Back to Course

WAEC: GOVERNMENT

0% Complete
0/0 Steps

Quizzes




  • Kofa Study
Quiz 8 of 16

2017 Government WAEC Theory Past Questions

WAEC: GOVERNMENT 2017 Government WAEC Theory Past Questions

Responses

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Question 1

a. What is a legitimate government

Answer

A legitimate government is one which is acceptable to the people either because it has been lawfully established or through its performance over a period of time.

 

b. Outline any four features of legitimacy

Answer

Features of legitimacy:

  • Legality: Government comes to power through lawful means
  • Acceptability: it is a government that is acceptable by the people
  • Recognition: it should be recognized both internally and externally.
  • Popularity: it should be able to receive popular support from the people
  • Respect for fundamental human right
  • Existence of free press
  • Respect for rules and regulations, customs and tradition
  • Responsiveness to the people’s views and opinion

Question 2

(a) What are rights?

Answer

Rights are legal entitlements that citizens of a state enjoy.

 

(b) Highlight four limitations on the rights of a citizen

Answer

Limitations on the right of a citizen

  • Violation of the rights of others
  • Public servants under the oath of secrecy have no right to release official information
  • Legal limitations e.g libel, slander, sedition, etc
  • Negative traditional practices can limit the right of the individual
  • Economic and social conditions may limit the enjoyment of rights
  • Acquisition of an individual’s property by the state for public use
  • Illiteracy, poverty, and ignorance
  • The nature and system of government
  • Remand/imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction
  • For the purpose of maintaining state security/restricted area

Question 3

(a) Differentiate between a de jure and de-facto one-party system

Answer

De-jure is a situation where only one party is legally and officially recognized in the state while in defacto other parties may exist but only one party dominates the political scene.

 

(b) Outline four advantages of a multi-party system

Answer

Advantages of a multiparty system.

  • It is democratic because the people have the freedom to join any party of their choice
  • There is room for the opposition which guarantees good governance
  • iii. It checks arbitrary use of power
  • The electorate has a wide range of choosing leaders/policies or programmes
  • It enhances wider political education
  • It ensures political accountability and transparency
  • It caters to the interest of the majority
  • It caters to all shades of political opinions
  • It enhances political participation

Question 4

(a) What is a simple majority system?

Answer

Simple majority system is an electoral system in which the candidate with the highest number of votes is declared the winner in an election.

 

(b) Outline four demerits of the system.

Answer

  • It is easier to manipulate/rig elections conducted under this system
  • It may encourage the election of mediocre candidates
  • It promotes ethnicity in national politics
  • Sometimes it works against the wishes of the majority of the voters
  • Smaller parties have little chance of winning the election
  • The system does not reflect clearly the strength of the political parties
  • It gives room for gerrymandering
  • It gives a wrong impression about the popularity and legitimacy of the winner

Question 5

Identify five ways which the central government can improve upon local government system in West Africa.

Answer

Ways which the central government can improve upon local government system in West Africa:

  • Transparent appointment of local government administrators
  • Application of technology in the operations of the local government system
  • Increasing central government grants to local authorities for development projects
  • The ministry of local government should evolve an action plan for local authorities to generate revenue internally
  • Granting of financial autonomy to the local government unit
  • Minimizing central government interference and partisanship in local government administration
  • Effective internal and external auditing of accounts
  • Provision of adequate logistics for local authorities e.g vehicle, furniture and computer facilities
  • Effective ministerial control to avoid misappropriation and misapplication as well as misallocation of funds

Question 6

Functions performed by the Ogboni Secret society in the pre-colonial Yoruba political system:

Answer

  • Policymaking: it was involved in the policymaking process
  • Religious function: it serves as an intermediary between the people and their ancestors
  • It approved the decision of the paramount ruler and his servant
  • Maintenance of law and order
  • It checked the arbitrary use of powers by the ruler
  • It provided protection for its members and the people
  • It preserved the cultural values and heritage of the people
  • It served as the final court of appeal in both civil and criminal cases
  • It served as an agent of political education for the people

Question 7

(a) What is a crown colony?

Answer

A crown colony is a territory acquired by the British monarch through settlement, cession, conquest, or purchase.

 

(b) Highlight four functions of the Secretary of State for the colony under the British colonial system.

Answer

Functions of the Secretary of State for the colony under the British colony:

  • Advising the colonial government on the appointment of governors
  • Formulation of policies and programmes for the colony subject to British parliament approval
  • Advising governors on the formulation of policies in their respective colonies
  • Supervision of the colonies
  • Approval of the budget prepared by the government
  • Receiving delegation/petitions from the colonies
  • Setting up the commission of enquiry into issues affecting the colonies
  • Promotion, transfer, and dismissal of governors
  • Approving draft constitutions prepared by the governors
  • Controlling the governor’s veto and certification of powers

Question 8

Highlight five contributions of Herbert Macaulay to the political development of Nigeria

Answer

Contributions of Herbert Macaulay to the political development of Nigeria:

  • He championed the cause of the chiefs and people of Lagos against the Lagos high court over land ownership.
  • Supported labour unions to organise strike and rallies and fight for their rights
  • He was the first to establish a political party in Nigeria – the Nigeria Democratic Party (NNDP) in 1922
  • He was the first national president of the national council of Nigeria Cameroons (NCNC).
  • He was the father of all the Nigerian nationalist leader. He was a rallying point for nationalist.
  • He was instrumental to the establishment of Nigerian wing of the national council of British West Africa (NCBWA)
  • He founded the Lagos Daily Newspaper
  • He led a protest against the 1946 Richard Constitution
  • He represented Nigeria in various constitutional conferences
  • He led his party, NNDP to win elections in the Lagos Municipal council between 1923 38
  • He joined other nationalist leaders to write a petition to the colonial office in London to complain about the evils of colonialism
  • His activities led to the introduction of the Elective principle in Nigeria

Question 9

(a) What is foreign policy?

Answer

Foreign policy is the principle, guidelines, and strategy adopted by a country in conducting its relationship with other states while pursuing its national interest.

 

(b) State four factors that influence Nigeria’s foreign policy

Answer

Factors that influence Nigeria’s foreign policy:

  • Africa centred: Africa is regarded as the centrepiece of Nigeria foreign policy
  • Historical/colonial background and experience
  • Types of government e.g. military or Democratic government
  • Population: large size and the quality of human resources of Nigeria affect her foreign policy
  • Ideological disposition of the leader: Nigeria relates more to those countries that share similar ideologies.
  • The economic resources available to Nigeria e.g mineral resources and agricultural products
  • Commitment to international laws, treaties, and convention
  • Public opinion on issues can bring changes in the government’s foreign policy
  • The industrial strength of Nigeria influences her choice of trading partners

Question 10

Outline any five contribution of Nigeria towards the growth of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

Answer

Contributions of Nigeria towards the growth of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS):

  • Nigeria played an active role in the information of ECOWAS as well as being an initial signatory to the Lagos treaty
  • Provision of high profile personnel for the ECOWAS secretariat/agencies since its inception
  • Nigerian Head of states had served as chairman of ECOWAS
  • Nigeria has played major roles in the peacekeeping operation in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Cote d’Ivoire
  • Nigeria contributes to the development of ECOWAS by hosting summits and conferences
  • Nigeria makes available petroleum products to other ECOWAS countries in need
  • vii. Gives humanitarian assistance to citizens of ECOWAS countries who have been displaced as a result of war
  • viii. Implementation of ECOWAS protocols e.g the protocol on the fight against corruption etc
  • Sending officials to monitor elections in member states.

Report

Harassment or bullying behavior
Contains mature or sensitive content
Contains misleading or false information
Contains abusive or derogatory content
Contains spam, fake content or potential malware

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

  • See blocked member's posts
  • Mention this member in posts
  • Invite this member to groups
  • Message this member
  • Add this member as a connection

Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Report

You have already reported this .
error: Alert: Content selection is disabled!!