unwritten constitution is that it

• A. is easy to understand to everybody
• B. safeguards the monarchy
• C. contains customary laws and conventions
• D. is not easily amended 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

An unwritten constitution refers to when the whole body of fundamental laws, customs, conventions, principles, rules and regulations according to which a particular government of a country operates are not written down or codified in a single document.

An important aspect of an unwritten constitution is that it contains customary laws and conventions

7. In 1993, Nigerian troops were on peace-keeping assignment to

• A. Liberia and Burundi
• B. Rwanda and liberia
• C. Chad and Liberia
• D. Liberia and somalia 

 Correct Answer: Option D

8. Power refers to the__________

• A. ability to impose one’s will upon others
• B. duties an individual imposes on himself
• C. legal nature of a constitution
• D. duties political parties demand of their registered members 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Power is referred to as the ability to control others by imposing ones will on others

9. The creation of more states in Nigeria has_______

• A. eliminated ethnic and religious conflicts
• B. reduced the gap between the rich and poor states
• C. increased the powers of the federal government

• D. increased the powers of the states and local government 

 Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

The creation of more states in Nigeria has eliminated ethnic and religious conflicts which used to be a bane of crises in the country, as both minor and major ethnic groups are involved.

10.An Agency of the united Nations which specializes in the welfare of children is the _______

• A. WHO
• B. UNESCO
• C. UNICEF
• D. UNDP 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

UNICEF is an agency of UNO that deals and specializes in the welfare, education and needs of children all over the world

11. A society that is politically organized under a government is called

• A. sovereign state
• B. community
• C. national state
• D. polity 

 Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

A polity is an organized society, such as a nation, city, or church, together with its government and administration

 

 

12. In the Oyo empire, the Alaafin was

• A. an absolute monarch
• B. popularly elected
• C. a constitutional monarch
• D. worshipped as a deity

Correct Answer: Option A

 

13. Nigeria broke diplomatic relations with France in 1961 because of_________

• A. her poor relations with the Francophone countries
• B. France atomic test in the sahara desert
• C. France diplomatic relations with Israel
• D. General de-Gaulle’s negative attitude towards her

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

In the realm of bilateral relations, Nigeria did not hesitate to break diplomatic ties with France in 1961 when France tested an atomic bomb in the Sahara Desert. The action was against the firm warning by Nigeria having observed that the test was going to be injurious to Nigeria and some other African countries. Thus, Nigeria imposed stern economic measures on France, first banning all ship movements of French origins from navigating the coastal areas of Nigeria.

 

 

14. In 1991, the African Economic Community Treaty was signed in

• A. Addis Ababa
• B. Abuja
• C. Lome
• D. Tripoli

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

The African Economic Community (AEC) is an organization of African Union states establishing grounds for mutual economic development among the majority of African states. The stated goals of the organization include the creation of free trade areas, customs unions, a single market, a central bank, and a common currency

In 1980, the OAU Extraordinary Summit adopted the Lagos Plan of Action as a major step towards the goal of integration.

The commitments in this Plan and the Final Act of Lagos were translated into concrete form in Abuja, Nigeria in June 1991 when the OAU Heads of State and Government signed the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (AEC) during the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly

 

 

15.Based on its objectives, the Organization of African Unity can primarily be classified as

• A. a social organization
• B. a political organization
• C. a cultural organization
• D. an economic organization

Correct Answer: Option B

 

16. The Premier of Western region immediately after Independence was ______

• A. Chief Obafemi Awolowo
• B. Chief Ladoke Akintola
• C. Chief Dr. M.A. Majelkodunmi
• D. Alhaji D.S. Adegbenro 

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

Nigeria became independent on 1 October 1960 and became a republic on 1 October 1963. On 16 January 1966 a military coup brought Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi to power, terminating the first period of democratic rule. During this period an appointed governor was nominal head of state while an elected premier led the government.

The Premier of Western region immediately after Independence was Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola

 

 

17. A typical form of delegated legislation is

• A. acts of parliaments
• B. decree
• C. bye-law
• D. gazette 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Delegated legislation may be defined as the act of transferring power and functions through the acts of parliament to other organisations such as ministers, local governments, public corporations etc. Laws made by these bodies are referred to as BYE-LAWS.

Bye-Laws are rules and regulations made by local government authorities or local councils, public corporations and other similar bodies for the smooth running of their responsibility. These bye-laws have effects only within the areas of jurisdiction of these authorities that made them.

 

 

18.A major feature of the system of government in the Sokoto Caliphate was that

• A. it was based on customs and traditions
• B. it was theocratic
• C. it was democratic
• D. power was effectively decentralized

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

Theocratic system of government is whereby a deity or religious institution is regarded as the source from which authority came from.
The Sokoto caliphate ruled with the idea of Islam, and that the sultans were regarded as the religious head

 

 

19. The goal of the theory of separation of power is to

• A. make the executive dependent on the legislative
• B. give more powers to the legislative
• C. protect individual liberty
• D. creates efficiency in the judiciary 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

When there’s separating of powers, the powers are shared equally among the arms of government; the judiciary, legislative and executive to act as checks and balances on each other, hence to protect the liberty of an individual.

 

 

20.The first executive president of Nigeria was_________

• A. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe
• B. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa
• C. General Yakubu Gowon
• D. Alhaji Shehu Shagari

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

a lot of people do not consider  Nnamdi Azikiwe to be the first Executive President of Nigeria. Instead, they argue that the true president should be elected and not appointed, thus, Shehu Shagari, who took the post in 1979, should be considered the first President of Nigeria.Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari was the first president of the federal republic of Nigeria between the years 1979 and 1983, a period known as the second republic, before his government was overthrown by the military.

 

 

21. The major difference between a state and a nation is that the latter presupposes a _______

• A. heterogeneous
• B. Homogeneous population
• C. well-defined territory
• D. more organized system

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

A nation depicts a people with common values, common people, common history and heritage.
homogeneous population is whereby a population or group of people have the same history, language etc. in a place.

 

22. The primary function of the judiciary is to ______

• A. interpret laws
• B. make laws
• C. regulate behaviour
• D. execute laws

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

The judiciary is the arm of government that interprets laws for the people to understand and obey.

 

 

23.A constitution of any country is basically___________

• A. a mere piece of paper
• B. a guide to how the country should be governed
• B. a document stating what the leaders should do
• C. a document stating how to acquire power

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established regulations according to which a state or other organization is governed

 

 

24.The highest decision-making body in Nigeria under the Buhari's military regime was the ________

• A. Armed forces ruling council
• B. Supreme military council
• C. National council of states
• D. Federal executive council 

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

Buhari became the military head of state and during his regime, he established the supreme military council which consists of the various heads of region

 

 

25.A system of government in which the central government is supreme over other levels is

• A. totalitarian
• B. confederal
• C. federal
• D. unitary

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

A unitary government is a structure of government in which all governmental powers and authority are concentrated in the hands of a single central government. In this respect, power are not shared with other body but can delegate powers to other subordinate bodies.

 

26. The main source of local government finance since the 1976 reform has been___________

• A. local rates
• B. levies
• C. revenue from court fines and licences
• D. the federal government

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

The federal government has been a major source of local government finance through allocations.

 

 

27. Nigeria is a member of____________

• A. OPEC, NATO and ECOWAS
• B. OAU, the UNO and ECOWAS
• C. ECOWAS, NATO and OAU
• D. The Commonwealth of Nations, OPEC and the OAS

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

OAU, UNO and ECOWAS are international organizations in which Nigeria is a member both regionally and globally.

 

 

28.In the old OYO empire, the Ajele

• A. mobilized the army
• B. ensured good governance of the district
• C. was the head of the army
• D. ensured the safety of the trade routes 

Correct Answer: Option B

29.A bye-law is made by

• A. parliament
• B. congress
• C. an electoral college
• D. the local government

Correct Answer: Option D

 

30. A human community that is usually cohesive and homogeneous is a

• A. clan
• B. state
• C. nation
• D. kingship

Correct Answer: Option C

 

31.A human community that is usually cohesive and homogeneous is a

• A. clan
• B. state
• C. nation
• D. kingship

Correct Answer: Option C

 

32. A true democracy in the modern sense exists where the

• A. elite rules
• B. elected representatives rule
• C. majority of the people vote
• D. majority of the people rule

Correct Answer: Option B

 

33. A state that is ruled by an elected citizen is

• A. an empire
• B. a monarchy
• C. a republic
• D. a plutocracy

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

A republic is a state that is ruled by an elected citizen into power to represent the people.

 

 

34. Political socialization is associated with

• A. free choice of party programmes
• B. military takeover of civilian government
• C. the transmission of political values
• D. political transition

Correct Answer: Option C

 

35.OPEC has strong influence with the__________

• A. IMF
• B. EU
• C. ADB
• D. AU

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

OPEC is an economic body formed to meet the interests of petroleum exporting countries in which African nation states are involved and easily influenced by its policies as they are regarded as third world countries

 

 

36. The development of a classless society is the goal of __________

• A. liberalism
• B. maxism
• C. conservatism
• D. feudalism

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

The social and political ideology that aims to eliminate class and enhance communism, founded by Karl Marx.

 

 

37. In the old OYO empire, the Ajele

• A. was the head of the army
• B. ensured the safety of all trade routes
• C. ensured good governance of the districts
• D. mobilized the army  

Correct Answer: Option C

 

38.Rhodesia was the former name of

• A. Zambia
• B. Namibia
• C. Zimbabwe
• D. Swaziland

Correct Answer: Option C

 

39.The Yoruba traditional system of government was

• A. monarchical
• B. egalitarian
• C. republican
• D. democratic

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Monarchical system of government is whereby a king or monarch rules with undivided authority

 

 

40.Citizenship of a state by descent requires that______

• A. one is born and bred in the state
• B. one’s mother was born in the state
• C. one’s grand parents were citizens of that state
• D. one is domiciled in that state 

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Citizenship by descent is when a person’s family lineage lived or stayed in such an area.

 

 

41.The institutions which constitute the main organs of the government of a nation are the___________

• A. trustee and the presidium
• B. judiciary and the civil service
• C. legislature, the executive and the judiciary
• D. civil service and the senate

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

The legislature, executive and judiciary make up the arms of governmet

 

 

42.One major achievement of the Clifford constitution was_________

• A. creating a Northern majority in the legislative council
• B. introducing indirect rule
• C. amalgamating the Northern and Southern provinces
• D. establishing the legislative council

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

The Clifford constitution introduced new legislative and executive councils

 

 

43.The British government revoked the charter of the Royal Niger Company and took over the administration of Nigeria in which year?

• A. 1861
• B. 1900
• C. 1886
• D. 1914 

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

In the year 1900, the British government took over the administration of Nigeria from the Royal Niger Company.

 

44.The fundamental rights of citizens include rights to___________

• A. free education, employment and freedom of thought
• B. life, speech and association
• C. life, liberty and property
• D. association, property and social security

Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation

Right to life, right to freedom of speech, and right of association are basic fundamental rights of citizens.

 

 

45.Which of the following is a founding member of OPEC?

• A. Nigeria
• B. Indonesia
• C. Venezuela
• D. Algeria

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Venezuela is one of the nation states that founded OPEC in 1960

 

46. A major feature of the pre-colonial Igbo political system was that___________

• A. it was autocratic
• B. it was based on customs and traditions
• C. it was theocratic
• D. power was effectively decentralized

Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation

The Igbo political system of the pre-colonial era was democratic and power was decentralized in which everyone is involved in decision making.

 

 

47. Which of the following spearheaded the transformation of the Organization of African Unity into the African Union?

• A. Thabo Mbeki
• B. Kwame Nkrumah
• C. Herbert Macaulay
• D. Uhuru Kenyatta 

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

Thabo Mbeki of South Africa was the leader of the defunct OAU who spearheaded the transformation of OAU to AU.

 

 

48.All of the following are examples of public corporation in Nigeria EXCEPT?

• A. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board
• B. Nigerian Steel Development Authority
• C. Zenith Bank plc
• D. Nigeria Railway Corporation

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Public corporations are governmental bodies or organizations set up for the interests of the public without gain or profits.
zenith bank plc. is a private corporation because it is owned by an individual for profits

 

 

49.The role of an Alkali under the Hausa-Fulani political system is primarily to _____________

• A. adjudicate under Islamic laws
• B. make Islamic laws
• C. execute Islamic laws
• D. make treaties under Islamic laws

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

The Alkali is an executioner of laws made by the emir in the Hausa Fulani political system for the people. He is to make sure that the Islamic laws are obeyed and executed at the local levels and districts.
The Alkali is tasked with executing the Islamic laws made by the emir at local levels

 

50.Capitalism is an economic system which emphasizes_______________

• A. Communism
• B. Collectivism
• C. Individualism
• D. Internationalism

Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation

Individualism is the concept of self-reliance in oneself in achieving and acquiring profit and resources.