JAMB Government 2014

A: Definite territory population, sovereignty, and government

A state conventionally has a defined territory, population, government and sovereignty. Specific agencies such as the police and army are institutions rather than the complete defining attributes.

A: participation

Political participation means involvement in political and public affairs, such as voting, campaigning or public deliberation. Socialization instead concerns learning political values and attitudes.

A: electorate

The electorate is the body of eligible voters through which popular political authority is expressed. Legislatures and parties act within the political system but are not the ultimate popular sovereign.

A: succession is through heredity

Monarchical succession is commonly hereditary, passing within a ruling family. This is a typical feature of monarchy rather than a fixed electoral term for the ruler.

B: is not easy to manipulate bills

A second legislative chamber provides another stage of scrutiny. This additional review can make it harder for one group to manipulate a bill; it generally slows rather than accelerates passage.

B: with a relatively small area and a homogenous population

A relatively small territory with a broadly homogeneous population can make central administration easier. Population diversity and geographical size are relevant considerations when choosing how to distribute powers.

D: Morocco

Morocco is a constitutional monarchy, with the monarchs position and state institutions governed by a constitution. Italy, Libya and Uganda were not constitutional monarchies in the question period.

A: judicial review

Judicial review allows courts to test government action against constitutional and legal limits. It therefore provides a check on executive and legislative power.

A: returning officer

The returning officer makes the official declaration and return for the relevant election. Presiding officers mainly manage voting and counting at polling units.

D: acquire and exercise power

Political parties primarily seek to acquire and exercise governmental power. Education and policy development support that central objective.

D: influence legislation for the benefit of their members

Pressure groups seek to influence public policy in favour of their members or causes. They generally pursue this through advocacy and lobbying rather than by becoming the governing party.

C: polling

Polling is a method for measuring public opinion. Intensity, substance and orientation describe characteristics of the opinions being measured rather than the measurement procedure.

A: Civil service commission

Civil service commissions exercise personnel responsibilities such as appointment and discipline within their jurisdiction. This supports professional administration rather than partisan recruitment.

D: Minister of defence

The Madawaki had military responsibilities, including command of the army and defence. Of these modern ministerial comparisons, Minister of Defence best describes that role.

B: Herbert Macaulay

Herbert Macaulay founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party in 1923. It participated in the limited electoral politics introduced under the Clifford Constitution.

C: 1963 constitution

The 1963 republican constitution replaced the independence settlement's monarchical head of state with a president while retaining parliamentary government. The presidential system came later.

C: ensuring fair representation of all states in the public service

The Federal Character Commission works to promote equitable representation across public institutions. Its mandate addresses the distribution of posts rather than routine dispute adjudication or general welfare services.

A: President

The president appoints the INEC chairman, subject to the constitutional consultation and Senate confirmation requirements. Senate confirmation is distinct from the power to make the appointment.

D: creation of states

Gowon's government created twelve states in 1967 from the former regions. This changed the regional structure and addressed demands for smaller constituent units.

B: governmental control

Privatization transfers ownership or control of a public enterprise to private investors. Governmental control over its business decisions is therefore reduced, although public regulation may continue.

C: supervise and manage the personnel of local governments

A local government service commission manages personnel matters such as appointments, promotion and discipline within its legal remit. Creating councils and conducting elections are separate institutional responsibilities.

A: 1993 elections

Option A4 was used in the 1993 electoral process as part of the transition programme. It involved an open selection procedure and is distinct from the later Fourth Republic elections.

B: decolonisation of all African Countries

Support for African decolonization has been a guiding theme of Nigeria's foreign policy. It reflects opposition to colonial domination rather than a general policy of interfering in other states.

A: Ibrahim Babangida

Nigeria established the Technical Aid Corps in 1987 during Ibrahim Babangida's administration. It deploys Nigerian expertise to partner countries as a form of development cooperation.

D: promote peace in Liberia

Nigeria offered Charles Taylor asylum as part of efforts to end Liberia's conflict and facilitate a political transition. That stated peace objective is distinct from controlling Liberia or defying other states.

D: Assisted the liberation struggle in Southern Africa

The frontline description reflected Nigeria's assistance to the Southern African liberation struggle. Its peacekeeping contributions elsewhere were distinct activities rather than the origin of this designation.

A: high commissioners

Commonwealth states generally exchange High Commissioners as heads of diplomatic missions. This title reflects the relationship between member countries rather than the specialized duties of an attaché.

B: League of Nations

The United Nations succeeded the League of Nations after the Second World War. SEATO, NATO and the Warsaw Pact were separate military alliances established later.

D: five

The UN Security Council has five permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. These are distinct from its ten elected non-permanent members.