JAMB UTME - Government - 2010

Nation-State is synonymous with sovereignty. This is so when we realize the fact that sovereignty is the absolute power of the state to exercise supreme legal authority over its own affairs within its territory without any form of external control.

A state has a definite geographical territory in which it is situated and has boundaries. It is sovereign, independent and a republic. It has also a human population who inhabit the given area.

On the other hand, a nation, like a state is a collection of people who live in a definite geographical area and has a sovereign government.

Nigeria was classified as a front line state for supporting the liberation efforts in Southern Africa. During the apartheid era in South Africa, Nigeria was one of the African countries that strongly opposed the system and actively supported the anti-apartheid movements in Southern Africa. Nigeria provided financial and material assistance to the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa and other anti-apartheid groups in the region. The country also provided scholarships and training for many African students, including those from South Africa, who were denied education by the apartheid regime. As a result of its prominent role in supporting the liberation struggles in Southern Africa, Nigeria was classified as a front line state.

In a true democracy in the modern sense, the majority of the people rule. This means that the power to make decisions and govern the country is held by the people as a whole, either directly or through elected representatives. The people have the right to vote and participate in the decision-making process, ensuring that the government reflects the will of the people. It is not based on the rule of the elite or a small group of elected representatives.

Parastatals are established to render social services. These are agencies or organizations owned by the government but operate like a private business, providing social services such as healthcare, education, electricity, transportation, and more. They are set up to improve the quality of life of citizens by providing essential services that the government alone cannot provide. The primary goal of parastatals is not to maximize profits but to serve the public interest by ensuring that basic social services are accessible to all, particularly those who may not be able to afford them in the private sector.

A state that is ruled by an elected citizen is called a republic. In a republic, the citizens of the state elect representatives to exercise power on their behalf. These representatives may be elected to specific roles such as the head of state or government, or to a legislative body that makes decisions on behalf of the people. The elected leaders in a republic are chosen through democratic processes and are accountable to the citizens they represent.

In theory, one major advantage of the one-party system is that it serves as an instrument of national integration. A one-party system is a form of government in which a single political party holds the power and controls the government. This system is often associated with countries that have a history of instability or are transitioning from colonial rule to independence. In such cases, the one-party system can promote national unity by suppressing regional, ethnic, or religious differences that may lead to conflict. By creating a single, unified political entity, the one-party system can provide a sense of stability and direction for the country. This can also make it easier for the government to implement policies and programs aimed at promoting economic development and social progress. However, it should be noted that in practice, one-party systems have been criticized for being undemocratic and limiting political freedom, which can ultimately stifle progress and development.

One of the major functions of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS is appointing the Executive Secretary.

Other functions are as follows.

1. Amendment of the charter,

2. Approval of agreements and treaties

3. Decision making

4. It approves the recommendations of the council of ministers, etc.

The principle of separation of powers is best practiced in the presidential system. In this system, there are three separate branches of government: the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary. Each branch has its own specific responsibilities and powers, and the constitution ensures that no one branch becomes too powerful. The president, who is the head of the executive branch, is separate from the legislative branch, which is made up of elected representatives. Additionally, the judiciary is an independent branch responsible for interpreting the law. This system allows for a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no one branch has too much power, which is a fundamental principle of the separation of powers.

A typical form of delegated legislation is a bye-law. Delegated legislation is the process by which the legislature delegates its law-making authority to other bodies, such as government agencies or local authorities. Bye-laws are a form of delegated legislation that are made by local authorities, such as city councils or district councils, to regulate activities within their jurisdictions. Bye-laws can cover a wide range of issues, including public health, safety, and environmental concerns. For example, a local council may create a bye-law that prohibits smoking in public parks or sets rules for the use of public spaces. Bye-laws are often created in response to local needs or concerns and can be enforced by the local authority through fines or other penalties.

In a parliamentary system, when the legislsses a vote of no confidence on the executive.it means that the executive is required to resign.

One of the features of parliamentary system of government is use of vote of no confidence. Here, it is seen that the parliament can use ''vote of no confidence'' to force the Prime Minister and his cabinet ministers to resign en-bloc.

One of the strong points of the multiparty system in Nigeria's Fourth Republic is "wider political participation". The multiparty system allows for the formation of different political parties that represent diverse interests, opinions, and ideologies. This gives citizens the opportunity to choose from a range of options when selecting their preferred political candidates or parties. The existence of multiple parties also ensures that no one party or individual dominates the political landscape, thus promoting healthy competition and checks and balances. With a wider range of options, citizens have the freedom to choose leaders who they believe will best represent their interests, which helps to promote a more inclusive democracy.

Nigeria broke diplomatic relations with France in 1961 because of France's atomic test in the Sahara Desert. France conducted a series of nuclear tests in the Sahara, which was a former French colony, without consulting the Nigerian government, leading to tensions between the two countries. Nigeria, along with other African countries, condemned the tests and cut diplomatic ties with France in protest. It was seen as a major milestone in the fight for African sovereignty and the end of colonialism in the continent.

The system in which the power of the component units is more than that of the central government is called a confederal system. In a confederal system, the central government has limited power and authority over the component units, which retain most of the decision-making power. The component units, such as states or provinces, have greater autonomy and are able to make their own laws and policies without interference from the central government. Confederal systems are often formed by independent states or regions that come together for a specific purpose, such as defense or trade. These systems are characterized by a loose alliance between the component units, and decisions are often made through consensus rather than through a centralized authority. Examples of confederal systems include the European Union and the former Confederate States of America during the American Civil War. In contrast, federal systems like the United States and Canada, have a more balanced distribution of power between the central government and component units, while unitary systems like France and Japan, have a more centralized government with limited powers given to component units. Monarchical systems have a king or queen as the head of the state, but their power may vary depending on the country's specific political structure.

France introduced the policy of assimilation in her colonies primarily to change the way of life of the colonized people. This was an attempt to make them more French-like and to integrate them into French society by promoting French language, culture, customs, values and institutions. The policy aimed to make the colonized people French in every aspect and to gradually erase their indigenous culture and way of life. The ultimate goal was to make the colonies an extension of France itself.

Nigeria Council was the first law-making body in Nigeria after amalgamation .

After the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorate in 1914, Lord Lugard established the Nigerian Council. This existed side by side with legislative council of the colony of Lagos. The council consisted of 36 members which was made up of 23 European officials, and 13 non-official members of which 7 of them were Europeans and 6 Nigerians.

The council was merely an ''advisory-talking-drum. Its advice could be taken or dropped at the discretion of the governor who had a veto power.

The legislative body of the United States of America is the Congress. Congress is made up of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House of Representatives is the lower chamber, while the Senate is the upper chamber. Together, they are responsible for creating and passing laws in the United States.

An attribute that Nigeria shares with most non-aligned countries is the state of her economy.

Many African countries including Nigeria are characterized by poor economic development. Because of this, they rely on either of the power blocs for assistance. For instance transfer of technology.

Most non-aligned countries including Nigeria are primary producers. Because of this, they depend on any of the power blocs for their manufactured goods. For instance, massive importation of vehicles of various types into Nigeria and other non-aligned countries are heavily indebted to some of the countries in either of the power blocs.

The foremost British trading company on the West African coast was the United African Company (UAC). UAC was a trading company established by the British in 1879, and it was responsible for the exploitation and exportation of West Africa's raw materials. UAC dominated trade in the region for many years, dealing in products such as palm oil, palm kernels, groundnuts, and rubber. The company had a significant impact on the development of the West African economy and was a major player in the colonial era.

The designation of ministers as chief executives and accounting officers was recommended by a commission headed by Dotun Phillips.

The structure of the civil service as contained in that of General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.) is hereby shown below as recommended by the Dotun Philips Civil Service Review Panel of 1985.

''The Minister/Commissioner was the Chief executive and accounting officer rather than the Permanent Secretary as it had hitherto existed '' The post of the Permanent Secretary was politicised and called Director-General.

The head of Nigeria's foreign mission in a Commonwealth nation is known as a "high commissioner." A high commissioner is an official representative of one Commonwealth country to another, with similar functions to an ambassador, who represents a country in a non-Commonwealth nation. They are responsible for representing the interests of their country, promoting trade and investment, and maintaining good diplomatic relations with the host country.

One of the general tenets of fascist doctrine is that a leader is supreme relative to the constitution. This means that the leader has absolute power and authority and is not bound by the laws and regulations of the state. The leader is seen as the embodiment of the nation and is expected to act in the best interest of the state, even if it means violating the constitution or other laws. This idea of a strong, authoritarian leader who has the power to act decisively and without restraint is a central component of fascist ideology. It often leads to the suppression of individual freedoms and the subordination of the rule of law to the will of the leader.

A fundamental component of political culture is social values. Political culture refers to the shared beliefs, values, attitudes, and practices that shape the behavior of individuals and groups within a society. Social values, in this context, are the beliefs and attitudes that people hold about the proper role of government, the nature of democracy, and the relationship between citizens and the state. These values are shaped by the social and cultural experiences of individuals and are passed down from generation to generation. Examples of social values that may shape political culture include the importance of individual freedom, equality, justice, and the rule of law. The influence of social values on political culture can be seen in the way people vote, the policies they support, and the political movements they join.

Armed Forces Ruling Council was the highest organ of the state during Babangida Regime.

This was introduced to replace the Supreme Military Council. (SMC)

Pressure groups are organizations that try to influence government policies and decisions by putting pressure on decision-makers. Lobbying is a tactic employed by pressure groups to achieve their objectives. Lobbying involves using various methods such as personal meetings, emails, letters, phone calls, and other forms of communication to influence policymakers and decision-makers to support the goals of the pressure group. Lobbyists often use their expertise, knowledge, and information to persuade lawmakers and other officials to take actions that align with the interests of the group they represent. Therefore, the answer to the question is lobbying.

The upper house in most federal systems is created to prevent excesses of the executive.

Bicameralism makes it difficult for the executive to dominate the two chambers.

The Aro age-grade system in Igbo land was a political organization. The Aro were a powerful group in the eastern part of Nigeria, and their age-grade system was used to govern their society. The Aro age-grade system was made up of groups of people who were born in the same year, and each group was responsible for specific duties in the community. They were involved in everything from settling disputes to collecting taxes. The Aro also played a key role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, acting as middlemen between European slave traders and African slaves.

The Independence Constitution is the constitution that granted Nigeria independence in 1960. One of its major weaknesses is that it failed to provide the country with full sovereignty. The constitution granted Nigeria independence from Britain but still retained some ties and influence from Britain, such as the ability to appeal to the Privy Council in London. This limited Nigeria's ability to fully exercise its independence and sovereignty.

A major shortcoming of the Ombudsman is lack of executive power to enforce decisions.

One of the limitations of the powers of the Ombudsman is that it has no powers of the enforcement of its investigations and decisions it has taken. It can only investigate and recommend.

The tenure of non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council is 2 years. These non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly for a term of two years and can be re-elected for a second consecutive term if they receive enough votes. After their term is over, they must wait for at least one year before being eligible for re-election. The Security Council has a total of 15 members, including five permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) and 10 non-permanent members. The non-permanent members are elected on a regional basis, with five seats allocated to African and Asian countries, one seat to Eastern European countries, two seats to Latin American and Caribbean countries, and two seats to Western European and other countries.

The main purpose of establishing public enterprises in Nigeria is to provide essential services to the public. Public enterprises are government-owned businesses that are established to provide services that are considered necessary for the public good, such as transportation, energy, healthcare, and education. The goal of these enterprises is to ensure that these services are accessible and affordable to everyone, including those who may not be able to afford the prices charged by private sector companies. While some public enterprises may generate revenue for the government, their primary purpose is to serve the public interest rather than to compete with the private sector or enrich government officials.

A major contentious issue confronting Nigerian Federalism is revenue allocation. Revenue allocation refers to the process of distributing revenue generated by the federation among its constituent units (states and local governments) according to a specified formula. There have been constant agitations by various regions and states for a review of the revenue allocation formula, with some arguing that the current formula is unfair and does not take into account the population and resource endowment of each state. This has led to frequent calls for restructuring of the Nigerian federation to address this issue and ensure equitable distribution of resources among the various regions and states.

Public opinion can be measured through a referendum. A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal or issue. It is a tool used to measure the views of the general public on important issues affecting them. Other methods such as surveys and polls can also be used to measure public opinion, but referendums provide a more direct and tangible way of measuring the opinion of the general public. Negotiation, strike action, and rumour are not methods of measuring public opinion, but rather ways in which the public expresses their opinions.

The rights of a citizen can be withdrawn by the state if the person is convicted of a serious crime. This means that if a citizen is found guilty of a serious offense, the state can take away some or all of their rights as punishment. These rights may include the right to vote, the right to free speech, the right to own property, and so on. This is done to ensure that citizens do not abuse their rights and to maintain law and order in the society.

The main function of the civil service is to implement government policies. Civil servants are responsible for the day-to-day management of government programs and services. They work in various departments and agencies, and are responsible for ensuring that government policies are implemented effectively and efficiently. Civil servants are expected to be politically neutral and to serve the government of the day, regardless of which party is in power.

The set of policies that guide how countries interact with each other is called "foreign policy". Foreign policy includes a country's strategies, actions, and decisions regarding its relationships with other nations, international organizations, and global issues. It encompasses a range of areas such as diplomacy, trade, defense, aid, and cooperation. Foreign policy is important for countries to achieve their national interests and maintain peace and stability in the world.

Nigeria teamed up with other developing countries to assert a neutral posture under the platform of the Non-aligned Movement. The Non-aligned Movement is a group of countries that decided not to align themselves with any major power blocs during the Cold War. They sought to assert their independence and sovereignty by maintaining a neutral stance in global affairs. The movement was founded in 1961 and included countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Nigeria, along with other developing countries, saw the movement as a way to assert their independence and promote their economic and political interests without being forced to align themselves with any major power.

The prominent role Nigeria played in the UN in the 70's earned her permanent representation at the UN.

Leslie Harriman was then appointed the chairman of the Special UN Committee against apartheid.

The political head of the Old Oyo Empire was called the Alaafin. This was the supreme ruler who had the final say in all matters relating to governance, justice, and religious affairs. The Alaafin was considered the custodian of the customs and traditions of the people of the Old Oyo Empire and was responsible for maintaining peace and stability within the kingdom. The Bashorun, Aremo, and Oyomesi were also important officials in the Oyo Empire, but the Alaafin held the highest political authority.

Nigeria's membership of the United Nations (UN) complements her foreign policy in the area of multilateral diplomacy. This means that Nigeria is able to engage with other countries in various parts of the world through a collective forum provided by the UN. As a member of the UN, Nigeria has a platform to express her views on issues of international concern, such as peace and security, human rights, and economic development. This platform also allows Nigeria to collaborate with other countries on a range of issues, including conflict resolution, disaster management, and sustainable development. Through the UN, Nigeria is able to participate in the formulation and implementation of global policies that affect the interests of the country and its citizens.

In a cabinet system of government, executive power is exercised by the head of government. This person is usually the Prime Minister or the Premier who is the leader of the political party that controls the majority of seats in the legislature. The head of government is responsible for leading the executive branch of government, which is responsible for implementing policies and carrying out day-to-day administration of the country. The head of government also serves as the chief spokesperson for the government, represents the country on the international stage, and plays a major role in shaping the legislative agenda.

The parliamentary system of government is the system where the ceremonial and executive powers are fused. In this system, the head of state, who is usually a monarch or a president with ceremonial powers, and the head of government, who is the prime minister with executive powers, are part of the same institution (parliament). This means that the prime minister is accountable to the parliament for the actions of the government, and can be removed from office by a vote of no confidence. The parliamentary system is different from the presidential system of government, where the head of state and head of government are separate institutions.

A form of oligarchy in which gifted people are at the helm of affairs is aristocracy.

Aristocracy is seen as a form of government in which the best citizens rule. In most cases people of noble birth or wealth usually rule. It is believed that they possess the best qualities for leadership.

An electoral process in which candidates are chosen for public office by members of a political party is called a "primary election." In a primary election, registered members of a political party are given the opportunity to vote for their preferred candidate to represent their party in a general election. The winner of the primary election then becomes the official candidate for the political party in the general election. Primary elections are used by many countries, including the United States, to ensure that political parties select candidates who have the support of their members and are representative of their party's views and values.

Nigeria spearheaded the formation of ECOWAS during the regime of Yakubu Gowon.

The Economics Community of West African States (ECOWAS) emanated from a bilateral meeting between Nigeria and Togo under the leadership of General Yakubu Gown and General Gnasingbe Eyadema respectively. This very meeting resulted in trade agreements between the two countries in 1972. In 1973, the Council of Ministers of the defunct Economic Integration. This noble idea of the Council of Ministers of defunct O.A.U later metamorphosed into the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The ECOWAS treaty was signed in Lagos on May 28, 1975 by fifteen West African States.