2018 JAMB GOVERNMENT PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

This question tests your knowledge of Nigeria’s political history between 1960 and 1980. During this period, Nigeria operated under unitary, federal, and parliamentary systems. However, a confederal system, which implies a union of sovereign states with limited central authority, was never adopted in Nigeria. Understanding the distinctions between these systems helps in identifying the correct answer.

This question assesses your understanding of Nigeria’s early political landscape. The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), founded by Herbert Macaulay in 1923, is recognized as Nigeria’s first political party. The other options emerged later in Nigeria’s political history, making NNDP the correct answer.

This question evaluates your comprehension of the fundamental roles of government. While building infrastructure and providing services are important, the primary function is to maintain law and order. This ensures a stable environment for society to function effectively. The other options, though significant, are secondary to maintaining law and order.

This question explores the conditions necessary for effective governance. A good constitution provides the legal framework, while good operators ensure the laws are implemented effectively. Both elements are essential; having one without the other can lead to inefficiency or abuse of power. The other options do not provide a comprehensive foundation for good governance.

This question focuses on the core principles of democracy. Democracy is fundamentally based on rule by the majority while protecting the rights of the minority. This balance ensures that governance reflects the will of the majority without oppressing minority groups. The other options do not align with democratic principles.

This question assesses your understanding of legitimate political power sources. Power from the electorate, derived from democratic elections, is a legal and recognized source of political authority. Other options like power from the gun or economic power may influence politics but are not legally sanctioned sources of authority.

This question examines your knowledge of governmental structures. The Executive branch is responsible for initiating and recommending bills to the legislature. This process ensures that proposed laws are reviewed and debated before enactment. The other branches have different roles in the legislative process.

This question explores the limitations of political participation in democracies. Age restrictions are commonly applied to ensure that participants have the necessary maturity and understanding to engage in the political process. While other factors like religion or sex can influence participation, they are not standard legal restrictions in democracies.

This question tests your understanding of voting rights terminology. Disenfranchisement specifically refers to the denial of the right to vote in an election, often through legal or systemic barriers. The other options relate to voter qualifications or rights but do not capture the essence of disenfranchisement.

This question addresses the legal boundaries of fundamental rights. The right to life may be limited in cases of convicted individuals serving their sentences, as the state enforces penalties for crimes. This ensures societal order and justice. The other options do not directly relate to the legal limitations of the right to life.

This question assesses your understanding of factors influencing political socialization. Tourism is not typically considered an agent of political socialization, as it primarily involves leisure activities rather than shaping political beliefs. In contrast, mass media, peer groups, and universities play significant roles in influencing political views and behaviors.

This question examines the concept of political sovereignty. Political sovereignty resides with the people, meaning that ultimate authority and legitimacy of the government derive from the populace. The government, military, or parliament may exercise power, but sovereignty fundamentally belongs to the citizens.

This question evaluates your knowledge of citizenship acquisition processes. Naturalization is the legal process through which an alien residing in a country for a specified period can apply for citizenship, subject to meeting certain criteria. The other options describe different methods of obtaining citizenship, which may not apply in this context.

This question tests your understanding of governmental roles within a parliamentary system. In such systems, the President often serves as the ceremonial Head of State, performing symbolic duties while the Prime Minister handles executive functions. The other options represent different roles that do not typically serve as ceremonial heads in a parliamentary system.

This question explores the methods of establishing a representative government. A general election is the democratic process through which representatives are elected to govern on behalf of the people. The other options involve undemocratic or forceful methods that do not align with the principles of representative governance.

This question assesses your understanding of legislative processes. Delegated legislation helps relieve the parliament’s workload by allowing specific authorities to create detailed laws within the framework established by the legislature. This ensures efficiency and specialization in law-making. The other options do not accurately describe the primary purpose of delegated legislation.

This question examines colonial administrative strategies. Indirect rule succeeded among the Hausa-Fulani because the existing administration structures were compatible with the system, allowing traditional leaders to maintain authority under colonial oversight. This facilitated smoother governance and reduced resistance. The other options do not directly relate to the success of indirect rule in this context.

This question tests your knowledge of colonial policies in West Africa. The British adopted the policy of Association to manage their colonies by working with existing local structures and leaders, rather than imposing direct control. This approach aimed to integrate colonial administration with traditional governance systems. The other options incorrectly attribute the policy to different colonial powers or contexts.

This question explores the impact of nationalism on African history. Nationalism fueled movements for independence, leading to de-colonization as African nations sought self-governance and autonomy from colonial powers. This was a pivotal factor in reshaping the political landscape of the continent. The other options do not capture the primary outcome of nationalism in Africa.

This question assesses your understanding of Nigeria’s constitutional history. The Richards Constitution unified the North and South under a single legislature, promoting national integration and centralized governance. This was a significant step towards forming a cohesive federal state. The other options, while related to constitutional developments, do not specifically highlight the main achievement of the Richards Constitution.

This question evaluates your knowledge of Nigeria’s federal structure. The 1954 Constitution established a clear division of powers between the central government and the regions, solidifying Nigeria’s federal system. This division was crucial for managing the diverse interests of different regions within the country. The other options do not directly relate to the federal nature established by the constitution.

This question tests your understanding of Nigeria’s constitutional developments. The 1954 constitutional conference made the decision to separate Lagos from the Western Region, establishing it as a neutral territory to serve as the federal capital. This was a strategic move to ensure balanced regional representation and governance. The other conferences did not make this specific decision.

This question assesses your knowledge of Nigeria’s political history post-independence. Alhaji Shehu Shagari was not the first Head of State; the correct answer is Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who served as the first Prime Minister. However, based on the provided answers, the correct option is D, indicating Alhaji Shehu Shagari, which may be an error in the answer key.

This question examines factors that have contributed to political instability in Nigeria. The adoption of Abuja as the new federal capital did not generate a political crisis, whereas other events like motions for self-government and contentious elections have been sources of political turmoil. Understanding historical events helps identify the correct answer.

This question tests your understanding of different governmental systems. Monarchy is a system where political power is inherited, typically within a royal family. Diarchy involves two leaders, democracy is rule by the people, and aristocracy is rule by a privileged class, making monarchy the correct answer.

This question explores methods to enhance democratic governance. Accountability ensures that leaders are answerable to the people, promoting transparency and responsibility. The other options, such as gerrymandering and slander, undermine democratic principles, while lobbying can be neutral but is not a direct method of promoting democracy.

This question assesses your understanding of political concepts. Authority is the legitimate power to command obedience, recognized and accepted by those being governed. Influence, legitimacy, and mobilization are related concepts but do not specifically denote the ability to command obedience.

This question examines the basis of governmental legitimacy. Acceptance by the governed is crucial for legitimacy, as it reflects the population’s recognition and support of the authority. While charisma and influence can contribute, acceptance is the primary determinant. Desire is not a direct factor in legitimacy.

This question tests your knowledge of political theorists. A.V. Dicey is renowned for popularizing the principle of the rule of law, emphasizing that law should govern a nation rather than arbitrary decisions by individuals. His work also touched on parliamentary sovereignty, but rule of law remains his most significant contribution.

This question evaluates your understanding of feudal hierarchies. Serfs were the lowest class in the feudal system, bound to the land and subject to the lords’ control. Knights, nobles, and lords held higher statuses with more privileges and responsibilities within the system.

This question assesses your understanding of political systems and the rule of law. The cabinet system, typically found in democratic governments, strongly upholds the rule of law by ensuring that all members of government are accountable and governed by established laws. Feudal, fascist, and communist systems often have varying degrees of rule of law, but not as strongly as democratic cabinet systems.

This question explores principles of government accountability. Collective responsibility is a hallmark of the parliamentary system of government, where the cabinet is collectively accountable to the legislature and must support government decisions as a unified body. This ensures cohesive policy-making and accountability.

This question tests your understanding of constitutional fundamentals. A constitution comprises the fundamental laws and principles that govern a country, outlining the structure, powers, and duties of government institutions and citizens. It serves as the supreme legal document, guiding all other laws and policies. The other options do not fully capture the essence of a constitution.

This question evaluates your knowledge of constitutional content. Constitutions typically include fundamental human rights, governmental structures, and citizen duties. However, manifestos of political parties are not part of a constitution, as they represent party-specific platforms rather than the foundational legal framework of a nation.

This question examines different types of constitutions. A federal system often has a rigid constitution, meaning it requires a special procedure for amendments, reflecting the need for stability and broad consensus in a diverse federation. Unitary, monarchical, and confederal systems may have more flexible constitutions.

This question assesses your knowledge of Nigeria’s foreign policy history. In 1973, Nigeria severed diplomatic ties with Israel following an Organization of African Unity (OAU) resolution that aligned African nations against Israel’s policies. The other options do not correspond to this specific historical event.

This question explores the motivations behind Nigeria’s foreign policy stance. Non-alignment was primarily a response to the East-West ideological competition during the Cold War, allowing Nigeria to avoid taking sides between the US and the Soviet Union. This policy aimed to maintain sovereignty and pursue independent development paths.

This question tests your understanding of international relations involving Nigeria. The United States of America had a strained relationship with Nigeria over the Angolan crisis in 1975 due to conflicting interests and geopolitical strategies in the region. The other countries listed were either not directly involved or had different types of interactions with Nigeria regarding the crisis.

This question assesses your knowledge of African liberation movements. SWAPO (South West Africa People’s Organization) was the primary group fighting for Namibia’s independence from South African rule. The ANC is associated with South Africa, FRELIMO with Mozambique, and MPLA with Angola, making SWAPO the correct answer for Namibia.

This question explores the history of international organizations. The League of Nations was the predecessor to the United Nations, established after World War I to promote peace and cooperation. The other organizations listed were either regional or formed after the UN.