JAMB Government 1982

38 reviewed questions with answers and explanations.

Practice selection: full-paper coverage has not been confirmed.

Question 1

Universal Suffrage means

  1. Adult participation in politics
  2. giving voting right to women above the age of 21
  3. property ownership
  4. citizens who understand why they vote
  5. the right of qualified adults to vote
Answer and explanation

E: the right of qualified adults to vote

Universal suffrage is the right of eligible adults to vote without property, sex or similar exclusions. It concerns voting rights rather than all forms of political participation.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 2

In the Parliamentary System of government executive powers are vested in

  1. The President
  2. Parliament
  3. the Party in government
  4. the Cabinet
  5. a few powerful men in the country
Answer and explanation

D: the Cabinet

In the parliamentary model, the cabinet led by the prime minister exercises executive power. Parliament holds the cabinet accountable, but does not itself conduct day-to-day executive administration.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 3

In a federal system, powers that are allocated to both Central and State governments are called

  1. Exclusive
  2. Concurrent
  3. Arbitrary
  4. Copyrights
  5. Residual
Answer and explanation

B: Concurrent

Concurrent powers are assigned to both central and state governments within a federation. Exclusive powers belong to one level, while residual powers concern matters not expressly allocated.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 4

In a democracy, political power is exercised by

  1. the majority
  2. the literate public
  3. the few wealthy
  4. one person
  5. the monarchy
Answer and explanation

A: the majority

Democratic decisions commonly follow majority choice while preserving political participation and rights. Among these options, majority rule contrasts with control by wealth, literacy, one ruler or a monarchy.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 5

The purpose of registration before elections is to

  1. know the total population of a country
  2. know the names of all taxable adults
  3. know the number of people that support each political party
  4. Guard against fraud at elections
  5. identify citizens and non-citizens of a state
Answer and explanation

D: Guard against fraud at elections

Voter registration establishes a list of eligible voters and helps prevent impersonation or multiple voting. It serves electoral integrity rather than counting taxpayers or party supporters.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 6

In a parliamentary system of government the head of government is usually

  1. the head of state
  2. selected from the upper chamber
  3. a graduate of a university
  4. the prime minister
  5. elected by the whole country
Answer and explanation

D: the prime minister

The prime minister is normally the head of government in a parliamentary system. The office is distinct from the head of state and is tied to legislative confidence.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 7

In the presidential system in Nigeria the Chief Executive remains in office for

  1. a period of eight years
  2. a fixed term
  3. as long as he enjoys popular support
  4. two terms
  5. a period of six years
Answer and explanation

B: a fixed term

A presidential term has a constitutionally fixed duration. Popular support alone does not extend the term, and eligibility for another term is distinct from the duration of the current one.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 8

The idea of democracy as a system of government was inherited from

  1. the USA
  2. Italy
  3. England
  4. Greece
  5. China
Answer and explanation

D: Greece

The term democracy and an early influential form of democratic government come from ancient Greece, especially Athens. Ancient participation was restricted and differed greatly from modern universal suffrage.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 9

We say that a constitution is rigid if

  1. the sources are too many
  2. the constitution is foreign
  3. it has no chapter on human rights
  4. the provisions are too detailed
  5. the process of changing it is too cumbersome
Answer and explanation

E: the process of changing it is too cumbersome

A rigid constitution requires a more demanding amendment process than ordinary legislation. The defining feature is the special process for change, not the number of sources or amount of detail.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 11

Anonymity of the civil servant means that civil servants must

  1. serve any government impartially
  2. be politically neutral
  3. have job security
  4. avoid nepotism and favouritism
  5. not receive the credit or blame for any good or bad policy
Answer and explanation

E: not receive the credit or blame for any good or bad policy

Civil-service anonymity means officials normally work behind the public political leadership. Ministers publicly take responsibility for departmental policy, rather than officials seeking personal political credit.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 14

Pressure groups are important because they

  1. enjoy publicity
  2. manage political crisis for their members
  3. sponsor candidates for election
  4. represent groups who may otherwise be ignored
  5. are not interested in the welfare of the state
Answer and explanation

D: represent groups who may otherwise be ignored

Pressure groups give organized expression to interests that might otherwise receive little attention. This can broaden the information and concerns considered by public decision-makers.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 16

In the British parliamentary system, if parliament passes a vote of no confidence on the government, the Prime Minister

  1. must change some ministers
  2. can ask the Queen to resign
  3. can dismiss some top civil servants
  4. and his cabinet may feel obliged to resign
  5. can Dissolve the opposition party
Answer and explanation

D: and his cabinet may feel obliged to resign

A British government depends on parliamentary confidence. Defeat on a confidence vote can require the prime minister and cabinet to resign or seek a constitutional route to a new election.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 17

Which of these is NOT a method of election?

  1. Co-option
  2. Second ballot
  3. Proportional representation
  4. Primary election
  5. Simple majority
Answer and explanation

A: Co-option

Co-option fills a place through selection by existing members rather than an election by voters. The other options describe electoral methods or types of election.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 18

An unwritten constitution is the one where

  1. no part of the constitution is ever written down
  2. the whole constitution is not contained in any one document
  3. the constitution is based on the wishes of the prime minister
  4. the constitution can be amended by a simple majority
Answer and explanation

B: the whole constitution is not contained in any one document

An unwritten or uncodified constitution is not consolidated into one document. Many of its rules may nevertheless be written in statutes and judicial decisions.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 21

The idea of putting everyone under two levels of government at the same time is called

  1. dual policy
  2. dual mandate
  3. dual citizenship
  4. federalism
  5. nationalism
Answer and explanation

D: federalism

Federalism divides governmental authority between a central government and constituent governments. Citizens are consequently subject to both levels within their respective constitutional powers.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 22

One of the fundamental features of capitalism is

  1. that the major factors of production are privately owned
  2. the predominance of the public sector in the economy
  3. the elimination of all forms of competition
  4. the rule of the few
  5. the entrenchment of social rights
Answer and explanation

A: that the major factors of production are privately owned

Private ownership of productive assets is a defining feature of capitalism. State ownership dominating production would instead describe a different economic arrangement.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 23

A Federal system of government is the one in which

  1. power is concentrated in the hands of one of the governments
  2. Subordinate units of government exercise sovereign power
  3. the state governors can sue the central government
  4. power is shared between the central government and local governments
  5. power is shared between the central and state governments
Answer and explanation

E: power is shared between the central and state governments

Federalism divides constitutional powers between the central government and constituent states. Neither level simply holds all governmental authority over the other.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 24

The membership of pressure groups is limited because they

  1. pursue specific and narrow objectives
  2. are mainly concerned with public interests
  3. promote other people's interests
  4. are not friendly
  5. are not patriotic
Answer and explanation

A: pursue specific and narrow objectives

Pressure groups organize around particular interests or causes. Their membership is therefore often narrower than the broad public constituency sought by a governing political party.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 25

The OAU was founded to

  1. effect an immediate political union of African States
  2. end colonialism in Africa in 1970
  3. promote the unity and solidarity of African states
  4. create a common market in sub-Saharan Africa
  5. prevent other regional groups from being set up in Africa
Answer and explanation

C: promote the unity and solidarity of African states

The OAU Charter made the unity and solidarity of African states a central purpose. It did not require immediate political union or set 1970 as a universal end date for colonialism.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 27

The United Nations Organization was founded to

  1. end the Second World War
  2. end the Nigerian Civil War
  3. promote World peace
  4. Co-ordinate the activities of all its members
  5. co-ordinate the activities of regional organizations
Answer and explanation

C: promote World peace

Maintaining international peace and security is a central purpose of the United Nations. Its founding charter provides for collective action and peaceful settlement of disputes.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 29

Byelaws are usually made and enforced by

  1. state governments
  2. trade union
  3. local authorities
  4. the Chief Inspector of police
  5. the Senate
Answer and explanation

C: local authorities

Local authorities commonly make byelaws under powers granted by legislation. Such rules apply within their jurisdiction and must remain within the authority of the parent law.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 30

One of the earliest political institutions set up in the colonial period to allow for local participation in politics was the

  1. Supreme Military Council
  2. Legislative Council
  3. Federal Executive Council
  4. Willink's Commission
  5. Public Service Commission
Answer and explanation

B: Legislative Council

Colonial legislative councils provided some limited opportunities for local participation, initially through restricted representation. The other institutions listed belong to later or different administrative functions.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 31

The organization of African Unity was set up in

  1. 1960
  2. 1957
  3. 1963
  4. 1975
  5. 1979
Answer and explanation

C: 1963

The Organization of African Unity was founded in 1963 at Addis Ababa. Its charter established institutions for cooperation among independent African states.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 32

The Nigeria 1979 Constitution gives the right to vote to

  1. every resident alien in Nigeria
  2. every Nigerian child
  3. all secondary school children
  4. all Nigerians below the age of seventeen
  5. all Nigerians of eighteen years and above
Answer and explanation

E: all Nigerians of eighteen years and above

Eighteen was the minimum voting age under the 1979 arrangements. Exercising the vote also required meeting the applicable citizenship and electoral registration rules.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 34

The Nigeria Federal Legislature is

  1. bicameral
  2. Unicameral
  3. called the House of Assembly
  4. Called the House of Representatives
  5. the Senate
Answer and explanation

A: bicameral

Nigeria's federal legislature is bicameral because it consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Neither chamber alone constitutes the whole National Assembly.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 35

Ghana was led into independence by

  1. Dr J. B Danquah
  2. Dr Kwame Nkrumah
  3. Dr K. A Busia
  4. Mr. Akuffo Addo
  5. Mr. Krobo Edusei
Answer and explanation

B: Dr Kwame Nkrumah

Kwame Nkrumah led the Convention People's Party and headed the government when the Gold Coast became independent Ghana in 1957. The other listed politicians held different roles.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 37

Which of the parties listed below was founded by Herbert Macaulay in 1923?

  1. The Nigerian Youth Movement
  2. The Action Group
  3. The Northern People's Congress
  4. The Nigerian National Democratic Party
  5. The National Council of Nigerian Citizens
Answer and explanation

D: The Nigerian National Democratic Party

Herbert Macaulay founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party in 1923. The party took part in the Lagos elections created by the Clifford Constitution's elective provisions.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 38

In which of the following institutions does the 1979 Constitution of Nigeria provide for the representation of traditional rulers?

  1. The Senate
  2. National House of Chiefs
  3. The Population Bureau
  4. Council of State
  5. National Economic Council
Answer and explanation

D: Council of State

The 1979 Constitution included traditional-ruler representation on the Council of State. Each state's Council of Chiefs appointed one of its members to serve on that federal council.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 39

The Economic Commission for Africa is an agency of

  1. ECOWAS
  2. the OCAM
  3. the Commonwealth
  4. the OAU
  5. the United Nations
Answer and explanation

E: the United Nations

The Economic Commission for Africa is a United Nations regional commission established by ECOSOC. It promotes economic and social development and cooperation in Africa.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 40

Where was ECOWAS's administrative headquarters in 1982?

  1. Lomé
  2. Accra
  3. Abidjan
  4. Lagos
  5. Cotonou
Answer and explanation

D: Lagos

ECOWAS's headquarters was in Lagos during this period. The secretariat later moved to Abuja, so the historical year determines which location answers this question.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 43

The Richards Constitution in Nigeria provided for the

  1. unofficial majority in the Legislative Council
  2. appointment of Nigerians as Chief Judges
  3. House of Chiefs in the Western Region
  4. House of Chiefs in the Eastern Region
  5. banning of the Trade Union Movement
Answer and explanation

A: unofficial majority in the Legislative Council

The Richards Constitution provided an unofficial majority in the central Legislative Council. Unofficial membership did not mean that all those representatives were directly elected or that colonial executive power ended.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 44

In 1982, which of the following countries operated a single-party system?

  1. Ghana
  2. Nigeria
  3. Tanzania
  4. Uganda
  5. France
Answer and explanation

C: Tanzania

Tanzania operated its constitutional single-party system in 1982. It restored multiparty politics in 1992, so the historical date matters when distinguishing this system from later political arrangements.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 45

The main function of the Legislative Council in British Colonial West Africa was to

  1. advise the Governor on policy
  2. make the law
  3. execute the law
  4. interpret the law
  5. act as a disciplinary body for the civil servants
Answer and explanation

B: make the law

Legislative Councils were principally concerned with making colonial laws, subject to the governor's powers and colonial constitutional limits. Executing and interpreting laws were different institutional functions.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 46

The judicial organ of the United Nations is the

  1. Security council
  2. Trusteeship council
  3. International court of justice
  4. General Assembly
  5. European court
Answer and explanation

C: International court of justice

The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. The Security Council and General Assembly have different responsibilities and are not international courts.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 47

Which of the following countries has the right to veto the decision of the Security Council

  1. Australia
  2. Switzerland
  3. China
  4. Canada
  5. Japan
Answer and explanation

C: China

China holds a permanent seat on the UN Security Council and has a veto on substantive decisions. Elected Council members do not acquire that permanent-member veto power.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 48

The primary function of the Economic and social council of the UN is to

  1. improve the social relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union
  2. maintain world peace and security
  3. assist in the development of member states
  4. lift customs barriers between petroleum producing and non-petroleum producing countries
  5. encourage trade between Third World and European countries
Answer and explanation

C: assist in the development of member states

ECOSOC coordinates work on economic and social development within the UN system. International peace and security is primarily the Security Council's responsibility rather than ECOSOC's.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 49

Which of the following countries voted 'no' in the referendum conducted by France in 1958?

  1. Ivory Coast
  2. Togo
  3. Cameroon
  4. Republic of Benin
  5. Guinea
Answer and explanation

E: Guinea

Guinea voted against joining the French Community in the 1958 referendum and proceeded to independence. Its choice distinguished it from the territories that accepted the constitutional proposal.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Question 50

Which of the following terms is different from the others?

  1. Totalitarianism
  2. Fascism
  3. Dictatorship
  4. Authoritarianism
  5. Constitutionalism
Answer and explanation

E: Constitutionalism

Constitutionalism requires government to act within effective legal limits. The other terms describe forms or features of concentrated authoritarian power rather than the principle of limited government.

AI-reviewed · source checked

Plan your study weekAll Government years