WAEC Government 2021 Theory Past Questions

Model answer

i. A system of electing and replacing government. ii. Popular participation by citizens in government: democracy promotes popular participation, allowing citizens to be more active and participate in the governance of their country. iii. Protection of Fundamental Human Rights/enjoyment of Fundamental Human Rights: democracy guarantees the fundamental rights of the citizen as entrenched in the constitution of the country. iv. Practice of Rule of Law: democracy upholds the tenets of rule of law and it must be adhered to strictly. v. Freedom of Assembly/Association: citizens have the rights to belong to any group or association of their choice. vi. There is protection of minority rights. vii. Free, fair and periodic elections: election is conducted regularly and periodically for smooth change of government, e.g. elections conducted every four years in Nigeria. (Also: multi-party system, existence of a constitution, separation of powers/checks and balances, majority rule, accountability and transparency in governance.)

Model answer

i. Constitutional limitations: the supremacy of the constitution of a country coupled with observation of the rule of law can serve as a limitation to the supreme power of a state. No individual or public officer acts contrary to the provision of the constitution. ii. The rule of law guides against arbitrary rule. iii. Separation of powers and checks and balances. iv. International conventions and agreements: international laws and agreements (treaties) signed with other sovereign states and foreign bodies constrain government from acting contrary to internationally agreed standards. v. Customs and traditions of the people: regard for traditions and customs of a particular community in a state can restrain the state from exercising its sovereign power. vi. Regulatory enforcement mechanisms. vii. Consent of the governed/political sovereignty: the popular sovereignty of the electorate to decide who should be their leaders during elections may serve as a constraint to a government in taking certain decisions. viii. Vibrant independent media: criticizes government policies and actions and disseminates information to the public about government actions and policies. ix. A vibrant opposition: political opposition serves as a check on the ruling party. x. Judicial independence/judicial review. xi. Fear of impeachment/vote of no confidence.

Model answer

i. For the purpose of fair judgments: judicial independence enables judges to discharge their duties discriminately/impartially, i.e. they should be neutral to all parties. ii. To uphold the democratic principle of accountability. iii. To prevent arbitrary acts/rule: this is to prevent abuse of power by officials in government. iv. Protection of individual rights/group rights: an independent judiciary protects the liberty/rights of citizens from being oppressed/infringed upon. v. For the maintenance of the Rule of Law: judicial independence is necessary to promote strict observance of the rule of law, in line with the country's constitution. vi. For fair and just constitutional interpretation: the judiciary serves as independent arbiter for the interpretation of the constitution and other laws. vii. Ensures checks and balances in a constitutional government. viii. Judicial independence is necessary to ensure free and fair elections. (Also: to prevent arbitrary disqualification of party/candidates from contesting elections, to ensure public/national interest prevails against selfish interest of individuals or groups, to enable judges to perform their duties without fear or favour, to ensure public confidence in the judiciary, to insulate the judiciary from partisan politics, to ensure judicial professional integrity.)

Model answer

i. Serves as a guide to political parties in drawing their manifesto. ii. It gives direction to government actions/decisions. iii. It ensures accountability and transparency in government. iv. It is a device for effective control of the government. v. Influences public policy formulation and implementation. (Also: serves as medium to give feedback to government in power, allows for citizens participation in government process, allows for freedom of expression on the part of citizens, assists in the promotion of the rights and freedoms of citizens, government uses it to secure support for its policies and programmes, serves as a major source of law-making, guides the undecided voter to choose the right candidate, tests the popularity of the government in power, assists to change previously held positions and attitudes of government/institutions.)

Model answer

i. Setting standards by the state/central government to regulate the activities of local government authorities. ii. Accountability mechanism, e.g. local complaints unit. iii. Effective communication/debate on local needs and projects. iv. Citizens' participation in local governance. v. Effective coordination, supervision and monitoring of local government projects by an oversight committee. (Also: legislative/parliamentary control by legislature approving local government bye-laws, periodic audit of accounts, public control through criticism, judicial control by declaring bye-laws unconstitutional, scrutiny of procurement processes, threats of dissolution, executive/administrative control, withholding/reducing grants, directives by the state/central government, control by the press, appointment and dismissal of local government officials, control by public complaints commission/ombudsman.)

Model answer

(a) Institutions in Yoruba pre-colonial political system of administration: i. The Royalty (Afin). ii. The Kingmakers (Oyomesi). iii. Cult (Ogboni). (Also: The Osi Efa, The Oni Efa, The Otun Efa, Army (Are onakankanfo).) (b) Checks and balances in Yoruba pre-colonial political system: i. Taboo: meant to curb some unethical practices among the chiefs. ii. Oath of office: this is done to guarantee loyalty among the chiefs. iii. The traditional three arms of government (Oba/Oyomesi/Ogboni) checked one another. iv. The oracle (Ifa) made predictions and advised on precautionary measures. (Also: an occult calabash (igba-iwa) to check mate abuse of power by the Oba, impeachment/dethronement, exile/banishment, boycotts, suicide by erring chiefs/Obas, revolts/demonstrations against autocratic Oba.)

Model answer

i. Vestiges of colonialism, as the Queen remained the constitutional Head of State. ii. The Judicial Committee of the British House of Lords in London was still the highest Court of Appeal. iii. The constitutional making process was not entirely undertaken by Nigerians. iv. The constitution failed to specify the number of ministers to be appointed. v. The constitution failed to address important political issues such as minority right political integration. (Also: the constitution did not state that its provisions were supreme, the constitution made the Prime Minister accountable to parliament but not the people, the constitution encouraged carpet-crossing which affected party loyalty, the constitution granted excessive powers to the legislature leading to abuse of power, the constitution did not state whether appointment into public offices were to be based on federal character.)

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i. There is the problem of insecurity among nations of the world; almost all nations are battling with either terrorism or bandits. ii. Lack of clear definition of national interest. iii. Global insecurity, e.g. terrorism/insurgency. iv. Members belong to many international organizations with conflicting demands. v. Ideological differences among nations. (Also: smuggling across Nigerian borders, increase in crime rates by some foreign nationals, influx of refugees and its impact on the economy, unclear border demarcation among states, trade imbalance/unfair global trade, difficulty in accessing foreign direct investment and foreign loans, brain drain syndrome, hostilities of some countries towards Nigerian citizens, human trafficking and illicit drug trading across borders, Nigeria becoming a dumping ground for inferior foreign goods.)

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i. There is improvement in the health care system, e.g. cases of child birth reduced drastically. ii. It also introduced Western civilization to Africa. iii. Development of infrastructure such as roads and railways. iv. Encouraged food security by introducing new crops. v. Political development, i.e. the formation of political parties and elective principles, which championed the struggle for independence. (Also: colonialism reduced poverty to some extent through donations and foreign aid, literacy through education, colonialism encouraged the development of nationalism in Africa, it enhanced defensive networks, it helped eliminate some inhuman practices such as killing of twins and human sacrifices, introduction of money economy replacing barter, common legal system, creation of modern/larger political units from previously existing kingdoms/emirates, establishment of the civil service, emergence of the press, establishment of trade relations with colonial masters, establishment of a common Central Bank for West Africa.)

Model answer

i. The constitution was suspended: the first thing they do when they get to power is to suspend the constitution of the country. ii. Parliament was dissolved. iii. They rule by decrees/edicts. iv. Freedom of the press was curtailed/restricted by the military to prevent the media from disseminating appropriate information to the public. v. In most cases, fundamental human rights of the people were disregarded/abused/infringed upon by the military government; citizens could be punished unduly or without being tried in a court of law. (Also: rule of law was disregarded, the constitution has been suspended so there is no room for rule of law, establishment of kangaroo courts/tribunals, citizens did not receive fair trial/justice from military tribunals, all democratic institutions were suppressed/dissolved, culture of violence among citizens, military tendency to hang on to power, detention of political opponents, execution of opponents of the military regime, lack of accountability and transparency, intolerance of all forms of opposition, replacing popularly elected officials with appointed officials, banning of all forms of political activities, counter coups/instability.)