GOVERNMENT — Past Questions and Answers
Q1(a). Define the State. [5 Marks]
Q1(b). Explain five characteristics of a State. [10 Marks]
Q2(a). What is the African Union (AU)? [5 Marks]
Q2(b). Discuss five objectives of the African Union. [10 Marks]
Q3. Discuss five reasons for the formation of the Action Group (AG) party in Nigeria. [15 Marks]
Q4(a). What is Federalism? [5 Marks]
Q4(b). Explain five characteristics of a federal system of government. [10 Marks]
Q5(a). Define Constitution. [3 Marks]
Q5(b). Explain four sources of the Nigerian Constitution. [12 Marks]
Q6(a). What is Diplomacy? [5 Marks]
Q6(b). Discuss five functions of diplomacy in international relations. [10 Marks]
Q7. Discuss five differences between the Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government. [15 Marks]
Q8(a). What is a Pressure Group? [5 Marks]
Q8(b). Discuss five functions of pressure groups in a democracy. [10 Marks]
ANSWERS
Q1(a) — The State
A state is a politically organised body of people occupying a defined territory, governed by a sovereign authority that has the power to make and enforce laws over everyone within that territory. It is distinguished from a mere society or community by its possession of sovereignty, an organised government, and the legal authority to compel obedience. The state is permanent, existing independently of whoever happens to hold political office at a given time.
Q1(b) — Five Characteristics of a State
i. Defined Territory
A state must possess a geographically demarcated area over which it exercises exclusive authority. Without recognised boundaries, a political community cannot function as a state, since territory provides the physical basis for the exercise of sovereign power and the application of laws.
ii. Population
A state must have a permanent population of people who reside within its territory and over whom it exercises authority. The size of the population may vary widely between states, but its existence is indispensable, since a state without people to govern is inconceivable.
iii. Sovereignty
A state possesses supreme authority to govern itself, both internally over its own affairs and externally in its relations with other states. This sovereignty is what distinguishes a state from a mere province, colony, or dependent territory that remains subject to an external authority.
iv. Government
Every state requires an organised system of institutions and officials responsible for making, implementing, and enforcing laws and policies. Government provides the mechanism through which the abstract authority of the state is translated into concrete decisions affecting the population.
v. Recognition
A state must be recognised, at least by some other states, as a legitimate member of the international community capable of entering treaties and diplomatic relations. Recognition confirms a state’s international legal personality and allows it to participate as an equal in global affairs.
Q2(a) — The African Union (AU)
The African Union is a continental union established in 2002, replacing the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), and comprising the fifty-five member states of the African continent. It was created to promote unity, solidarity, and cooperation among African states, accelerate political and socio-economic integration, and defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of member states. Its headquarters are in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Q2(b) — Five Objectives of the African Union
i. Promotion of Unity and Solidarity Among African States
The AU seeks to strengthen the bonds of unity and solidarity among African states and peoples, building on the Pan-African vision of a united and integrated continent capable of acting collectively on issues affecting Africa as a whole.
ii. Defence of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity
The AU is committed to protecting the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political independence of its member states against external aggression or interference, reinforcing the principle that African states should resolve their own affairs free from outside domination.
iii. Acceleration of Political and Socio-Economic Integration
The AU works to deepen economic and political integration across the continent, promoting common markets, harmonised policies, and shared institutions that allow African states to pursue development more effectively as a unified bloc rather than in isolation.
iv. Promotion of Peace, Security, and Stability
Through bodies such as the Peace and Security Council, the AU works to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts on the continent, deploying peace support operations and mediating disputes to reduce the instability that has historically undermined African development.
v. Promotion of Democratic Principles and Good Governance
The AU advocates for democratic institutions, popular participation, and good governance across member states, condemning unconstitutional changes of government and encouraging adherence to the rule of law, human rights, and free elections.
Q3 — Five Reasons for the Formation of the Action Group (AG)
i. To Provide Political Representation for the Western Region
The Action Group, founded in 1951 under the leadership of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, emerged primarily to give the Western Region a strong, organised political voice during the period of constitutional development that was reshaping Nigeria’s regional structure.
ii. To Compete with the NCNC for Political Influence
The AG was formed partly in response to the growing influence of the NCNC, which the Yoruba political elite felt did not adequately represent Western regional interests. The AG sought to establish an independent platform through which the West could pursue its own political agenda.
iii. To Promote the Socio-Cultural Interests of the Yoruba People
Emerging from the cultural organisation Egbe Omo Oduduwa, the AG sought to promote and protect the cultural identity, language, and socio-economic interests of the Yoruba-speaking peoples of Western Nigeria within the wider Nigerian federation.
iv. To Advocate for Self-Government and Independence
Like other major parties of the era, the AG was committed to ending British colonial rule and securing Nigeria’s independence, participating actively in constitutional conferences and pressing for an accelerated timetable for self-government.
v. To Champion Free Education and Social Welfare Policies
The AG distinguished itself through its strong advocacy for the expansion of free education and social welfare programmes, most notably implementing the Free Primary Education scheme in the Western Region in 1955, which became one of its most celebrated achievements.
Q4(a) — Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which political power is constitutionally divided between a central (federal) government and a number of regional or state governments, each possessing a measure of autonomy and authority over specified matters within its own sphere. Neither level of government derives its powers from the other; both draw their authority directly from the constitution.
Q4(b) — Five Characteristics of a Federal System
i. Division of Powers
Power is constitutionally distributed between the central government and the constituent states, with each level having exclusive jurisdiction over specified matters, such as defence and foreign affairs at the federal level and local administration at the state level.
ii. Supremacy of the Constitution
The constitution is the supreme law that defines and limits the powers of both levels of government. Neither the federal nor the state governments can unilaterally alter this division of powers without following the constitutionally prescribed amendment procedure.
iii. Existence of Two or More Levels of Government
A federal system necessarily comprises at least two distinct levels of government — federal and state — each with its own institutions, officials, and areas of competence, operating simultaneously within the same territory.
iv. An Independent Judiciary
A federal system requires an impartial judiciary, typically headed by a supreme or constitutional court, to interpret the constitution and adjudicate disputes between the federal government and the states, or between states themselves.
v. Dual Citizenship
Citizens of a federation typically hold a dual status — citizenship of the federation as a whole and citizenship or residency of a particular constituent state — granting them rights and privileges at both levels of government.
Q5(a) — Constitution
A constitution is the fundamental body of rules, written or unwritten, that establishes the structure, powers, and functions of the organs of government, defines the relationship between the state and its citizens, and provides the basic legal framework within which all other laws of the state must operate.
Q5(b) — Four Sources of the Nigerian Constitution
i. The 1999 Constitution and its Amendments
The primary source of Nigerian constitutional law is the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, along with its subsequent amendments, which sets out the structure of government, fundamental rights, and the distribution of powers among the three tiers of government.
ii. Received English Law
Nigeria inherited a significant body of English common law, doctrines of equity, and statutes of general application that were in force in England as at 1 January 1900, which continue to apply in Nigeria except where altered by local legislation.
iii. Nigerian Case Law (Judicial Precedents)
Decisions of Nigerian courts, particularly the Supreme Court, interpreting constitutional provisions form an important source of constitutional law, since these judicial precedents clarify ambiguous provisions and bind lower courts in subsequent similar matters.
iv. Customary Law
Indigenous customary practices and traditions that are not repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience continue to apply in many personal and family law matters across Nigeria’s various ethnic communities, forming a recognised source of law within the constitutional order.
Q6(a) — Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the practice and art of conducting negotiations and managing relations between sovereign states and other international actors through peaceful means, typically carried out by trained representatives such as ambassadors and diplomats, with the aim of promoting national interests while maintaining cordial international relations.
Q6(b) — Five Functions of Diplomacy
i. Representation of National Interests
Diplomats represent the political, economic, and strategic interests of their home country in dealings with foreign governments, ensuring that their nation’s position is communicated clearly and advocated for in international forums.
ii. Negotiation of Treaties and Agreements
Diplomacy provides the primary mechanism through which states negotiate treaties, trade agreements, and other binding arrangements, allowing differences between states to be resolved through dialogue rather than coercion or force.
iii. Promotion of Peace and Conflict Resolution
Diplomats play a central role in mediating disputes between states, defusing tensions before they escalate into armed conflict, and facilitating peace negotiations in existing conflicts.
iv. Gathering and Reporting of Information
Diplomatic missions gather political, economic, and social information about the host country and report this back to their home government, informing foreign policy decisions and helping anticipate developments that may affect national interests.
v. Protection of Citizens Abroad
Embassies and consulates provide consular services and protection to their nationals living or travelling abroad, including assistance during emergencies, legal difficulties, or natural disasters in the host country.
Q7 — Five Differences Between the Parliamentary and Presidential Systems
i. Selection of the Head of Government
In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is selected from among members of the legislature, typically the leader of the majority party, whereas in a presidential system, the President is directly elected by the populace in a separate nationwide election.
ii. Fusion versus Separation of Powers
The parliamentary system features a fusion of the executive and legislature, since the cabinet is drawn from and remains part of the legislature, while the presidential system maintains a strict separation, with the executive existing independently of the legislature.
iii. Tenure and Removal from Office
A Prime Minister can be removed at any time through a vote of no confidence in the legislature, making tenure dependent on continued legislative support, whereas a President serves a fixed term and can typically only be removed through impeachment for specific constitutional grounds.
iv. Head of State and Head of Government
In many parliamentary systems, the roles of Head of State and Head of Government are separate, held by a monarch or ceremonial president and a Prime Minister respectively, whereas in a presidential system these roles are fused in a single individual.
v. Cabinet Composition
In a parliamentary system, cabinet ministers are usually also sitting members of the legislature, whereas in a presidential system, the President typically appoints ministers from outside the legislature, who are not required to hold elected office.
Q8(a) — Pressure Group
A pressure group is an organised association of individuals who share common interests or goals and who come together to influence government policy or public opinion in their favour, without themselves seeking to win elections or take direct control of government.
Q8(b) — Five Functions of Pressure Groups
i. Articulation and Aggregation of Interests
Pressure groups give organised expression to the specific interests of particular sections of society — such as workers, businesses, or professionals — channelling these concerns into the political process in a coherent and concentrated form.
ii. Education of the Public and Policymakers
Pressure groups often possess specialised knowledge in their area of concern and use this expertise to inform both the public and government officials about issues, providing research, data, and analysis that might otherwise be unavailable to policymakers.
iii. Checking Government Excesses
By monitoring government actions and policies, pressure groups act as a check on the abuse of power, mobilising opposition to unpopular or harmful policies and holding officials accountable to the interests of the groups they represent.
iv. Promotion of Political Participation
Pressure groups provide citizens with an additional avenue for political engagement beyond voting, allowing individuals to participate actively in shaping policy outcomes between elections through lobbying, advocacy, and organised campaigns.
v. Influencing Legislation and Policy
Through lobbying, petitions, and direct engagement with legislators, pressure groups seek to shape the content of laws and government policy to align with the interests of their members, often achieving significant influence on specific pieces of legislation.