WAEC SSCE - Government - 2017 (Essay)

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(a) Meaning of a simple majority system

A simple majority system, also called the first-past-the-post or plurality system, is an electoral method in which the candidate who scores the highest number of votes cast in a constituency is declared the winner, whether or not that number amounts to more than half of the total votes. The winner need only secure more votes than any other single candidate; he does not need an absolute majority (more than fifty per cent) of all votes cast.

(b) Four demerits of the system

1. It can produce a minority winner: Where several candidates contest, the winner may be elected with far less than half of the total votes, so that a majority of voters actually voted against the winner.
2. It wastes many votes: All votes cast for the losing candidates count for nothing, so a large section of the electorate ends up with no representative of its choice.
3. It does not ensure fair representation: A party may win a large share of the national vote yet secure very few seats, so seats won do not accurately reflect the votes obtained.
4. It encourages a two-party dominance: Small parties find it difficult to win seats, which discourages minority parties and narrows the range of choice for voters.

Another demerit is that it may encourage electoral malpractice and gerrymandering, since only a plurality is needed to win a seat.

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Five ways the central government can improve the local government system in West Africa

1. Adequate and regular funding: The central government should grant local councils a statutory share of national revenue and release such funds regularly and promptly, so that they have the resources to provide services and execute development projects.
2. Granting greater autonomy: Reducing excessive control and interference by the central and state governments in the affairs of local councils would allow them to plan, take decisions and perform their functions more freely and effectively.
3. Training of personnel: Government should establish training institutions and organise regular staff-development programmes to equip local government workers and officials with the skills and competence needed for efficient administration.
4. Enlarging the scope of functions and powers: Assigning clearly defined and meaningful responsibilities to local councils, backed by law, would strengthen their relevance and enable them to serve their communities better.
5. Ensuring democratic elections into councils: Government should guarantee regular, free and fair elections into local government offices instead of appointing caretaker committees, so that councils are accountable and responsive to the people.

Other measures include curbing corruption through effective auditing and supervision, and providing infrastructure and logistical support to the councils.

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(a) Meaning of rights

Rights are the legitimate claims, freedoms and privileges which a citizen is entitled to enjoy within a state, and which are recognised and protected by law. They are the entitlements that enable an individual to develop his personality and participate fully in the political, social and economic life of the community. Examples include the right to life, freedom of speech, freedom of movement and the right to vote and be voted for.

(b) Four limitations on the rights of a citizen

1. The rights of others: A citizen's rights end where the rights of other citizens begin; one may not exercise a right in a way that injures or infringes the equal rights of fellow citizens.
2. Public safety, order and morality: Rights may be curtailed in the interest of public peace, health, safety and decency, for example restrictions on unlawful assembly or obscene publications.
3. State security and emergency: During war, insurrection or a declared state of emergency, government may lawfully suspend or restrict certain rights such as freedom of movement in order to protect the state.
4. Court sentence or lawful detention: A person convicted by a competent court or lawfully detained loses certain rights, such as personal liberty and freedom of movement, for the duration of the sentence.

Other valid limitations include defamation and contempt of court laws, and laws protecting the reputation and rights of others.

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Five contributions of Nigeria towards the growth of ECOWAS

1. Role in the formation of the community: Nigeria, alongside Togo, played the leading role in initiating and founding ECOWAS through the Treaty of Lagos in 1975, and Lagos hosted the signing of the treaty.
2. Hosting of the Secretariat: Nigeria provided a home for major organs of the community, with the Executive Secretariat sited in Abuja, and gave logistical support to its running.
3. Major financial contributor: Nigeria bears the largest share of the community's budget, paying substantial financial contributions that keep the organisation and its programmes running.
4. Peacekeeping efforts: Nigeria took the lead in forming and funding ECOMOG, the community's monitoring group, and contributed the bulk of the troops that restored peace in war-torn member states such as Liberia and Sierra Leone.
5. Promotion of free movement and economic cooperation: Nigeria championed and implemented the protocol on the free movement of persons, goods and services, opening its borders and markets to nationals of member states and encouraging regional trade.

Nigeria has also provided energy and technical assistance to member states and given diplomatic leadership to strengthen unity within the sub-region.

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(a) Difference between a de jure and a de facto one-party system

A de jure one-party system is one in which the existence of only one political party is legally and constitutionally established. Here the law expressly forbids the formation or operation of any other party, so that the single party is the only party recognised and permitted by the constitution, as was the case in some socialist states.

A de facto one-party system, on the other hand, is one in which, although the constitution and law permit the formation of more than one party, in practice only one party dominates and effectively rules the state. Other parties may legally exist but are so weak, ineffective or absent that a single party controls power in fact though not in law.

(b) Four advantages of a multi-party system

1. It provides the electorate with a wide choice: Voters can choose among several parties and candidates offering different programmes, thereby making a more meaningful choice.
2. It offers an effective opposition: Rival parties check the party in power, criticise its policies and expose its errors, thereby curbing the abuse of power and dictatorship.
3. It promotes and protects democracy: The presence of many parties encourages debate, popular participation and the peaceful competition for power that are essential features of a democracy.
4. It provides an alternative government: Should the ruling party fail or lose an election, another party is ready to form the government, ensuring continuity and stability.

Other advantages include the wider representation of diverse interests and opinions, and greater accountability of the government to the people.

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Functions of the Ogboni Secret Society in the pre-colonial Yoruba political system

The Ogboni (Osugbo in some areas) was a powerful cult of elders and titled men that acted as a check on the Oba and played a central role in Yoruba governance. Its functions included the following:

1. Judicial function: The Ogboni served as the highest court of justice, trying serious cases, especially those involving bloodshed (homicide), and settling major disputes within the community.
2. Check on the Oba's powers: It acted as a restraint on the authority of the Oba, guarding against tyranny and the abuse of power by the monarch.
3. Selection and installation of the Oba: The society took part in choosing a new Oba from the ruling houses and in the rites of his installation.
4. Removal of a bad Oba: Where an Oba became despotic or unacceptable, the Ogboni could reject him and convey to him the order to abdicate or commit suicide, thus removing a tyrannical ruler.
5. Legislative and advisory function: The society deliberated on important matters of state and advised the Oba and the council of chiefs on the making of laws and major decisions.
6. Religious and custodial function: As a cult that worshipped the earth deity, it performed religious rituals and served as custodian of the customs, traditions and moral order of the community.

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(a) Meaning of foreign policy

Foreign policy refers to the set of principles, objectives and strategies which a state adopts and pursues in its dealings and relationships with other states and international organisations, in order to protect and promote its own national interest. It is the guiding framework that determines how a country conducts its external relations in areas such as diplomacy, trade, defence and international cooperation.

(b) Four factors that influence Nigeria's foreign policy

1. National interest: The overriding desire to protect Nigeria's security, sovereignty, economic well-being and the welfare of its citizens shapes the direction of its external relations.
2. Geographical location: Nigeria's position in West Africa and its size have made it emphasise good neighbourliness and leadership in African and West African affairs, such as the promotion of ECOWAS.
3. Economic factors: The state of the national economy, especially dependence on oil exports and the need for trade, investment and foreign exchange, strongly influences the policies Nigeria pursues abroad.
4. Ideology and public opinion: The country's commitment to Africa as the centrepiece of its policy, anti-colonialism and non-alignment, together with the views of the citizens and the press, guide its foreign policy decisions.

Other influencing factors include military strength, historical and colonial ties, and the personality and disposition of the leaders in power.

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(a) Meaning of a legitimate government

A legitimate government is one that has come to power in accordance with the accepted rules, laws and constitutional procedures of a state, and which is therefore recognised and accepted by the majority of the people as the rightful authority entitled to make and enforce laws. Its right to rule flows from the consent of the governed, usually expressed through a free and fair electoral process, and it exercises power lawfully rather than by force or fraud.

(b) Four features of legitimacy

1. Consent of the governed: The government enjoys the willing acceptance and support of the majority of citizens, who regard its authority as rightful and binding on them.
2. Constitutionality: The government is formed and operates in strict conformity with the provisions of the constitution and the established laws of the land.
3. Free and fair elections: Those in power attain office through a credible electoral process in which citizens freely choose their leaders, giving the government a genuine popular mandate.
4. Legal exercise of power: The authority of the government is derived from and limited by law, so that its actions are lawful, and obedience to it is regarded as a moral and civic duty rather than mere submission to force.

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Five contributions of Herbert Macaulay to the political development of Nigeria

1. Founding of the first political party: In 1923 he founded the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP), the first modern political party in Nigeria, which introduced organised party politics into the country.
2. Winning elective seats: Through the NNDP he mobilised voters and won the elective seats into the Lagos Legislative Council created under the Clifford Constitution of 1922, demonstrating the value of the franchise to Nigerians.
3. Founding the NCNC: In 1944 he joined forces with Nnamdi Azikiwe to form the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), a nationwide nationalist movement that fought for self-government, and he became its first president.
4. Use of the press for enlightenment: He established and used the Lagos Daily News to criticise oppressive colonial policies, educate the people politically and awaken national consciousness.
5. Championing the rights of the people: He defended the interests of Nigerians against colonial injustice, notably taking up the Eleko affair (the deposition of Oba Eshugbayi Eleko) and other cases, thereby resisting arbitrary colonial rule.

For these efforts he is widely regarded as the father of Nigerian nationalism.