JAMB Government 1980

24 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

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Question 2

Pressured groups' politics are usually directed to

  1. limited or sectoral goals
  2. national objectives
  3. the interest s of the Nigerian Medical Association
  4. the goals of the Nigeria Union of Teachers
  5. none of the above
Answer and explanation

A: limited or sectoral goals

Pressure groups usually pursue the particular interests or objectives of a sector or membership. This distinguishes their focused goals from a party seeking to govern across a full policy programme.

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Question 3

The principle of separation of powers ensures

  1. the erosion of executive power
  2. that the legislature is supreme
  3. the preservation of the fundamental liberties of the citizens
  4. that all the branches of government have equal powers and functions
  5. that the rights of the ethnic minorities are safeguarded
Answer and explanation

C: the preservation of the fundamental liberties of the citizens

Separating governmental functions helps prevent concentrated power and protects individual liberty. Each branch has a distinct role rather than identical functions or unlimited supremacy.

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Question 6

The concept of Indirect Rule in Nigeria is usually associated with

  1. Sir George T. Goldie
  2. Sir Donald Cameron
  3. Major Claude Macdonald
  4. Lord Lugard
  5. Sir Arthur Richards
Answer and explanation

D: Lord Lugard

Lord Lugard developed indirect rule in Northern Nigeria. British colonial authorities governed through existing emirs and other traditional institutions, placing them under colonial supervision.

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Question 11

The legislative arm of a government is always

  1. the Parliament
  2. the Cabinet
  3. the highest organ of government
  4. the body that makes laws
  5. the body that interprets laws
Answer and explanation

D: the body that makes laws

The defining function of the legislative arm is making laws. Its name can differ between countries, so Parliament is not the universal institutional title.

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Question 12

The Executive is the body that

  1. executes armed robbers
  2. interprets laws
  3. implements laws
  4. enacts laws
  5. none of the above
Answer and explanation

C: implements laws

The executive implements and administers laws. Interpreting laws in disputes is judicial work, while enacting primary legislation is principally legislative work.

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Question 13

The principle of separation of powers implies that

  1. the Executive is supreme
  2. the Executive is powerless
  3. power is shared by different but co- ordinate organs in the state
  4. the rule of law obtains
  5. power is shared by competing departments in the state
Answer and explanation

C: power is shared by different but co- ordinate organs in the state

Separation of powers distributes state functions among distinct but coordinated organs. It does not make the executive either supreme or powerless.

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Question 14

The term rule of law is applicable only

  1. in western-type democracies
  2. in socialist countries
  3. in developing countries
  4. in state where laws are supreme
  5. if the regime is not military
Answer and explanation

D: in state where laws are supreme

The rule of law applies where legal rules are supreme over arbitrary power. It is a principle of government under law, not a label restricted to one region or economic ideology.

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Question 15

Fundamental human rights of citizens are provided for in

  1. the United Nations Charter
  2. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
  3. the OAU Charter
  4. Amnesty International Edict
  5. the constitutions of states
Answer and explanation

E: the constitutions of states

National constitutions commonly specify citizens fundamental rights and their domestic protection. International instruments also address human rights, but constitutional provisions supply the state-level framework.

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Question 16

It is the duty of every citizen

  1. to go to school
  2. to participate in the operation feed the nation scheme
  3. to perform his civic responsibilities
  4. not to jump queues
  5. to sing the national anthem every day
Answer and explanation

C: to perform his civic responsibilities

Citizenship involves civic responsibilities such as obeying lawful rules and meeting public duties. The other options prescribe particular activities that are not universal daily requirements for every citizen.

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Question 18

The term 'franchise' refers to

  1. French speaking people
  2. property owners
  3. the right to choose representatives to the legislature
  4. the educated electorate
  5. the voting card
Answer and explanation

C: the right to choose representatives to the legislature

The electoral franchise is the right to vote for representatives. It is a legal entitlement, not simply ownership of property or possession of a particular document.

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Question 21

The main role of pressure groups is to

  1. influence the Legislature and the Executive to make decisions favourable to them
  2. inject emotional and selfish issues into national debates
  3. influence the general public
  4. use all means including bribery to achieve their objectives
  5. assist selected multinational corporations in fulfilling their objectives
Answer and explanation

A: influence the Legislature and the Executive to make decisions favourable to them

Pressure groups aim to influence legislative and executive decisions in favour of their interests or causes. Their role does not justify unlawful methods such as bribery.

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Question 25

Which of the following constitutes the political sovereign in a democracy?

  1. the Executive
  2. the Judiciary
  3. the Press
  4. the Legislature
  5. the Electorate
Answer and explanation

E: the Electorate

The electorate is the body of eligible voters that chooses representatives in a democracy. Through elections it gives political authority to institutions that govern on the public’s behalf.

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Question 28

The five political parties recognized by the Nigerian Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) for the 1979 elections were

  1. UPN, GNPP, NPN, PRP and NPC
  2. GNPP, PRP, UPN, NPP and NAP
  3. PRP, UPN, MOP, GNPP and NPP
  4. NPN, NPP, UPN, PRP and GNPP
  5. NPP, PRP, GNPP, NPN and NEPU
Answer and explanation

D: NPN, NPP, UPN, PRP and GNPP

The five parties were NPN, NPP, UPN, PRP and GNPP. NPC and NEPU belonged to earlier party politics and were not among the five registered parties contesting in 1979.

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Question 30

An ideology is essentially

  1. a guide to political action
  2. a manual for revolution
  3. a curse on political actors
  4. a non-political concept
  5. negative in connotation
Answer and explanation

A: a guide to political action

An ideology is a connected set of political ideas that guides interpretation and action. It can support reform, conservation or revolution and is not inherently negative.

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Question 31

The principal roles of law-making and law interpretation belong respectively to

  1. the Executive and Judiciary
  2. the Judiciary and Legislature
  3. the Judiciary and Executive
  4. the Legislature and Judiciary
  5. the Legislature and Executive
Answer and explanation

D: the Legislature and Judiciary

The legislature's central role is to make laws, while the judiciary interprets and applies law in deciding cases. Other branches may have limited related powers, but these remain the principal functions.

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Question 32

The (former) Northern Region of Nigeria became internally self-governing in

  1. 1956
  2. 1957
  3. 1958
  4. 1959
  5. 1960
Answer and explanation

D: 1959

The Northern Region attained internal self-government in 1959. This regional constitutional step preceded Nigeria's national independence in 1960.

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Question 33

The Convention People's party was a popular political party in

  1. Sierra Leone
  2. Senegal
  3. Ivory Coast
  4. Ghana
  5. Nigeria
Answer and explanation

D: Ghana

The Convention People's Party was the Ghanaian party associated with Kwame Nkrumah. It played a central role in the Gold Coast's movement to independence as Ghana.

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Question 38

Nationalist movements in West Africa

  1. began earlier in the French colonies than in the British ones
  2. were given all necessary support by the colonial governors who were liberal at heart
  3. were assisted by indigenous individuals educated in Europe and North America
  4. were in fact encouraged and later led by traditional rulers who had the much-needed foresight and courage
  5. were parochial and did not really influence one another
Answer and explanation

C: were assisted by indigenous individuals educated in Europe and North America

Western-educated Africans contributed to nationalist movements through journalism, political organization and advocacy. Figures educated abroad helped connect local grievances with wider anti-colonial ideas.

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Question 39

The French policy of Assimilation

  1. Enabled Europeans to assimilate and come to terms with African cultural values
  2. produced radical African leaders who were anxious to terminate cordial relationships with France
  3. was aimed at converting Africans into Frenchmen
  4. was the same in theory as the British policy of Indirect Rule
  5. was a device to transfer French technology to Africa
Answer and explanation

C: was aimed at converting Africans into Frenchmen

Assimilation aimed to make colonial subjects adopt French language, culture and institutions. The phrase converting Africans into Frenchmen describes that colonial ideal, rather than Europeans adopting African values.

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Question 41

Through the activities of which organization did the Niger area become a British sphere of influence?

  1. Lord Lugard
  2. the United Africa Company
  3. Herbert Macaulay
  4. the Royal Niger Company
  5. Ajayi Crowther
Answer and explanation

D: the Royal Niger Company

The Royal Niger Company used commercial agreements and chartered authority to expand British influence in the Niger area. Its activities preceded direct British colonial administration of those territories.

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Question 45

The highest Court in Nigeria is called the

  1. Federal Court of Appeal
  2. High Court
  3. Upper Area Court
  4. Supreme Court
  5. Sharia Court of Appeal
Answer and explanation

D: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is Nigeria's highest court and final appellate court. The Court of Appeal, High Courts and specialized appellate courts occupy lower positions in the judicial hierarchy.

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Question 47

The Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) came into being

  1. through the combined efforts of Gambia, Ivory Coast and Liberia
  2. to promote economic growth and development through freer and expanded trade between its members
  3. to enable the sixteen member states to surrender their sovereignties to a supranational regional community
  4. to help the poorest countries in the region catch up with the richer ones
  5. to establish mutual defence and security arrangements between members
Answer and explanation

B: to promote economic growth and development through freer and expanded trade between its members

ECOWAS was established to advance regional economic cooperation and integration, including expanded trade. Its founding purpose did not require member states to surrender all sovereignty to a regional government.

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Question 48

Which of the following bodies is the most representative organ of the United Nations Organization?

  1. The Security Council
  2. the Trusteeship Council
  3. the General Assembly
  4. the International Court of Justice
  5. the Economic and Social Council
Answer and explanation

C: the General Assembly

All UN member states are represented in the General Assembly. Other listed organs have restricted membership or consist of judges rather than delegations from every member state.

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Question 49

Which of the following bodies in Nigeria performs the function of an Ombudsman?

  1. the Public Service Commission
  2. the National Economic Planning Commission
  3. the National Security Organization
  4. the Public Complaints Commission
  5. the Civil Service Commission
Answer and explanation

D: the Public Complaints Commission

The Public Complaints Commission performs Nigeria's ombudsman role by investigating administrative injustice. Civil service and public service commissions have different personnel-management responsibilities.

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