All 10 questions from the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Government 2022 Theory paper, with the correct answer and a full explanation for each. Free, no signup needed.
SECTION A — ELEMENTS OF GOVERNMENT
1. Identify five reasons for which citizens lose trust in government.
Model answer
Reasons for which citizens lose trust in government:
i. Widespread corruption in government
ii. High level of unemployment
iii. High cost of living/high rate of inflation
iv. State of insecurity e.g. armed robberies, kidnappings, terrorist attacks, banditry
v. Widespread poverty
vi. Inability to provide social services/social amenities e.g. education, roads, health
vii. Extravagance/opulence on the part of government officials
viii. Arrogance of power by public officers
ix. Disregard for constitutionalism/Rule of Law
x. Victimization of political opponents
2. In what five ways can the electoral management body ensure fair play in an electoral contest in Nigeria?
Model answer
Five ways the electoral management body can ensure fair play in an electoral contest in Nigeria:
i. It should be truly neutral in its operations
ii. Stakeholders should be involved in all the electoral processes
iii. It should compile credible and updated voters' register
iv. Adequate provision of election materials
v. Adequate training of electoral officers and assigns
vi. Provision of transparent ballot boxes
vii. Ensure adequate security at the polling stations
viii. Undertake regular and effective voter education
ix. Open counting of ballots at polling booths/units/centres
x. Avoidance of gerrymandering
3. Highlight five negative impacts on a state should the judiciary fail to live up to its constitutional mandate.
Model answer
Five negative impacts on a state should the judiciary fail to live up to its constitutional mandate:
i. State of lawlessness and recklessness
ii. Abuse of right and liberties of citizens
iii. Loss of confidence in the judiciary/justice delivery system
iv. Upsurge in corrupt practices
v. Increase in crime rate
vi. Erodes investor confidence in the state
vii. The life and security of personnel of the judiciary is put at risk
viii. Credibility of the judiciary suffers/it creates credibility crises for the judiciary
4. Identify five differences between the state as an entity and government as an institution.
Model answer
Five differences between government as an institution and the state:
i. A state has a permanent status; Government on the other hand is transient. It comes and goes.
ii. It is a territorial association of people with defined boundaries; Government is an administrative institution of the state.
iii. Membership of a state is compulsory; Membership of a government is optional.
iv. A state is an abstract concept; Government and its officials are tangible.
v. A state is a larger entity; Government is relatively a smaller institution within the state.
vi. A state depends on the government to carry out its activities; Government is the machinery through which the functions of the state are performed.
vii. The state is sovereign; Government is not sovereign.
viii. States are identical in their features; Governments differ from state to state.
ix. The emergence of the state has different theories; While emergence of government has one central justification.
x. Every state possesses a legal status/constitution; Whereas government in power enforces the constitution.
xi. A state is a fixed entity; Whereas government and its officials are not fixed.
5. Explain five reasons for the decline in the public trust of the media in your country.
Model answer
Five reasons for the decline in the public trust of the media in your country:
i. Politicization of the media/perceived partisanship of the media
ii. Marginalization of the opposition parties and members
iii. Unrepresentative of minority views/opinions
iv. Affiliation of the media with the ruling government
v. Employment of media personalities by the government
vi. Inaccurate reportage of events and developments by the media
vii. Upsurge in the reportage of fake news
viii. High level of unprofessional conducts by media practitioners/media houses
ix. Perceived corruption of media practitioners
x. Encouraging actions that are threats to national security
SECTION B — POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN WEST AFRICA AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
(Answer two questions only from this section)
6. Identify five ways in which traditional rulers controlled their subjects in pre-colonial Nigeria.
Model answer
Five ways in which traditional rulers controlled their subjects in pre-colonial Nigeria:
i. Through their intermediary role as representatives of the gods
ii. Powers to appoint and dismiss officials
iii. Adjudication of laws/settlement of disputes
iv. Rewards/honour
v. Enforcement of customs, traditions and conventions
vi. Punish law breakers/deviants in society/banishment of criminals
vii. Organize and supervise communal labour
viii. Imposition of levies/taxes
ix. Law making functions
x. Formulation and implementation of policies
7. Outline five significant provisions of the 1989 Third Republican Constitution which deepened the democratic development of Nigeria.
Model answer
Five significant provisions of the 1989 Third Republican Constitution which deepened the democratic development of Nigeria:
i. Provided for the establishment of traditional councils to promote the culture of the people
ii. Reduced the age for elective positions with the aim of increase political participation
iii. Recall of political office holders in the legislature to make them accountable, responsive and responsible to the people
iv. Creation of federal executive bodies led to job creation and better service delivery
v. Supremacy of the constitution to prevent dictatorship
vi. Abuja was created as the seat of government to emphasize the federal character
vii. Centralization of constitutional functions and fiscal resources
viii. Entrenchment of Fundamental Human Rights to provide adequate protection for the rights of the people
ix. Entrenchment of separation of powers
x. Retention of the Supreme Court as the highest court of the land
8. Highlight five benefits which the adoption of federalism has brought to the political development of Nigeria.
Model answer
Five benefits which the adoption of federalism has brought to the political development of Nigeria:
i. Governance is well-defined and made easier as spelt out in the constitution
ii. Local issues receive prompt attention from the local government
iii. Issues of diversities and plurality are addressed by the Constitution
iv. It has offered protection to the minority groups/interest
v. Citizens feel a part of the political process and system/sense of belonging
vi. It ensures the protection of Nigeria against external attack
vii. Agricultural issues are addressed
viii. State governors have better understanding of their states, powers and functions
ix. The system allows for effective checks and balances between the centre and components units
x. It has encouraged local initiative
9(a) What is meant by E-Government?
(b) Explain five benefits which Nigeria stands to gain in adopting E-Governance.
Model answer
(a) E-Government refers to the use of information and communication technology (ICT) by government to deliver public services, share information, and interact with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government electronically.
(b) Five benefits which Nigeria stands to gain in adopting E-Governance:
i. Enhanced transparency and accountability in government transactions
ii. Reduction in bureaucracy/red-tapism in accessing government services
iii. Improved efficiency and speed of service delivery
iv. Reduction in corruption through reduced human interface
v. Greater citizen participation and engagement in governance
vi. Cost savings in government operations
vii. Improved data management and record keeping
10. Highlight five compelling reasons for which Nigeria interacts with international organizations.
Model answer
Five compelling reasons for which Nigeria interacts with international organizations:
i. To attract foreign investment and economic assistance
ii. To promote and protect its national interest on the global stage
iii. To benefit from technical/technological cooperation and capacity building
iv. To maintain international peace and security through collective action
v. To promote trade and economic cooperation with other nations
vi. To access grants, loans and developmental aid
vii. To enhance its diplomatic relations and influence in international affairs
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