JAMB UTME - Government - 1994

What is the major distinguishing characteristic between flexible and rigid constitutions?

Antwoorddetails

The major distinguishing characteristic between flexible and rigid constitutions is the amendment procedure. A flexible constitution is easily amended and changed through the ordinary legislative process, while a rigid constitution requires a more difficult and elaborate process for amendments. In a rigid constitution, the amendment process is often more difficult, requiring a special majority or a referendum to make changes to the constitution. This is meant to ensure that fundamental principles and values of the constitution are not easily changed, and that they reflect the will of the people. Conversely, a flexible constitution can be easily changed by the legislative process, which may be desirable for some countries that need to adapt to changing circumstances quickly.

The committee that recommended Abuja as the new Federal Capital was headed by

Antwoorddetails

The committee that recommended Abuja as the new Federal Capital was headed by Akinola Aguda.

The act of bringing a legislative session to an end only for business to continue later is called

Antwoorddetails

The act of bringing a legislative session to an end only for business to continue later is called "adjournment." This means that the members of the legislative body are taking a break from their session and plan to resume the discussion or debate at a later time or date. The decision to adjourn can be made by the presiding officer or by a vote of the members. It is different from prorogation, which is the formal end of a parliamentary session.

Which Nigerian was the executive secretary of the ECA?

Antwoorddetails

The executive secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) who is a Nigerian is Prof. Adeboyo Adedeji.

Which of the following traditional Nigerian societies practiced the system of checks and balances?

Antwoorddetails

The Yoruba traditional Nigerian society practiced the system of checks and balances. The Yoruba society was organized into several city-states, each with its own ruler and council of elders. The power of the ruler was checked by the council of elders, and the council of elders was checked by the ruler. The system of checks and balances ensured that no one person or group had too much power, and that decisions were made after careful consideration of different viewpoints.

Accountability in public office means that officers shall

Antwoorddetails

Accountability in public office means that officers shall be responsible for their actions and decisions, and they are required to explain and justify their decisions and activities to the public. This includes keeping proper records of state finances, rendering a good account of their activities, not accepting bribes and gratification, and declaring their assets periodically. Accountability is essential to promote transparency, prevent corruption, and ensure that public officials act in the public interest.

The first minority state to be created in the Nigerian federation was

Antwoorddetails

The first minority state to be created in the Nigerian federation was the Mid-Western Region. The region was created in 1963 from the Western Region and it was the first time a state was created solely on the basis of minority status. The Mid-Western Region was created in response to the agitation of minority ethnic groups in the Western Region who felt marginalized by the dominant Yoruba ethnic group. The creation of the Mid-Western Region was seen as a way of addressing the concerns of minority groups and promoting national unity.

Nationalist activities were earlier in British than in French West Africa because the

Antwoorddetails

Nationalist activities were earlier in British than in French West Africa because the French administrative policies did not allow for political agitation. In contrast to the British colonial policy, which allowed for some level of political participation and gave room for the emergence of educated elites who spearheaded nationalist movements, the French had a more centralized and authoritarian approach to governance. This made it difficult for political opposition to thrive, and hence delayed the emergence of nationalist movements in French West Africa.

Nigeria was regarded as a Frontline State because she

Antwoorddetails

Nigeria was regarded as a Frontline State because she assisted liberation struggles in Southern Africa. In the 1970s and 1980s, Nigeria played a key role in supporting the liberation struggles in Southern Africa, particularly in Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. Nigeria provided financial and military assistance to these countries to help them in their struggle against colonialism and apartheid. As a result of this support, Nigeria was regarded as a Frontline State in the fight against colonialism and apartheid in Africa.

One of the main functions of a political party is

Antwoorddetails

One of the main functions of a political party is interest aggregation. This means bringing together diverse opinions and interests of different individuals or groups and presenting them in a coherent manner. Political parties play a key role in the political process by presenting a platform of policies and programs to the electorate. They also mobilize voters and provide a channel for citizens to participate in the political process by joining the party, attending meetings, and volunteering for political campaigns. Political parties act as a bridge between the government and the people by presenting citizens' concerns and demands to the government, and also by explaining government policies and programs to the people. In summary, the main function of a political party is to aggregate the interests of its members and supporters and present them to the electorate in a coherent and appealing manner.

Constitutionalism means

Antwoorddetails

Constitutionalism refers to the principle of upholding and following the rules and guidelines set out in a constitution. It involves the respect for and adherence to the constitution, and ensuring that all actions of government officials and citizens are in line with the constitution. This includes following the electoral processes as stipulated by the constitution and adhering to voting rules and regulations.

One major constraint on the smooth operation of federalism in Nigeria is the

Antwoorddetails

Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared between the central (federal) government and the constituent units, such as states or provinces. In Nigeria, one major constraint on the smooth operation of federalism is the lack of an acceptable revenue allocation formula. This refers to the issue of how revenue from natural resources and taxes is shared among the federal, state, and local governments. The current formula has been a source of contention and has led to conflicts between the federal and state governments, as well as between different regions of the country. This has affected the ability of the federal system to promote equitable development and good governance across the country.

The 1976 Local Government Reforms has

Antwoorddetails

Which of the following countries is closely associated with the development of Ajaokuta Steel Project?

Antwoorddetails

The major difference between a state and a nation is that the latter presupposes a

Antwoorddetails

The major difference between a state and a nation is that a nation presupposes a homogenous population. A state is a politically organized community living under a single system of government while a nation refers to a group of people who share a common culture, language, history, or ethnicity. A nation-state is a country where the majority of the people share a common national identity. However, a state may be made up of people from different nations or ethnic groups, while a nation may span across multiple states. Thus, the key distinguishing feature of a nation is the homogeneity of its population.

A major negative impact of military intervention in Nigerian politics is the

Antwoorddetails

The major negative impact of military intervention in Nigerian politics is the politicization of the military. This means that military personnel, who are supposed to be apolitical and neutral in political matters, are drawn into political activities, leading to the erosion of professionalism and discipline within the military. This, in turn, leads to the use of the military to suppress dissent and opposition, resulting in human rights violations and abuse of power. Additionally, military intervention often leads to the disruption of democratic processes and institutions, as well as the misallocation of resources towards military expenditures, thereby hampering national development.

Switzerland is often cited as a classic example of a country with

Antwoorddetails

Which of the following best represents duties and obligations of government?

Antwoorddetails

The best representation of duties and obligations of government is the provision of public utilities. Public utilities refer to essential services such as electricity, water, transportation, and communication that are needed by citizens for their daily lives. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that these utilities are provided and maintained for the benefit of the citizens. This is a fundamental duty of government, as it directly impacts the quality of life of citizens and the overall development of the society. While the other options listed may also be important duties of government, the provision of public utilities is a critical obligation that must be prioritized.

A federal system of government has the following three advantages

Antwoorddetails

One of the basic differences between ministries and public corporations is that while ministries are not

Antwoorddetails

Ministries and public corporations are both entities within the public sector, but there is a fundamental difference between them. Ministries are government departments established to carry out specific functions of government. They are not established with specific statutes and are run by rules and regulations guiding the public service. On the other hand, public corporations are legal entities created by an Act of Parliament or a Decree. They are established with specific statutes and operate independently of the government in carrying out commercial or business activities. Therefore, the correct option is: "not established with specific statutes; public corporations are."

The Gulf War of 1990 is an indication that the UNO is unable to

Antwoorddetails

The power of a head of state to dissolve the legislature and order a general election is usually associated with the

Antwoorddetails

The power of a head of state to dissolve the legislature and order a general election is usually associated with the parliamentary system of government. In a parliamentary system, the head of state (usually a ceremonial figurehead) is separate from the head of government (the prime minister or premier), who is responsible for leading the legislature and forming a government. The head of government can request that the head of state dissolve the legislature and call for a general election, which is a way to refresh the political system and give the electorate an opportunity to select new representatives.

Which of the following violates the principle of the rule of law?

Antwoorddetails

The option that violates the principle of the rule of law is "arbitrariness of government policies". The rule of law is a fundamental principle of democracy, which implies that everyone, including the government, is subject to the law. This means that the government should be guided by clear and predictable rules, and its actions must be based on those rules. When the government acts arbitrarily, it disregards the rules and undermines the principle of the rule of law. It is important for governments to act within the limits of the law and not arbitrarily, to ensure that citizens' rights are protected and justice is served.

In British West Africa, the elective principle was first introduced in

Antwoorddetails

The principle of judicial independence makes sense only when judges

Antwoorddetails

The term, comprador bourgeoise has been used by scholars to describe

Antwoorddetails

The term "comprador bourgeoisie" has been used by scholars to describe Nigerian businessmen who represent foreign interests. The term originally comes from the Chinese context, where it was used to describe a class of merchants who acted as intermediaries between the colonial powers and the Chinese economy. In the Nigerian context, it refers to a similar class of businessmen who act as intermediaries between foreign investors and the Nigerian economy. These businessmen are often accused of being more loyal to their foreign patrons than to the Nigerian people, and of working to further the interests of foreign investors at the expense of the Nigerian economy.

Which organ was enshrined in the 1979 Constitution to protect public servants form political interference and arbitrary dismissal?

Antwoorddetails

Political power is naked force when it is exercised without

Antwoorddetails

Which of the following African countries receive Nigeria assistance to fight her war of independence in 1975/76?

Antwoorddetails

A court order compelling the executive or its agencies to produce and unlawfully detained person is called a writ of

Antwoorddetails

A court order that compels the executive or its agencies to produce and release an unlawfully detained person is called a writ of habeas corpus. This writ is a legal order that requires a person who is being detained to be brought before a court or judge. It is a fundamental right in many countries and is often used to protect individuals from being unlawfully detained or imprisoned by the government or its agencies. The writ of habeas corpus is a powerful tool to safeguard individual liberties and prevent abuses of power by the state.

In the 1963 Constitution, there was separation of powers between the

Antwoorddetails

The foreign affairs minister who advocated the concept of medium powers' was

Antwoorddetails

The foreign affairs minister who advocated the concept of "medium powers" was Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi. In the 1980s, Akinyemi, who served as Nigeria's Minister of External Affairs, argued that middle powers like Nigeria could play a significant role in global affairs by pursuing a foreign policy that prioritizes regional stability and economic development. He believed that Nigeria could help to lead the African continent by example and that African countries could become strong regional powers that could work together to address global issues. Akinyemi's concept of medium powers emphasized the need for smaller countries to find their voice in global affairs and contribute to shaping the international agenda.

The political party that replaced NNDP before independence was

Antwoorddetails

A society that is politically organized under a government is called a

Antwoorddetails

The essence of checks and balances is to

Antwoorddetails

The essence of checks and balances is to enhance the functioning of government and prevent arbitrary use of power. The system of checks and balances is a principle of governance that allows each branch of government to have some control over the other branches, thereby preventing any one branch from gaining too much power. This is important because it helps to prevent abuse of power by ensuring that no one person or group has too much authority. By having separate and distinct branches of government that are able to keep each other in check, it helps to ensure that the government is functioning in the best interests of the people it serves.

The Babangida administration's transition to civil rule programme officially started in

Antwoorddetails

An electoral process in which candidates for elective offices are selected by party members is known as

Antwoorddetails

An electoral process in which candidates for elective offices are selected by party members is known as a primary election. In a primary election, members of a political party choose their preferred candidate to represent the party in the general election. This is different from a direct election, where the electorate chooses their preferred candidate from a pool of candidates representing different political parties. An electoral college, on the other hand, is a group of people chosen by the political party to vote for the candidate that they think best represents the interests of the party. Preferential voting, also known as ranked choice voting, is a system where voters rank the candidates in order of preference, and the candidate with the most votes is declared the winner.

A thorny issue during the 1957/58 Nigerian constitutional conferences was the

Antwoorddetails

Apart from discussing the draft of the 1979 constitution, what was the major pre- occupation of the constituent assembly in 1978?

Antwoorddetails

The British prime minister who opposed the cancellation of Nigeria's debt was

Antwoorddetails

The British prime minister who opposed the cancellation of Nigeria's debt was Margaret Thatcher. Margaret Thatcher was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990. During her tenure, she took a hard-line approach to international debt relief and was widely criticized for her stance on the issue. In 1985, she opposed the cancellation of Nigeria's debt despite pressure from other countries and organizations. She argued that debt cancellation would set a bad precedent and encourage other countries to default on their debts.

A major feature whch differentiated the 1963 and 1979 constitutions was that in the former,

Antwoorddetails

The major feature that differentiated the 1963 and 1979 constitutions was that in the former, ministers were appointed from the national assembly, while in the latter, ministers were appointed from outside the national assembly. This means that in the 1963 constitution, members of the national assembly could also serve as ministers, while in the 1979 constitution, ministers had to be chosen from outside the assembly. This was seen as a way to promote professionalism and reduce the influence of the legislature over the executive branch of government.

In terms of administrative structure, which of the following sets of pre-cotonial Nigerian political systems do NOT match?

Antwoorddetails

Which of the following reasons best explains why Nigeria during the first republic, could not pursue an independent foreign policy?

Antwoorddetails

During Nigeria's first republic, Nigeria was unable to pursue an independent foreign policy because of its economic dependence on Western countries. Nigeria's economy was heavily dependent on the export of primary products such as crude oil, cocoa, and groundnut, which were mainly exported to Western countries. As a result, the Nigerian government was unable to take any decision that would have been detrimental to the economic interest of Western countries, which Nigeria relied upon for its foreign exchange earnings. Therefore, Nigeria's foreign policy was greatly influenced by its economic interests and this prevented it from pursuing an independent foreign policy.

Privatization and commercialization of public enterprises in Nigeria will lead to further entrenchment of

Antwoorddetails

Privatization and commercialization of public enterprises in Nigeria will lead to further entrenchment of capitalism. This is because the aim of privatization and commercialization is to transfer the ownership and control of public enterprises from the government to private individuals or organizations. In a capitalist system, the means of production, distribution, and exchange are owned and controlled by private individuals and organizations for profit-making. Therefore, privatization and commercialization will lead to a greater role of the private sector in the economy and a reduced role for the government.

The primary function of the Armed Forces of Nigeria s to

Antwoorddetails

The primary function of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is to promote and protect the security of the nation. This involves defending the country against external aggression, maintaining the territorial integrity of Nigeria, and protecting citizens and their property from internal security threats. The Armed Forces are responsible for safeguarding the sovereignty and national interests of Nigeria, and are authorized to use force when necessary to achieve these objectives. While they may participate in peacekeeping operations and protect the President and other senior officials, their primary function is to defend the nation and its citizens.

The principle brought to an end by his constituency is known as

Antwoorddetails

The principle brought to an end by his constituency is known as "recall." Recall is a political mechanism that allows voters to remove an elected official from office before their term is over. It is usually initiated by a petition from the voters in the elected official's constituency. Once a sufficient number of signatures are gathered, a recall election is held, in which voters decide whether or not to remove the official from office. Recall is intended to give voters more control over their elected representatives and hold them accountable for their actions while in office.

An economic system in which the major means of production are owned and controlled by a few individuals is called

Antwoorddetails

An economic system in which the major means of production are owned and controlled by a few individuals is called capitalism. In a capitalist system, private individuals and corporations own and control the means of production such as factories, land, and machinery, and use these resources to produce goods and services for sale in the market. The goal of capitalism is to generate profit for the owners and shareholders, who have a strong incentive to innovate and compete to increase their profits.

The major strategy used by OPEC to influence oil price is by

Antwoorddetails

An electoral system which restricts voting rights to only male adults is termed

Antwoorddetails

Which of the following best defines democracy?

Antwoorddetails

Democracy is a system of government in which power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives. The people have the right to participate in decision-making and to choose their leaders through free and fair elections. Therefore, the option that best defines democracy is "government based on the free consent of the governed".