WAEC Government 2021 Theory — Question 10

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.)