JAMB Government 1984

C: forming the basis upon which a government rules the country

A constitution sets the fundamental rules through which government is organized and exercises authority. It defines institutions, powers and limits; it is not defined by who drafted it or by an absolute ban on amendment.

A: a single recognized party

A totalitarian party-state permits a single recognized ruling party and suppresses organized political opposition. The party is used to extend control across political and social life.

A: prevents governments from becoming dictatorial

Checks and balances prevent any one branch from concentrating unchecked power. By allowing institutions to restrain one another, they help protect against dictatorial government.

E: rigid

A rigid constitution requires a special, more demanding amendment process than ordinary legislation. Difficulty of amendment describes rigidity rather than whether the constitution is written.

E: do not nominate candidate as their own official representatives

Political parties nominate their own candidates to contest office. Pressure groups may support candidates or influence elections, but do not normally field candidates as their own official representatives.

C: individually responsible to the President

In a presidential system each minister is responsible to the president for the assigned department. This differs from the parliamentary cabinet convention of collective responsibility to the legislature.

D: Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary

The three principal organs are the legislature, executive and judiciary. They respectively make laws, administer government and adjudicate legal disputes.

E: qualified adult citizens

Democratic franchise extends to qualified adult citizens under the electoral law. Residence alone or loyalty to a political party does not define the electorate.

E: Naturalization

Naturalization is a legal process through which a non-citizen acquires citizenship after meeting the countrys requirements. Nationalization concerns ownership of assets rather than citizenship.

E: people

Government is the machinery through which the state administers public affairs for its people. It is not limited to serving one occupational class or the rulers personally.

D: interprets the law

The judiciary interprets laws and applies them to disputes. Making legislation belongs mainly to the legislature, while implementing policy belongs mainly to the executive.

B: constituency

A constituency is an electoral district whose voters choose a representative or representatives. A polling booth is only a location where voting takes place.

A: collectively responsible to parliament

Collective ministerial responsibility means the cabinet is accountable to parliament as a body. Ministers normally support agreed government policy or leave the cabinet.

C: private ownership of the means of production

Capitalism is characterized by private ownership of productive resources and enterprises. Public ownership of all enterprises and comprehensive central planning describe different economic arrangements, while capitalism does not require an absence of government.

B: the electorate

The electorate consists of people legally entitled to vote in an election. A ward is a geographical division, while political parties organize candidates and supporters.

D: primaries

Primaries are internal party elections used to select candidates for a later public election. A running mate is a candidate paired with another candidate, not an election process.

E: Swearing in of members of the Houses of Assembly

An electoral commission administers elections and their results; it does not swear legislators into office. Legislative oaths and inauguration are separate institutional procedures.

A: Freedom of conscience and religion

Freedom of conscience and religion is a right enjoyed by citizens. Civic obligations concern responsibilities such as lawful conduct and participation in public life; voting is a civic responsibility even where it is not compulsory.

B: General Assembly

The General Assembly is the UN's main deliberative body, bringing member states together for discussion and recommendations. The Security Council has a distinct responsibility for international peace and security.

D: elective principle

The elective principle allowed a limited number of legislative council seats to be filled by elections. It was a restricted electoral reform, not independence or universal suffrage.

B: The Security Council

The Security Council can impose binding sanctions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. Article 41 provides measures that do not involve the use of armed force.

B: National Universities Commission

The National Universities Commission originated in 1962 as an advisory body. It was therefore not newly established by the 1979 Constitution.

B: The Monrovia group

Nigeria was associated with the Monrovia group before the OAU was formed. This group favoured cooperation between sovereign African states rather than an immediate continental political union.

D: the United Nations Organization

The United Nations was established in 1945 after the Second World War. Maintaining international peace and security is one of its central purposes, unlike the narrower economic mandates of the other organizations.

B: NPC and the NCNC

The Northern People's Congress and the NCNC formed the federal coalition following the 1959 election. This arrangement supported the government that led Nigeria into independence.

A: Chief Anthony Enahoro

Anthony Enahoro moved the motion in 1953 proposing independence in 1956. The proposed date was not achieved; Nigeria eventually became independent in October 1960.

C: 1939

The Southern Provinces were divided into Eastern and Western groups in 1939 under Governor Bernard Bourdillon. This administrative division preceded the later regional constitutional arrangements.

D: The 1963 Constitution

The 1963 republican constitution ended appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council and made Nigeria's Supreme Court the final appellate court. This was a change from the independence arrangements.

C: Macpherson Constitution

The Macpherson Constitution introduced a Council of Ministers at the centre and ministerial arrangements in the regions. This preceded the changes made by the Lyttleton and independence constitutions.

B: no more states should be created before independence

The Willink Commission did not recommend creating new states before independence. It instead emphasized safeguards for minority rights and other protections within the existing regional arrangements.

C: July 29,1966

Nigeria's second military coup took place on 29 July 1966 and overthrew the Ironsi government. The January coup earlier that year was the first, while the change in July 1975 was later.

B: 35 years

Section 123(b) of the 1979 Constitution required a presidential candidate to have attained age 35. This question concerns that historical constitution, so the answer follows its stated qualification.

D: the Local Government Council

Local government councils collect local rates within the authority granted by law. Rates are distinct from the wider taxes administered by national or state revenue bodies.

C: The Economic Commission for Africa

The Economic Commission for Africa is a United Nations regional commission. The OAU Charter separately established the Assembly, Council of Ministers and mediation, conciliation and arbitration machinery.

D: Included elected African members

The 1923 council included elected African representatives under the Clifford Constitution's limited franchise. The elective seats were associated with Lagos and Calabar, rather than universal representation across the whole country.