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Free JAMB Past Question for government
Q.1Independence of the judiciary connotes that
A. Judges must be free from any influence
B. Judges must be allowed to participate in politics
C. Court judges are free to administer oaths of office
D. Judiciary must not be involved in law making
Independence of the judiciary connotes that
A. Judges must be free from any influence
B. Judges must be allowed to participate in politics
C. Court judges are free to administer oaths of office
D. Judiciary must not be involved in law making
Correct Answer: option a
Show explanation
The independence of the judiciary is a cornerstone of democratic governance. It means that judges and the judicial system are impartial and free from improper influence from other branches of government (executive and legislature), political parties, or private interests, allowing them to make decisions based solely on law and fact. Judges participating in politics (B) would compromise this.
Q.2The Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946 was significant because it:
A) Introduced universal adult suffrage for all citizens.
B) Created the first Nigerian legislative council.
C) Introduced regionalism in Nigeria, dividing the country into three regions.
D) Granted full independence to Nigeria.
The Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946 was significant because it:
A) Introduced universal adult suffrage for all citizens.
B) Created the first Nigerian legislative council.
C) Introduced regionalism in Nigeria, dividing the country into three regions.
D) Granted full independence to Nigeria.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Constitutional Development in Nigeria
Show explanation
The Richards Constitution of 1946 was the first to introduce the principle of regionalism to Nigeria, dividing the country into three regions (North, East, and West) and establishing regional assemblies. This was a crucial step in Nigeria's journey towards a federal system.
Q.3One of the major sources of a constitution is
A. party system
B. conventions
C. political structure
D. political party
One of the major sources of a constitution is
A. party system
B. conventions
C. political structure
D. political party
Correct Answer: option b
Show explanation
While a constitution is often seen as a single document, many countries (like the UK) also rely on conventions, which are unwritten rules, customs, and practices that guide political behavior and are considered binding, even if not legally enforceable in the same way as written law. Party systems (A, D) and political structures (C) are results or aspects of a constitution, not sources of it.
Q.4Nation-state is synonymous with
A. liberation
B. sovereignty
C. nationalism
D. self-actualization
Nation-state is synonymous with
A. liberation
B. sovereignty
C. nationalism
D. self-actualization
Correct Answer: option c
Show explanation
A nation-state is a political unit where the state and the nation (a group of people united by common descent, language, culture, or history) are in agreement or harmony. The concept is strongly associated with nationalism, which is the ideology promoting the interests of a particular nation.
Q.5The central point of capitalism as expounded by Karl Marx is that
A. Capitalist should always readily consent to workers welfare demands
B. Capitalist profits the surplus value obtained from worker's labour
C. Workers are inherently incapable of being owners of their labour
D. Capitalist shall always increase workers earning capacity through wages
The central point of capitalism as expounded by Karl Marx is that
A. Capitalist should always readily consent to workers welfare demands
B. Capitalist profits the surplus value obtained from worker's labour
C. Workers are inherently incapable of being owners of their labour
D. Capitalist shall always increase workers earning capacity through wages
Correct Answer: option b
Show explanation
Karl Marx's critique of capitalism centrally revolves around the concept of surplus value. He argued that capitalists pay workers only enough for their subsistence (wages) but extract more value from their labor than what they pay, and this "surplus value" is the source of capitalist profit, which he viewed as exploitation.
Q.6Successive population figures have been contested in Nigeria because of
A. gender consideration
B. geographical disparity
C. religious consideration
D. political consideration
Successive population figures have been contested in Nigeria because of
A. gender consideration
B. geographical disparity
C. religious consideration
D. political consideration
Correct Answer: option d
Show explanation
Population census figures in Nigeria have historically been highly contentious and politicized. Different regions and ethnic groups often believe that census figures are manipulated for political consideration, as population size directly impacts political representation (electoral districts) and resource allocation from the federal government.
Q.7The relationship between two states within the international system is referred to as
A. trilateralism
B. bilateralism
C. multilateralism
D. unilateralism
The relationship between two states within the international system is referred to as
A. trilateralism
B. bilateralism
C. multilateralism
D. unilateralism
Correct Answer: option b
Show explanation
- Bilateralism refers to relations or agreements between two states.
- Trilateralism (A) involves three states.
- Multilateralism (C) involves three or more states.
- Unilateralism (D) is a policy of acting alone, without consulting or cooperating with other states.
Q.8The First Commanding Officer of the 3rd Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) was
A. Col. Olusegun Obasanjo
B. Col. Murtala Mohammed
C. Col. Mamann
D. Col. Benjamin Adekunle
The First Commanding Officer of the 3rd Marine Commando Division during the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970) was
A. Col. Olusegun Obasanjo
B. Col. Murtala Mohammed
C. Col. Mamann
D. Col. Benjamin Adekunle
Correct Answer: option d
Show explanation
During the Nigerian Civil War, Colonel Benjamin Adekunle, often referred to as "Black Scorpion," was the first and prominent commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Commando Division of the Nigerian Army.
Q.9What is a common problem associated with public corporations and parastatals in Nigeria?
A) Excessive political control and interference.
B) High levels of efficiency and profitability.
C) A complete lack of public funding.
D) Their non-profit orientation.
What is a common problem associated with public corporations and parastatals in Nigeria?
A) Excessive political control and interference.
B) High levels of efficiency and profitability.
C) A complete lack of public funding.
D) Their non-profit orientation.
Correct Answer: option a
Further reading: Public Corporations and Parastatals
Show explanation
Public corporations in Nigeria often face significant challenges due to excessive political interference, which can lead to inefficiency, mismanagement, and a lack of accountability
Q.10Ensuring that appointments into federal establishments in Nigeria reflect geographical spread is the sole function of the
A. Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission
B. Civil Service Commission
C. Federal Character Commission
D. Public Complaint Commission
Ensuring that appointments into federal establishments in Nigeria reflect geographical spread is the sole function of the
A. Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission
B. Civil Service Commission
C. Federal Character Commission
D. Public Complaint Commission
Correct Answer: option c
Show explanation
The Federal Character Commission (FCC) is specifically mandated to promote and enforce the "federal character" principle in public service appointments. This principle aims to ensure that appointments and promotions reflect the diversity of Nigeria's ethnic and geographical composition, preventing the dominance of any single ethnic group or region.
Q.11What is a key ingredient of a free and fair election?
A) The complete absence of political parties.
B) A single-party system.
C) An independent electoral commission.
D) A mandatory indirect electoral system.
What is a key ingredient of a free and fair election?
A) The complete absence of political parties.
B) A single-party system.
C) An independent electoral commission.
D) A mandatory indirect electoral system.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: The Electoral Process
Show explanation
An independent electoral commission is a crucial ingredient for a free and fair election. Its independence ensures that the electoral process is conducted without bias and that the results are credible and widely accepted.
Q.12The legal right to exercise power in a state is referred to as
A. authority
B. sovereignty
C. coercion
D. influence
The legal right to exercise power in a state is referred to as
A. authority
B. sovereignty
C. coercion
D. influence
Correct Answer: option a
Show explanation
Authority is the legitimate right to exercise power, meaning the power is seen as valid and justified by those subject to it.
- Sovereignty (B) is the supreme power or authority within a territory. While related, authority specifically speaks to the legal right to exercise power.
- Coercion (C) is the use of force, and influence
- (D) is the capacity to have an effect on the character or behavior of someone or something, without necessarily having legal right.
Q.13A political party's primary function in a democracy is to:
A) Form pressure groups to influence government policy.
B) Select and put forward candidates to contest elections.
C) Run the day-to-day administration of the civil service.
D) Interpret the constitution in cases of dispute.
A political party's primary function in a democracy is to:
A) Form pressure groups to influence government policy.
B) Select and put forward candidates to contest elections.
C) Run the day-to-day administration of the civil service.
D) Interpret the constitution in cases of dispute.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: Political Parties and Party Systems
Show explanation
One of the most important functions of a political party is to mobilize support and nominate candidates to contest for political offices. This is a fundamental aspect of democratic politics.
Q.14Nigeria's policy of non-alignment during the Cold War meant that the country:
A) Was a member of the Eastern Bloc.
B) Supported the Western Bloc.
C) Refused to align with either the Western or Eastern power blocs.
D) Had no diplomatic relations with any country.
Nigeria's policy of non-alignment during the Cold War meant that the country:
A) Was a member of the Eastern Bloc.
B) Supported the Western Bloc.
C) Refused to align with either the Western or Eastern power blocs.
D) Had no diplomatic relations with any country.
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Nigeria's Foreign Policy
Show explanation
Nigeria's non-alignment policy was a deliberate foreign policy stance during the Cold War where the country chose not to formally align with either the capitalist Western Bloc led by the USA or the communist Eastern Bloc led by the Soviet Union
Q.15The French colonial policy that aimed to transform African subjects into French citizens by absorbing them into French culture was known as:
A) Indirect Rule
B) Association
C) Assimilation
D) Crown Colony
The French colonial policy that aimed to transform African subjects into French citizens by absorbing them into French culture was known as:
A) Indirect Rule
B) Association
C) Assimilation
D) Crown Colony
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Imperialist Penetration
Show explanation
The French policy of assimilation aimed to turn the colonized people into French citizens by having them adopt French language, culture, and laws. This was in stark contrast to the British policy of Indirect Rule
Q.16A structure of government in which power is shared between the center and the units is
A. con-federal
B. unitary
C. federalism
D. oligarchic
A structure of government in which power is shared between the center and the units is
A. con-federal
B. unitary
C. federalism
D. oligarchic
Correct Answer: option c
Show explanation
Federalism is a system of government in which power is constitutionally divided between a central (federal) government and constituent political units (like states or provinces).
- Unitary (B) systems centralize power.
- Con-federal (A) systems have weak central governments and strong, independent units.
- Oligarchic (D) refers to rule by a small group.
Q.17Nigeria's federation is
A. Two tier system
B. One tier system
C. Four tier system
D. Three tier system
Nigeria's federation is
A. Two tier system
B. One tier system
C. Four tier system
D. Three tier system
Correct Answer: option d
Show explanation
Nigeria operates a three-tier federal system of government: the Federal Government (central), the State Governments, and the Local Governments.
Q.18One of the demerits of the privatization of public corporations in Nigeria is
A. scarcity of goods and services
B. higher cost of goods and services
C. creation of unemployment
D. inefficient service delivery
One of the demerits of the privatization of public corporations in Nigeria is
A. scarcity of goods and services
B. higher cost of goods and services
C. creation of unemployment
D. inefficient service delivery
Correct Answer: option b
Show explanation
While privatization aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs in the long run, a common immediate demerit, especially in the Nigerian context, has been the higher cost of goods and services for consumers as privatized entities seek to maximize profits and may face less regulation than public corporations.
- Creation of unemployment (C) is also a frequent criticism as private companies often streamline operations.
- Inefficient service delivery (D) is typically a demerit of public corporations, which privatization aims to address.
Q.19A key reason for the adoption of a federal system in Nigeria was to:
A) Concentrate power in the central government.
B) Promote ethnic and religious unity by granting autonomy to diverse groups.
C) Create a one-party state.
D) Ensure a uniform system of law across the country.
A key reason for the adoption of a federal system in Nigeria was to:
A) Concentrate power in the central government.
B) Promote ethnic and religious unity by granting autonomy to diverse groups.
C) Create a one-party state.
D) Ensure a uniform system of law across the country.
Correct Answer: option b
Further reading: The Structure and Workings of Nigerian Federalism
Show explanation
Nigeria is a country with a large and diverse population. The rationale for adopting a federal system was to accommodate the country's ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity by allowing different groups to have some level of autonomy and self-governance
Q.20Which nationalist leader is often referred to as the 'father of Nigerian nationalism' for his early political activism?
A) Nnamdi Azikiwe
B) Obafemi Awolowo
C) Herbert Macaulay
D) Ahmadu Bello
Which nationalist leader is often referred to as the 'father of Nigerian nationalism' for his early political activism?
A) Nnamdi Azikiwe
B) Obafemi Awolowo
C) Herbert Macaulay
D) Ahmadu Bello
Correct Answer: option c
Further reading: Process of Decolonization
Show explanation
Herbert Macaulay is widely regarded as the founding father of Nigerian nationalism. He established the first political party in Nigeria, the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), in 1923, and was a prominent critic of British colonial rule.