All 50 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Government 2019 Objective paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
The constitutional power given to the judiciary to interpret legislative acts, executive and administrative actions and to declare its constitutionality or otherwise is
A. judicial power
B. separation of powers
C. judicial reviewCorrect
D. administrative processes
Explanation
The term 'Judicial Review' refers to the power of the courts/judiciary to declare any act or action of the executive and/or legislature as illegal, unconstitutional or ultra-vires. In other words, it is the power of the judiciary to invalidate any act of the other organs of government which are deemed to have violated the provisions of the constitution.
The ultimate duty of a citizen is to demonstrate his/her
A. allegiance to the sovereign
B. loyalty to the stateCorrect
C. respect for the national flag
D. contribution to government expenditure
Explanation
A citizen is a legal member of a state. The ultimate duty of any citizen to his/her state is loyalty to the state. Thus, it is expected that a citizen should be loyal to his/her state and respect the constituted authority of the state.
Conventions and usages are age-long practices or norms of a particular society which have, over time, become part of the laws of the society. These conventions and usages are drawn from traditions and customs. It is important to note that an Unwritten Constitution is partly based on conventions and usages.
The body responsible for the execution of the policies of government is the
A. pressure Group
B. civil serviceCorrect
C. constitutional conference
D. Electoral commission
Explanation
The civil service, which is an arm of the executive arm of government, is responsible for the implementation of the policies and programmes of the government. Those working in the civil service are career bureaucrats whose tenure does not end with that of the government. The civil service, especially its senior officials, also helps in policy formulation and offers advice to the government in power.
The electorate refers to those citizens of a country that are eligible to vote in an election. In other words, it refers to those that are qualified to vote in a country.
One of the following is a characteristic of a unitary government
A. Heterogeneous society
B. Homogeneous societyCorrect
C. communal society
D. feudal society
Explanation
A unitary state is where there is one level of government and centralization of political power. Features of unitary states include: centralization of power, small population, and homogenous population. Examples of unitary states are Ghana, Israel, and France.
A mass party is the type of political party that is not discriminatory in terms of its membership — its members cut across the different strata of society: rich and poor, educated and uneducated, elite and common citizens. Thus, a mass party is a broad-based party.
Who among the following provided the detailed work on sovereignty?
A. Jean BodinCorrect
B. Fredrick Engels
C. Balaji Akinyemi
D. Thomas Hobbes
Explanation
Sovereignty is the supreme power of a state to make and enforce rules over the people within its territory. The theory of sovereignty was popularized by Jean Bodin in 1576.
Political socialization is the process of acquiring the political beliefs and values of a particular society. Some of the agents of political socialization are: family, peer group, pressure group, school, religious institutions, and mass media.
The confederal system of government is unpopular because
A. the government operates oligarchy system
B. it does not follow due process
C. it discourages rapid development
D. all the component units are sovereignCorrect
Explanation
A confederal government is a loose political union between or among two or more independent entities. A confederal state is not popular because each of the component units is sovereign and can pull out of the confederal arrangement at will, thereby leading to incessant political instability.
Local government is the closest government to the people. It is the political sub-division of a state, often referred to as the third-tier government in Nigeria. One purpose of local government is that it encourages political participation by the people at the grassroots.
C. aims and objectives for a wider appeal to the electorate
D. means by which governments ascertain public reactions to their policiesCorrect
Explanation
Pressure groups, also known as interest groups, are groups that seek to influence government policies in the interest of their members. Examples of pressure groups are CAN, ASUU, NUT, NUJ, NURTW etc.
In a presidential system of government, legislative approval is not necessary for the
A. appointment of supreme court judges
B. rectification of treaties
C. granting of pardons
D. appointment of civil servantsCorrect
Explanation
The appointment of civil servants does not require legislative approval, unlike the appointment of supreme court judges, treaty ratification, and (in some systems) the granting of certain pardons.
The following are the reasons widely espoused for military intervention and rule in West Africa except
A. tribalism and nepotism
B. inordinate ambition of soldiers
C. maladministration
D. religionCorrect
Explanation
Reasons commonly cited for military intervention in politics include bad governance, political crises, coups in neighbouring countries, external factors, and tribalism. Religion is not typically cited as a reason for military intervention in politics.
Which of the following electoral systems is ideal for a heterogeneous society?
A. simple majority
B. Preferential ballot
C. Non-transferable vote
D. proportional representationCorrect
Explanation
A heterogeneous society is composed of people with diverse cultures and backgrounds. The most preferable electoral system for a heterogeneous society is proportional representation, as it allows all shades of opinion and groups to be represented in government.
D. stating the functions and limitations of leadersCorrect
Explanation
A constitution refers to the rules, principles, laws etc. by which a state is governed. It contains the functions and powers of government, as well as the limitations of those powers.
Impeachment is used by the legislature in a presidential system of government to remove the Head of the executive arm (President or Governor) from office.
Which of the following is a function of the party whip?
A. flogging erring party members
B. ensuring that the members tow the party positionCorrect
C. ensuring the safety of the speaker
D. assessing the performance of the law makers
Explanation
A party whip is the official in the legislature whose duty is to ensure that members of a particular political party vote according to the party's position on issues tabled before the parliament.
The major problem facing electoral management in West Africa is
A. lack of qualified personnel
B. poor communication network
C. foreign interference
D. electoral malpracticeCorrect
Explanation
Electoral malpractice — including rigging, violence, and other fraudulent practices — remains one of the most significant challenges facing electoral management in West Africa, as it undermines the credibility of elections.
The features of a state include all the following except
A. government
B. territory
C. societyCorrect
D. population
Explanation
A state is a politically organized group of people occupying a defined geographical territory. The features of a modern state include: government, territory, sovereignty, population, diplomatic recognition, and permanence — not 'society' as a distinct feature.
To facilitate movement of people from one-member state to another, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has
A. created several border posts within member states
B. waived visa requirement for citizens of member countriesCorrect
C. created one currency for all member countries
D. maintained regional peace and security through deployment of forces
Explanation
Visa requirements are not needed for citizens of any ECOWAS member-state travelling within the sub-region, in line with ECOWAS's objective of ensuring free movement of people across the sub-region.
Which state institution serves as a link between the government and the people?
A. office of the president
B. the civil serviceCorrect
C. the judiciary
D. the church
Explanation
The civil service serves as a link between the government and the governed by helping to implement government policies and also helping to convey relevant information from the people to the government and vice versa.
The media play a vital role in the political environment in that, it
A. articulates the views of individualsCorrect
B. incites people to be lawless
C. projects individuals above the state
D. articulates the views of the ruling party
Explanation
The media comprise all the news outlets used for the purpose of information dissemination. The media help to articulate — that is, express — the views of the people in a political system.
Military might is a major determination of a country's
A. independence
B. democracy
C. foreign policyCorrect
D. wealth
Explanation
Foreign policy refers to the principles guiding a country's interactions with its external environment. One of the determinants of a country's foreign policy is its military strength and capability.
The major role of minority parties in parliament is to
A. criticize every government policy
B. ensure democratic governanceCorrect
C. monitor the activities of the president
D. supervise the passage of bills
Explanation
Minority parties in parliament play the role of an opposition that helps ensure democratic governance, by scrutinizing government policy and holding the ruling party accountable.
The Commonwealth of Nations is an intergovernmental organization of former British colonies or countries with political links with Britain. Its headquarters is located in London.
The following are benefits member countries derive from Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) except
A. economic co-operation
B. larger market
C. military assistance
D. free portsCorrect
Explanation
ECOWAS is a sub-regional international organization established in 1975 to promote economic integration among West African countries. Benefits derived by member-states include a large market and economic cooperation. Free ports are not part of the benefits derived from ECOWAS membership.
Which of the following is not an obligation of a citizen?
A. payment of taxes
B. voting in an election
C. protecting public property
D. attending religious gatheringCorrect
Explanation
Obligations are actions that are mandatory for a citizen to perform in the state; these include voting in elections and paying taxes. Attending religious gatherings is not an obligation of a citizen.
The implementation of indirect rule was supervised by the
A. chiefs and council of elders
B. British officialsCorrect
C. spirituals leaders of the land
D. educated elite
Explanation
Indirect rule was the administrative policy adopted by the British in some of her colonies, involving administration of the people through their traditional rulers and institutions. Its implementation was supervised by British officials such as District Officers and Residents.
The electronic and print media make their views heard on national issues through
A. public notice
B. advertisement
C. documentary
D. editorial commentaryCorrect
Explanation
Editorials or editorial commentaries are the platforms used by news media to articulate or express the position or views of that media on burning national issues.
Any type of restricted franchise is a violation of the principle of
A. constitutionalism
B. sovereignty
C. political equalityCorrect
D. popular election
Explanation
Franchise is the right to vote and be voted for. A restricted franchise requires citizens to meet certain stringent criteria before they can vote or be voted for (e.g. property franchise, male franchise), which negates the democratic principle of political equality.
Public corporations can operate in a more efficient manner if they are
A. free from political interferenceCorrect
B. controlled by the judicial service commission
C. under the head of the civil service
D. controlled by the military
Explanation
Public corporations are enterprises established by Acts of Parliament to provide essential services at a reduced cost. One of the problems facing public corporations is undue and incessant interference in their operations by political office-holders; freedom from such interference improves efficiency.
The agency responsible for fulfilling the purpose of the states is
A. governmentCorrect
B. pressure group
C. public corporation
D. media
Explanation
Government is the machinery or agency through which the will of the state is formulated, expressed and realized. In other words, the functions of the state are performed by the government.
Political sovereignty, otherwise known as popular sovereignty, is the ultimate political decision-making power vested in the electorate, through which they choose who governs them. This is usually exercised through voting at elections.
The removal of government direct control and monopoly in manufacturing and service sectors is called
A. privatizationCorrect
B. specialization
C. commercialization
D. decentralization
Explanation
Privatisation is when government divests from a public corporation and hands over the ownership, control and management of a public enterprise to private individuals or groups.
Nationalist agitation in British West Africa after the World War II led to the
A. disregard for traditional rulers who supported the British
B. formation of political partiesCorrect
C. killing of administrative officials
D. cooperation of the ex-servicemen with the government
Explanation
Nationalism in post-World War II led to the formation of political parties in most parts of British West Africa. These parties were at the forefront of the fight against colonialism and the call for political independence.
An African-American who contributed greatly to the growth of nationalism in West Africa was
A. Martin Luther King
B. Jesse Jackson
C. Nelson Mandela
D. William Du BoisCorrect
Explanation
Du Bois, an African-American, was one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909, and contributed to Pan-African and nationalist movements.
Which of the following is not a component of political culture?
A. norms
B. ageCorrect
C. Beliefs
D. Attitudes
Explanation
Political culture is made up of norms, beliefs, attitudes and values that shape political behaviour in a society. Age is a demographic characteristic, not a component of political culture.
The following were checks on the powers of Chiefs during the pre-colonial era except
A. British officialsCorrect
B. Kingmakers
C. council of elders
D. Age grade
Explanation
Pre-colonial period refers to the period before the coming of European colonialists into Africa; there were no British officials during the pre-colonial era. Traditional checks on chiefs' powers included kingmakers, councils of elders, and age grades.
A common feature of pre-independence constitutions of British West African Colonies was the
A. existence of separation of powers
B. governors' membership of both the Legislative and Executive CouncilsCorrect
C. adoption of federalism
D. establishment of Council of Elders
Explanation
Most pre-independence constitutions in British West African colonies provided that the governor should be a member of both the legislative and executive councils.
Which of the following features of Indirect Rule contributed immensely to Nationalism in British West Africa?
A. establishment of native treasuries
B. the appointment of resident district commissioners
C. establishment of the native courts
D. exclusion of the educated elitesCorrect
Explanation
Because of their exclusion from the colonial government under indirect rule, the educated elite were at the forefront of the agitation against colonialism in British West Africa, and their exclusion contributed immensely to the rise of nationalism.
The first inter-territorial association organized by some educated African elite in the Gold Coast was the
A. Aborigines' Rights Protection Society (ARPS)
B. National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA)Correct
C. Movement of Educated Elites in West Africa's (MEEWA)
D. West African Frontier Forces (WAFF)
Explanation
The National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) was established by educated elites from British West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone and The Gambia). It was led by Ghanaian lawyer Caseley Hayford and held its first conference in Accra in 1920.
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