All 50 questions from the National Examinations Council (NECO) Government 2023 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
An act of renewing and rebounding democracy is through (a) civil society and pressure groups (b) legislature and parliamentary practices (c) general elections (d) presidential fiat
A. civil society and pressure groups
B. legislature and parliamentary practices
C. general electionsCorrect
D. presidential fiat
Explanation
A general election is conducted to change an outgoing government or office holder, making it possible to replace an old government, thereby renewing and rebounding democracy.
The greatest threat to democracy is (a) winner takes all and political vindictiveness (b) less development (c) lack of press freedom (d) economic and social inequality among people
A. winner takes all and political vindictiveness
B. less development
C. lack of press freedomCorrect
D. economic and social inequality among people
Explanation
Lack of a free press is a serious threat to any democracy, since a free press holds government accountable and keeps citizens informed.
A political structure in which the ruling position is open to all irrespective of one's background is known as (a) republicanism (b) federalism (c) cabinet system (d) monarchial system
A. republicanismCorrect
B. federalism
C. cabinet system
D. monarchial system
Explanation
Republicanism is a form of government in which the state is ruled by representatives of the people, and the ruling position is open to anyone irrespective of background, unlike a monarchy which is based on heredity.
The attitudes, beliefs, values and emotions of people which are projected or expressed in a political system is known as (a) political education (b) political culture (c) political environment (d) political sensitization
A. political education
B. political cultureCorrect
C. political environment
D. political sensitization
Explanation
Political culture refers to the widely shared beliefs, values and attitudes about the nature of political systems; types include parochial, subject and participant political culture.
What is the process through which an individual learns, acquires skills which help one to understand and evaluate the world of politics around? (a) civic management (b) political culture (c) political socialization (d) poor education
A. civic management
B. political culture
C. political socializationCorrect
D. poor education
Explanation
Political socialization is the process by which individuals learn and internalize the values, attitudes and skills of the political system around them.
Democratic systems, unlike military governments, are distinguished by the fact that A. a democratic system acknowledges the right of the individual and swears to protect it B. a military government also acknowledges these rights C. both systems suspend the constitution D. neither system respects individual rights
A. a democratic system acknowledges the right of the individual and swears to protect itCorrect
B. a military government also acknowledges these rights
C. both systems suspend the constitution
D. neither system respects individual rights
Explanation
A democratic system acknowledges the rights of the individual and swears to protect them, while a military government often suspends the constitution and infringes on fundamental human rights.
An electoral contest among the members of the same political party to elect candidates on the ticket of the party is referred to as (a) internal contest (b) primaries (c) bye election (d) electoral contest
A. internal contest
B. primariesCorrect
C. bye election
D. electoral contest
Explanation
Primary elections are conducted within a political party to determine its flag bearer/candidate, distinct from a bye-election, which fills a vacant post after death or recall.
Free and fair election can greatly be hampered by (a) age limit (b) lack of media coverage (c) vote buying (d) lack of political activities
A. age limit
B. lack of media coverage
C. vote buyingCorrect
D. lack of political activities
Explanation
Vote buying during elections prevents free, fair and credible elections, since voter inducement does not reflect the true popular opinion of the people.
What term is given to a composition of the various methods and techniques involved in the conduct of elections in a country? (a) Electoral system (b) electoral management Body (c) Universal Adult Suffrage (d) Franchise Process
A. Electoral systemCorrect
B. electoral management Body
C. Universal Adult Suffrage
D. Franchise Process
Explanation
The electoral system refers to the composition of the various methods and techniques used to conduct elections in a country.
Public opinion plays a major role in a democratic environment by ensuring (a) electoral victory of a political party (b) electoral accountability (c) peace and unity (d) respect for the government in power
A. electoral victory of a political party
B. electoral accountabilityCorrect
C. peace and unity
D. respect for the government in power
Explanation
Public opinion is the view of the people concerning government policies; it encourages accountability from political leaders in a democratic environment.
A body of electors chosen or appointed by a large group is referred to as (a) elite voters (b) electoral college (c) universal franchise holders (d) electoral system
A. elite voters
B. electoral collegeCorrect
C. universal franchise holders
D. electoral system
Explanation
An Electoral College is a set of electors who are selected/chosen by a large group to elect a candidate to a particular office.
Which institution of a democratic state influences the political behaviour of the citizens? (a) National House of Chiefs (b) Political parties (c) The Legislature (d) The Judiciary
A. National House of Chiefs
B. Political partiesCorrect
C. The Legislature
D. The Judiciary
Explanation
Political parties create awareness and sensitize the people about the political system, thereby influencing citizens' political behaviour.
Legitimacy of a political system is important in the following ways, except (a) it is a tool for suppression of the people (b) enables easy mobilization of resources (c) brings about stability (d) brings about acceptance of the political system
A. it is a tool for suppression of the peopleCorrect
B. enables easy mobilization of resources
C. brings about stability
D. brings about acceptance of the political system
Explanation
Legitimacy is the acceptance of a government by the people; it is not a tool for suppression, so option A is the exception (not a benefit of legitimacy).
The greatest setback when democratic governments are toppled is that (a) trade unions operate in fear (b) chiefs sit on the fence (c) media practitioners go underground (d) representation of the people suffer
A. trade unions operate in fear
B. chiefs sit on the fence
C. media practitioners go underground
D. representation of the people sufferCorrect
Explanation
When a civilian government is overthrown, it becomes illegitimate because it no longer reflects the popular choice of the people, so their representation suffers.
The chief Justice in a democratic system can only be removed from office on the grounds of (a) religion (b) proven misconduct (c) commentary on state of affairs (d) supreme court ruling in favour of a government
A. religion
B. proven misconductCorrect
C. commentary on state of affairs
D. supreme court ruling in favour of a government
Explanation
Any public office holder, including the Chief Justice, can only be removed on the basis of proven misconduct or abuse of office.
Local government operates by using (a) coercive power (b) mandate drawn from chiefs (c) self-imposed power (d) delegated power
A. coercive power
B. mandate drawn from chiefs
C. self-imposed power
D. delegated powerCorrect
Explanation
Local government exercises delegated power - authority/legislation given to it by extra legislative bodies (e.g. central/state government); laws made by local government are referred to as bye-laws.
The British Protectorate was governed through the (a) direct rule system (b) age grade system (c) council of elders (d) indirect rule system
A. direct rule system
B. age grade system
C. council of elders
D. indirect rule systemCorrect
Explanation
Britain adopted indirect rule, ruling her colonies through traditional rulers and intermediaries, while France adopted the direct rule system (assimilation).
One of the merits of the indirect rule policy was that the (a) natives were exempted from taxation (b) natives were guaranteed full employment (c) customs and traditions of the people were respected (d) educated elites were made part of the administration
A. natives were exempted from taxation
B. natives were guaranteed full employment
C. customs and traditions of the people were respectedCorrect
D. educated elites were made part of the administration
Explanation
Under indirect rule, the existing culture and traditions of the people were respected and retained, unlike the policy of assimilation, which abolished local culture.
The French colonial policy towards its West African Colonies was negative in that (a) African institutions and customs were disrespected (b) trade was skewed in favour of the rich (c) Education was limited to only Europeans (d) Africans were exported to France
A. African institutions and customs were disrespectedCorrect
B. trade was skewed in favour of the rich
C. Education was limited to only Europeans
D. Africans were exported to France
Explanation
French colonial policy showed disregard for the customs and traditions of the people, unlike the British indirect rule policy.
One of the functions of the Executive Council in the British Colonial Administration was that it (a) declared war on deviant indigenous (b) scrutinized the selection and installation of chiefs (c) recommended the sanction of erring chiefs (d) advised the Governor on matters of policy
A. declared war on deviant indigenous
B. scrutinized the selection and installation of chiefs
C. recommended the sanction of erring chiefs
D. advised the Governor on matters of policyCorrect
Explanation
The Executive Council was comprised mainly of white officials, and played only an advisory role to the Governor on matters of policy.
The chiefs were still relevant in the colonial era by way of (a) supporting the Europeans to fight the people (b) advising the colonial administration on how to govern (c) preserving native laws, customs and traditions (d) leading the people to war and espionage mission
A. supporting the Europeans to fight the people
B. advising the colonial administration on how to govern
C. preserving native laws, customs and traditionsCorrect
D. leading the people to war and espionage mission
Explanation
Chiefs remained relevant during the colonial era by helping to maintain and preserve the customs and traditions of the people.
Post-World War II Nationalism took a new form characterized by (a) debates and sectorial movement (b) militancy and boisterous demands (c) exchange of ideas with British Crown (d) respect for traditional institutions
A. debates and sectorial movement
B. militancy and boisterous demandsCorrect
C. exchange of ideas with British Crown
D. respect for traditional institutions
Explanation
World War II was the trigger that angered nationalists, leading to a new, more militant and boisterous form of nationalism demanding independence.
One of the notable features of Post-World War II Nationalism was that (a) people from all walks of life came together for a common cause (b) some nationalists fought more than others and became popular (c) people became more concerned about their cultural identity (d) violent activities of civil society organization took centre stage by killing Europeans
A. people from all walks of life came together for a common causeCorrect
B. some nationalists fought more than others and became popular
C. people became more concerned about their cultural identity
D. violent activities of civil society organization took centre stage by killing Europeans
Explanation
Post-WWII nationalism after independence was geared towards uniting people from all walks of life together for the common cause of independence.
Which of the following is NOT a problem faced by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)? (a) language barriers among member states (b) similar/competing commodities produced by member states (c) porous borders and smuggling (d) all of the listed items are recognised problems of ECOWAS
A. language barriers among member states
B. similar/competing commodities produced by member states
C. porous borders and smuggling
D. all of the listed items are recognised problems of ECOWASCorrect
Explanation
Language barriers, member states producing similar/competing commodities, and porous borders/smuggling are all recognised problems faced by ECOWAS.
The Commonwealth of Nations is best described as (a) a military alliance of world powers (b) an association of former British colonies (c) a trading bloc limited to Europe (d) a religious organization
A. a military alliance of world powers
B. an association of former British coloniesCorrect
C. a trading bloc limited to Europe
D. a religious organization
Explanation
The Commonwealth of Nations is an association of independent countries, most of which are former British colonies.
A sovereign state's goals and ambitions, whether economic, military, cultural or otherwise, in its interaction with other nations of the world are referred to as (a) state diplomacy (b) norms of foreign policy (c) need theory of state (d) national interest
A. state diplomacy
B. norms of foreign policy
C. need theory of state
D. national interestCorrect
Explanation
National interest is the goal that any sovereign state pursues in its interactions with other nations of the world.
A critical challenge currently facing the United Nations (UN) is the issue of (a) global warming (b) child labour (c) illegal mining (d) globalization
A. global warmingCorrect
B. child labour
C. illegal mining
D. globalization
Explanation
Global warming - a gradual, long-term increase in the average temperature of the Earth's atmosphere due to the greenhouse effect - is a critical challenge facing the UN.
One of the negative political effects of the interdependence of states is (a) technology transfer (b) erosion of state sovereignty (c) cultural exchange (d) proliferation of media
A. technology transfer
B. erosion of state sovereigntyCorrect
C. cultural exchange
D. proliferation of media
Explanation
Interdependence among states often leads to an erosion of individual state sovereignty, as states must accommodate the interests of others.
Foreign policy rides on the back of (a) democracy (b) military might (c) diplomacy (d) regional alliance
A. democracy
B. military might
C. diplomacyCorrect
D. regional alliance
Explanation
Diplomacy is the activity or skill of managing international relations, typically carried out by a country's representatives abroad, and foreign policy is largely executed through diplomacy.
Enshrining fundamental human rights in a country's constitution is important mainly because it (a) prevents government from abusing power and upholds the rights of the people (b) guarantees economic prosperity (c) eliminates political parties (d) ensures a one-party state
A. prevents government from abusing power and upholds the rights of the peopleCorrect
B. guarantees economic prosperity
C. eliminates political parties
D. ensures a one-party state
Explanation
Enshrinement of fundamental human rights in the constitution is meant to prevent the government from abusing power and to uphold the rights of the people.
A nation, unlike a state, lacks which of the following attributes? (a) population (b) government (c) territorial integrity (d) sovereignty
A. population
B. government
C. territorial integrity
D. sovereigntyCorrect
Explanation
A nation possesses attributes such as permanence, government, population and territorial integrity, but does not possess sovereign status, unlike a state.
An alien is best described as someone who (a) belongs to and owes allegiance to another country (b) is a native-born citizen (c) has full political rights in the host country (d) cannot legally reside in any country
A. belongs to and owes allegiance to another countryCorrect
B. is a native-born citizen
C. has full political rights in the host country
D. cannot legally reside in any country
Explanation
An alien is someone who belongs to and owes allegiance to another country, unlike a citizen, who is an inhabitant/native who owes allegiance to a government and is entitled to its protection.
A fascist regime is a political system in which (a) government controls the lives of the people and disagreement is not tolerated (b) citizens freely choose their leaders (c) power is shared equally among all citizens (d) there is no central authority
A. government controls the lives of the people and disagreement is not toleratedCorrect
B. citizens freely choose their leaders
C. power is shared equally among all citizens
D. there is no central authority
Explanation
A fascist regime is a political system in which government controls the lives of the people, who are not allowed to disagree with the government.
A local government is administered by (a) the state governor directly (b) a local government council consisting of a chairman and elected councillors (c) traditional rulers only (d) the national legislature
A. the state governor directly
B. a local government council consisting of a chairman and elected councillorsCorrect
C. traditional rulers only
D. the national legislature
Explanation
A local government is administered by a local government council consisting of a chairman and other elected members who are referred to as councillors.
Newspapers served as a major channel through which nationalists in colonial West Africa (a) organized armed rebellion (b) collected colonial taxes (c) agitated for inclusion in government and later independence (d) established trade unions only
A. organized armed rebellion
B. collected colonial taxes
C. agitated for inclusion in government and later independenceCorrect
D. established trade unions only
Explanation
Newspapers served as a major channel through which nationalists spread their message and agitated for inclusion in government and later independence, e.g. the Lagos Daily by Herbert Macaulay (1925) and the West African Pilot by Nnamdi Azikiwe (1937).
The term used by the British to refer to their overseas dependent territories, emphasizing the control the monarchy (crown) had over their administration, was (a) protectorate (b) mandate territory (c) trust territory (d) crown colony
A. protectorate
B. mandate territory
C. trust territory
D. crown colonyCorrect
Explanation
Crown colony was a term used by the British to refer to their overseas dependent territories, emphasizing the control the monarchy (crown) had over their administration.
In British colonial administration, the body that assisted the governor in administering the colonial territory by making laws was the (a) executive council (b) legislative council (c) native authority (d) house of chiefs
A. executive council
B. legislative councilCorrect
C. native authority
D. house of chiefs
Explanation
The legislative council assisted the governor in administering the colonial territory, primarily through law-making.
The activities of nationalist movements inculcated in the youth (a) apathy towards politics (b) the spirit of patriotism which led to agitation for independence (c) loyalty to colonial masters (d) disinterest in national affairs
A. apathy towards politics
B. the spirit of patriotism which led to agitation for independenceCorrect
C. loyalty to colonial masters
D. disinterest in national affairs
Explanation
Nationalist activities inculcated in the youth the spirit of patriotism, which led to agitation for independence.
The principle in international law which states that colonial powers could only acquire rights over colonial lands if they possessed or had effective control over them is called the principle of (a) self-determination (b) sovereign equality (c) effective occupation (d) non-interference
A. self-determination
B. sovereign equality
C. effective occupationCorrect
D. non-interference
Explanation
The principle of effective occupation stated that colonial powers could only acquire rights over colonial lands if they possessed them or had effective occupation over them.
If the powers of the three organs of government (executive, legislature and judiciary) were placed under one person or a body of persons, there is the likelihood of (a) greater cooperation (b) power struggle (c) effective coordination (d) dictatorship, as separation of powers no longer checks abuse
A. greater cooperation
B. power struggle
C. effective coordination
D. dictatorship, as separation of powers no longer checks abuseCorrect
Explanation
Separation of powers prevents abuse of human rights and dictatorship; if all three powers are vested in one person or group, that individual/group is likely to become a dictator.
The civil service is controlled in all of the following ways except (a) judicial control (b) control by foreign governments (c) press control (d) ministerial/executive control
A. judicial control
B. control by foreign governmentsCorrect
C. press control
D. ministerial/executive control
Explanation
The civil service is controlled through judicial control, parliamentary/ministerial control, press control and executive control, but not by foreign governments.
A major difference between civilian and military governments is that the civilian government is (a) upright and just (b) hostile to the military (c) financially prudent (d) accountable to the people
A. upright and just
B. hostile to the military
C. financially prudent
D. accountable to the peopleCorrect
Explanation
Civilian regimes are accountable to the people because they are elected by the people, unlike military governments.
One of the legal ways through which political parties can raise money for their activities is through (a) fund raising (b) money laundering (c) corporations and labour organizations (d) foreign nationals
A. fund raisingCorrect
B. money laundering
C. corporations and labour organizations
D. foreign nationals
Explanation
Political parties legally fund their activities through fund raising, selling of party emblems, and donations by party members, among other legitimate means.
Traditional rulers can assist local government authorities in their development agenda by (a) pitching the youth against the authorities (b) mobilizing human and material resources (c) organizing demonstrations (d) preserving the customs of the people
A. pitching the youth against the authorities
B. mobilizing human and material resourcesCorrect
C. organizing demonstrations
D. preserving the customs of the people
Explanation
Traditional rulers can assist local government authorities in their development agenda by mobilizing human and material resources for local development projects.
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