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Free JAMB Past Question for government

Q.1

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.2

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.3

When a vote of no confidence is passed in a parliamentary system of government, it leads to the resignation of

A. The entire cabinet

B. The prime minister

C. An individual minister

D. The entire parliament

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

In a parliamentary system, a vote of no confidence (or censure motion) indicates that the legislature no longer has confidence in the executive. If such a vote passes, it typically leads to the resignation of the entire cabinet (including the Prime Minister), or it may trigger a general election.

Q.4

Which of the following pre-colonial political systems was characterized by a decentralized, segmentary structure with no single ruler, but with authority vested in a council of elders or a lineage system?

A) Yoruba

B) Hausa-Fulani

C) Igbo

D) Tiv


Correct Answer: option c

Further reading: Pre-colonial Polities

Show explanation

The Igbo political system was a classic example of a decentralized, acephalous society. Unlike the centralized systems of the Yoruba and Hausa, the Igbo political structure was based on lineages, age-grades, and other autonomous social units, with no single, overarching ruler.

Q.5

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.

  1. Sovereignty (B) is the supreme power or authority within a territory. While related, authority specifically speaks to the legal right to exercise power.
  2. Coercion (C) is the use of force, and influence
  3. (D) is the capacity to have an effect on the character or behavior of someone or something, without necessarily having legal right.

Q.6

Which of the following best describes totalitarianism?

A. Extreme decentralization

B. Devolution of power

C. Excessive centralization

D. Delegation of power

Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks to control virtually all aspects of public and private life. This is characterized by an excessive centralization of power in the hands of a single dictator or a small ruling elite, with minimal individual freedom and widespread state control.

Q.7

The head of government under the 1979 Constitution is the

A. Senate President

B. Speaker House of Representatives

C. Prime Minister

D. President


Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The 1979 Constitution of Nigeria introduced a presidential system of government. The President is both the Head of State and Head of Government.

Q.8

An example of a country ruled by a constitutional monarch is

A. Libya

B. Italy

C. Morocco

D. Uganda

Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Morocco is a country ruled by a constitutional monarch (King Mohammed VI). A constitutional monarchy is a system where a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten constitution. Libya, Italy, and Uganda are republics.

Q.9

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.10

The needs of the citizens are made known to the government through

A. judiciary

B. civil service

C. political party

D. public opinion

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

Public opinion, expressed through various channels such as media, surveys, protests, and general sentiment, is a key way that the needs, desires, and preferences of citizens are communicated to the government.

  1. The judiciary (A) interprets laws.
  2. Civil service (B) implements policies.
  3. Political parties (C) aggregate interests but public opinion is the broader mechanism.

Q.11

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.

  1. Creation of unemployment (C) is also a frequent criticism as private companies often streamline operations.
  2. Inefficient service delivery (D) is typically a demerit of public corporations, which privatization aims to address.


Q.12

The ultimate aim of political parties is to

A. increase the political awareness of electorate

B. formulate and implement policies

C. implement people-oriented programmes

D. acquire and exercise power

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

While political parties may engage in increasing political awareness (A), formulating policies (B), and implementing programs (C) if they are in government, their fundamental and ultimate aim is to acquire and exercise political power (i.e., win elections and govern) in order to implement their agenda.

Q.13

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.

Q.14

In a democratic political system, the political sovereign is usually the

A. electorate

B. legislature

C. constitution

D. political parties

Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

In a democratic political system, the electorate (the body of qualified voters) is considered the ultimate source of political power and authority. Through elections, they delegate power to their representatives, making them the political sovereign.

The constitution (C) is the legal sovereign, representing the supreme law.

Q.15

A system of government in which individual rules with absolute power is

A. Autocracy

B. Theocracy

C. Democracy

D. Aristocracy


Correct Answer: option a

Show explanation

An autocracy is a system of government where one person holds absolute power.

  1. Theocracy (B) is a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god.
  2. Democracy (C) is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
  3. Aristocracy (D) is a form of government in which power is held by the nobility.


Q.16

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.17

The sources of international laws come from

A. Domestic and treaties

B. International law and treaties

C. Local courts and international courts

D. Customs, treaties, codified by authoritative bodies. courts and universal jurisdiction

Correct Answer: option d

Show explanation

The primary sources of international law, as recognized by the Statute of the International Court of Justice, include:

  1. International conventions (treaties), whether general or particular.
  2. International custom, as evidence of a general practice accepted as law.
  3. The general principles of law recognized by civilized nations.

Judicial decisions (courts) and the teachings of the most highly qualified publicists of the various nations, as subsidiary means for the determination of rules of law. Option D provides the most comprehensive and accurate list, including customs, treaties (codified by authoritative bodies), and the role of courts (and the concept of universal jurisdiction).

Q.18

One important agent of political socialization is the

A. political party structure

B. party constitution

C. political party

D. electoral college


Correct Answer: option c

Show explanation

Political socialization is the process by which individuals acquire political attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors.

Political parties play a significant role as agents of socialization by articulating ideologies, mobilizing citizens, and shaping political discourse. Other agents include family, schools, media, and peer groups.


Q.19

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.20

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.

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