Government 2017 Past Questions | WAEC

Study the following Government past questions and answers for JAMB, WAEC NECO and Post-JAMB. Get prepared with official past questions and answers for upcoming examinations.

Government 2017 Theory

1. a. what is a legitimate government

b. Outline any four features of legitimacy

Solution & Explanation:

a A legitimate government is one which is acceptable to the people either because it has been lawfully established or through its performance over a period of time.

b(i). Legality: Government comes to power through lawful means

(ii). Acceptability: It is a government that is acceptable by the people

(iii). Recognition: It should be recognised both internally and externally

(iv). Popularity: It should be able to receive popular support from the people

(v). Accountability & Transparency/ good governance: it should be able to be accountable and open in all its activities

(vi). Satisfaction of the needs of the people

(vii). Periodic free and fair elections: it should be able to conduct free and fair elections

(viii). Constitutionalism: It should adhere to the provisions of the constitution

(ix). Mechanism to check arbitrariness, impartial judicial system e.g Ombudsman, vibrant civil soci-ety organisations etc.

(x). Responsiveness to the people’s views and opinions

(xi). Respect for rules and regulations, customs and traditions

(xii). Respect for fundamental human right

(xiii). Existence of rule of law

(xiv). Existence of free press

2. (a) What are rights?

(b) Highlight four limitations on the rights of a citizen

Solution & Explanation:

a. Rights are legal entitlements that citizens of a state enjoy

b. i. Legal limitations e.g. libel, slander, sedition etc
(ii). Declaration of a state of emergency

(iii). Public servant under oath of secrecy have no right to release official information

(iv). Remand/imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(v). Restriction for health reasons e.g outbreak of contagious diseases

(vi). Violation of the rights of others

(vii). Illiteracy, poverty and ignorance

(viii). For the purpose of maintaining state security/Restricted areas

(ix). Insanity-lunatics are confined

(x). Acquisition of individual’s property by the state for public use

(xi). Negative traditional practices can limit the right of the individual

(xii). The nature and system of government e.g Military

xiii. Economic and social conditions may limit the enjoyment of rights

3. (a) Differentiate between a de jure and de-facto one-party system

(b) Outline four advantages of a multi-party system

Solution & Explanation:

De-jure: only one party is legally and official recognized in the state while in defactor other parties may exist but only one party dominates the political scene

b. i. It is democratic because the people have the freedom to join any party of their choice

(ii). There is room for opposition which guarantees good governance

(iii). It checks arbitrary use of power

(iv). The electorate has a wide range of choosing leaders/policies or programmes

(v). It enhances wider political education

(vi). It ensures political accountability and transparency

(vii). It caters for the interest of the minority

(viii). Encourages healthy competition among the various political parties

4. (a) What is a simple majority system?

(b) Outline four demerits of the system

Solution & Explanation:

a. This is an electoral system in which the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner in an election

b. i. Sometimes it works against the wishes of the majority of the voters

ii. Smaller parties have little chance of winning election.

iii. The system does not reflect clearly the strength of the political parties.

iv. It is undemocratic because the combined votes of losers may exceed that of the winner

v. It gives a wrong impression about the popular-ity and legiimacy of the winner

vi. It promotes ethnicity in national politics

vii. It may encourage the election of mediocre candidates

viii. It is easier,to Manipulate/rig elections conducted under this system

ix. It gives room for gerrymandering

5. Identify five ways which the central government can improve upon local government system in West Africa.

Solution & Explanation:

i. Increasing central government grants to local authorities for developmental projects

ii. The ministry of Local Government should evolve action plan for local authorities to generate revenue internally

iii. Minimizing central government interference and partisanship in local government administration

iv. Improvement of service conditions of local government workers in order to attract highly skilled personnel

v. Providing funds to organize refresher courses and in-service training for workers

vi. Effective internal and external auditing of ac-counts

vii. Effective ministerial control to avoid misappropriation and misapplication as well as misallocation
of funds
viii. Provision of adequate logistics for local authorities e.g. vehicles, furniture and computer facilities

ix. Assembly/Council members should be democratically elected to serve the interest of the people

x. Transparent appointment of local government administrators

6. Functions performed by the Ogboni Secret Society in the pre-colonial Yoruba political system

Solution & Explanation:

i. Policy making: It was involved in the policy making process

ii. Religious function: It served as an intermediary between the people and their ancestors

iii. It approved decisions of the paramount ruler and his advisers

iv. Maintenance of law and order: It maintained law and order

v. Checks and balances: It checked the arbitrary use of powers by the ruler

vi. Protection: It provided protection for its members and the people

vii. It preserved the cultural values and heritage of the people

viii. It served as a final court of appeal in both civil and criminal cases

ix. It served as an agent of political education for the people

7. (a) What is a crown colony?

(b) Highlight four functions of the Secretary of State for the colony under the British colonial system.

Solution & Explanation:

(a) A crown colony is a territory acquired by the British monarch through settlement, cession, conquest or purchase

(b) i. Advising the colonial government on the appointment of governors

ii. Formulation of policies and programmes for the colony subject to British parliament approval

iii. Advising governors on formulation of policies in their respective colonies

iv. Supervision of the colonies

v. Approval of budget prepared by the governor

vi. Receiving delegation/petitions from the colonies

vii. Setting up.commission of enquiry into issues affecting the colonies

viii. Promotion, transfer and dismissal of governors

ix. Approving draft constitutions prepared by the governors

x. Controlling governor’s veto and certification powers

xi. Submitting annual report about the colony to the British parliament

xii. Approved all major projects to be undertaken in the colonies

xiii. Issued orders and instructions to the Governors on British colonial policies.

8. Highlight five contributions of Herbert Macaulay to the political development of Nigeria.

Solution & Explanation:

i. He championed the cause of the chiefs and people of Lagos against the Lagos High Court over land ownership

ii. Supported labour unions to organise strikes and rallies and fight for their rights

iii. He was the first to establish political party in Nigeria-the Nigeria National Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1922

iv. He was the first National president of National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC)

v. He was the father of all the Nigerian nationalist leaders. He was a rallying point for nationalists.

vi. He was instrumental to the establishment of Nigerian wing of National Council of British West Africa (NCBWA)

vii. He founded the Lagos Daily Newspaper

viii. He led a protest against the 1946 Richards Constitution

ix. He represented Nigeria in various constitutional conferences

x. He led his party, NNDP to win elections in the Lagos Municipal Council between 1923-38

9. (a) What is foreign policy?

(b) State four factors that influence Nigeria’s foreign policy.

Solution & Explanation:

(a) A country’s foreign policy, also called foreign relations or foreign affairs policy, consists of self-interest strategies chosen by the state to safeguard its national interests and to achieve goals within its international relations milieu. The approaches are strategically employed to interact with other countries.

Foreign policy is the principles, guidelines and strategy adopted by a country in conducting her relationship with other states while pursuing her national interest.

(b)i. Africa centred: Africa is regarded as the centre-piece of Nigerian foreign policy

ii. Historical/Colonial background and experience

iii. Types of government e.g. military or democratic government

iv. Population: large size and the quality of human resources of Nigeria affect her foreign policy

v Ideological disposition of the leaders: Nigeria relates more with those countries that share similar ideologies

vi. The economic resources available to Nigeria e.g mineral resources and agricultural products

vii. Commitment to international laws, treaties and conventions

viii. Public opinion on issues can bring changes in government’s foreign policy

ix. The industrial strength of Nigeria influences her choice of trading partners

x. Membership and commitment to international organisations

xi. The military strength of Nigeria e.g. the size and quality of the army influence her foreign policy

xii. The activities of interest/pressure groups influence Nigeria’s foreign policy

xiii. Geographical location influences Nigeria’s foreign policy

xiv. The desire for foreign investments and overseas market

10. Outline any five contribution of Nigeria towards the growth of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Solution Explanation:

i. Nigeria played an active role in the information of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as well as being an initial signatory to the Lagos Treaty

ii. Provision of high profile personnel for the ECOWAS Secretariat/agencies since its inception

iii. Nigeria Heads of State had served as chairman of ECOWAS

iv. Nigeria has played major roles in peace-keeping operations in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Coted’lvoire

v. Nigeria regularly attends all ECOWAS summits.

vi. Nigeria contributes to the development of ECOWAS by hosting summits and conferences

vii. Nigeria makes available petroleum products to other ECOWAS countries in need

viii. Membership of ECOWAS Parliament makes Nigeria to contribute to sub-regional issues

ix. Financial contribution: Nigeria pays her dues regularly to both the Secretariat and the ECOWAS Fund

x. Actively participates in ECOWAS sponsored activities like trade fair, sports etc

xi. Gives humanitarian assistance to citizens of ECOWAS countries who have been displaced as a result of war

xii. Implementation of ECOWAS protocols e.g the protocol in democracy and good governance, protocol on the fight against corruption etc

xiii. Nigeria has joined other ECOWAS countries in undertaking key projects e.g West African Gas Pipeline

xiv. Nigeria has allowed free movement of ECOWAS citizens, goods and services

xv. Sending officials to monitor elections in member states.

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Government 2017 Past Questions | WAEC

Government 2017 Theory

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution & Explanation:

Solution Explanation:

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