2020 JAMB GOVERNMENT PAST QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

A constitution is the foundational legal framework for a country. It establishes the structures of government, outlines the rights and duties of citizens, and provides guidelines for governance.

An oligarchy is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a small, elite group, typically serving their own interests rather than the common good.

The judiciary interprets the law, ensuring that justice is served according to legal principles. Unlike the executive and legislature, it focuses on applying the law impartially.

The National Population Commission was not established by the 1979 Constitution. It was created later, while other institutions like the Police Service Commission were already in place.

In Nigeria, local governments are responsible for collecting rates, which are local taxes used for maintaining infrastructure and other local government responsibilities.

In a democracy, sovereignty rests with the people, who exercise it through voting, participation, and influence over governmental actions and decisions.

A confederal system involves multiple states or provinces with significant autonomy, forming a central government to handle certain issues. ECOWAS, a regional group, exemplifies such a system.

A public bill applies to all citizens and is designed to address broad issues such as healthcare, education, or welfare, as opposed to private bills, which affect specific individuals or entities.

Fascism originated in Italy under Benito Mussolini, characterized by dictatorial power, forcible suppression of opposition, and strong nationalism.

The theory of separation of powers, proposed by Montesquieu, argues for the division of government into three branches (legislative, executive, and judiciary) to prevent abuse of power.

Fascism, often led by dictatorial rulers, derives power from the absolute control of military and police forces to enforce its ideology, limiting civil liberties.

The British government took full control of Nigeria in 1900, marking the beginning of direct colonial rule after revoking the Royal Niger Company’s charter, which had previously administered the region.

The 1979 Constitution includes the promotion of democracy, justice, and welfare. However, the principles of federal character and inequality contradict the ideal of reducing wealth concentration.

Marcus Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to promote the empowerment and unity of African people globally, encouraging self-determination and pride.

Communism is characterized by the abolition of private property and class structures, with the state controlling economic production and distribution of wealth.

Nigeria was the first in British West Africa to elect Africans to the legislative council, marking a significant step toward representative government and participation.

Sovereignty refers to a state’s supreme authority over its territory and people, free from external control or influence. It is a fundamental principle of statehood.

Political parties aim to gain control of government by winning elections, forming governments, and implementing their policies. They focus on broader issues than pressure groups, which lobby specific causes.

In the Hausa-Fulani system, authority was vested in the Emir, who governed through a hierarchical structure, overseeing both administrative and spiritual matters.

The British colonial government divided Southern Nigeria into Eastern and Western provinces in 1939 for more effective administration, dividing the population and resources.

The Security Council of the United Nations holds significant power over decisions related to peace and security, with permanent members holding veto power.

Political values are internalized norms that guide individuals’ political behavior, shaping how they perceive government actions and policies.

Judicial independence is crucial to ensure impartiality in legal decisions. It is secured through the appointment of judges by an independent commission, insulating them from political pressures.

Constituency is typically used in national or state elections, not local government elections. Local elections focus on wards and other smaller divisions.

Warrant Chiefs were appointed by colonial authorities to administer justice, enforce policies, and represent the British government in local affairs, bypassing traditional chiefs.

The application of the rule of law can be constrained by invoking emergency powers, which give the government temporary powers to override normal legal processes during times of crisis.

Before 1963, Nigeria’s highest court was the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London. It served as the final court of appeal for Nigerian cases during colonial rule.

General Murtala Muhammed’s Supreme Military Council was unique because it included civilians as members, whereas General Yakubu Gowon’s council was exclusively military personnel.

During the First Republic, Nigeria maintained limited interaction with the Soviet Union due to ideological differences and its alignment with the West, particularly Britain and the USA.

The Gulf War of 1990 highlighted the inability of the United Nations to prevent conflicts in the Middle East, especially in areas with complex geopolitical interests, undermining its peacekeeping role.

The simple plurality system is criticized for allowing a candidate to win without securing an absolute majority of votes, which can lead to unrepresentative results.

Angola was the last African country to gain independence from colonial rule in 1975, following a long struggle against Portuguese colonization.

Nigeria’s non-aligned policy means it does not take sides in the ideological struggle between the superpowers, instead seeking to maintain independence and neutrality in international affairs.

The United Nations Charter, establishing the framework for international cooperation and peacekeeping, was signed in San Francisco in 1945, shortly after the end of World War II.

The civil service should be neutral and anonymous to ensure that it operates impartially, focusing on efficiency and policy implementation rather than political loyalty.

The delineation of constituencies, which ensures fair representation of different regions and populations in parliament, is typically carried out by the electoral commission.

A meeting of the legislature ends with an adjournment, which temporarily suspends legislative proceedings until the next sitting.

Feudalism’s economic system was based on agriculture, where land ownership and agricultural production were controlled by a small class of nobles who relied on serfs for labor.

NEPAD (New Partnership for Africa’s Development) was adopted at the OAU summit in 2001 in Lusaka, Zambia, to promote sustainable development and cooperation in Africa.

Chief Obafemi Awolowo was the Premier of the Western Region immediately after Nigeria’s independence in 1960, playing a key role in the development of the region.