JAMB UTME - Government - 2002

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The Security Council of the United Nations (UN) is criticized for having exclusive veto power, which means that any of its five permanent members (USA, UK, China, France, and Russia) can block any substantive resolution, even if it has the support of the majority of the council. Critics argue that this veto power undermines the democratic principles and the representative nature of the UN. It has also been accused of allowing the interests of powerful countries to dominate the decision-making process, while the voices of smaller, less powerful nations are silenced.

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Maintaining confidence in the electoral process requires ensuring that elections are conducted in a free and fair atmosphere. This means that the electoral process must be transparent and credible, with no room for manipulation, intimidation, or any form of electoral malpractice. When citizens have confidence that the electoral process is free and fair, they are more likely to participate in the process and accept the outcome, even if their preferred candidate or party does not win. This helps to promote peace and stability, and strengthens democracy.

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Proportional representation is a system of allocating seats in the legislature based on the total votes received by each political party in an election. In this system, the number of seats a party gets in the legislature is proportional to the number of votes it received in the election. This means that if a party gets 40% of the total votes cast in an election, it will get 40% of the seats in the legislature. This system aims to ensure that the representation in the legislature is proportional to the support each party receives from voters, giving smaller parties a better chance of being represented.

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Professor Ibrahim Gambari is the Special Assistant to the United Nations Secretary General on the Economic Commission of Africa

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The final interpretation of the provisions of a federal constitution is vested in the highest court of the land. In a federal system of government, the constitution is the supreme law of the land, and all other laws and government actions must be in conformity with it. As disputes arise over the interpretation or application of the constitution, the responsibility for resolving such disputes falls on the judiciary. The highest court of the land, usually the Supreme Court or its equivalent, is responsible for interpreting the provisions of the constitution and ensuring that all other branches of government comply with it. The court has the final say on the meaning and scope of the constitutional provisions, and its decisions are binding on all other branches of government. Therefore, the highest court of the land is vested with the responsibility of giving the final interpretation of the provisions of a federal constitution.

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Nigeria's membership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is informed by her desire to promote economic integration in the West African sub-region. The organization was established in 1975 to promote economic cooperation and integration among its member states, with the goal of creating a common market and ultimately a common currency. As the most populous country in West Africa and one of its largest economies, Nigeria has played a leading role in the organization and has been instrumental in the development of its various programs and initiatives aimed at promoting economic growth and regional integration.

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Nigeria formally became a federation 1946.

It should be noted that the 1946 constitution only laid foundation for federalism. The constitution charged the provinces to three regions of North, East West regional assemblies without legislative powers.

In 1951, the Macpherson Constitution gave legislative powers on specific issues to the regional governments.

The true federalism was then established in 1954 by the Oliver Lyttleton Constitution with the division lists between the Central and the Regional governments.

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The impact of the Commonwealth of Nations is felt most in the area of economic cooperation.

Nigeria suffered much hardship by the time she was suspended by the Union in 1997 as she was accused of violating the Fundamental Human Rights of Individuals.

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In pre-colonial Igbo society, decisions on public issues were mainly reached through consensus. Consensus refers to a general agreement among members of a group to a particular decision or solution to a problem. In Igbo society, decisions were made through the participation of everyone in the community, and discussions continued until a unanimous decision was reached. The emphasis on consensus was based on the belief that everyone in the community was equal and had a say in important decisions that affected their lives. The oracles, imposition, and majority votes were not the primary means of decision-making in pre-colonial Igbo society.

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The Ibadan Conference of 1950 was a meeting of Nigerian political leaders, convened by the British colonial government to discuss the provisions of the Macpherson Constitution. The Macpherson Constitution was a proposal for a new constitution for Nigeria, put forward by the British colonial government in response to growing demands for Nigerian participation in government. The Ibadan Conference was an opportunity for Nigerian political leaders to express their views on the proposed constitution, and to negotiate for greater political representation and autonomy for Nigeria. The conference was attended by many prominent Nigerian political figures, including Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Ahmadu Bello. The discussions at the conference led to several changes to the proposed constitution, including the creation of a central legislature and the establishment of regional governments with limited autonomy. Therefore, the Ibadan Conference of 1950 was convened to discuss the provisions of the Macpherson Constitution, which was a proposed new constitution for Nigeria put forward by the British colonial government.

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The constitution that introduced restricted franchise into Nigerian politics was the Clifford Constitution. The Clifford Constitution was enacted in 1922 and it was the first formal Nigerian constitution. One of its major provisions was the introduction of the concept of 'restricted franchise' which limited the right to vote and be voted for to only educated elite Nigerians who met certain property and educational qualifications.

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A sovereign state is a political entity that has full control over its own affairs and is not subject to external control or influence. One of the key features of a sovereign state is its capacity to defend itself from external aggression, which means that it has the ability to protect its territorial integrity and national sovereignty from external threats. This can be achieved through the use of its military and other security agencies. Having a large number of soldiers is not a necessary feature of a sovereign state, as the size of a state's military is not the only factor that determines its ability to defend itself. Additionally, the type of government system (e.g. presidential or parliamentary) and its level of indebtedness to other countries are not defining features of a sovereign state.

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The major factor that differentiates the presidential system from the parliamentary system is the separation of powers. In a presidential system, the executive, legislative, and judicial branches are separate and independent of each other. The president, who is the head of the executive branch, is directly elected by the people and has significant powers, including the power to veto legislation passed by the legislature. In contrast, in a parliamentary system, the executive and legislative branches are fused together. The head of government, who is the prime minister, is typically a member of the legislature and is chosen by the legislature. The prime minister has significant power to control the legislative agenda and to pass legislation, but does not have the same level of direct authority over the judiciary. The separation of powers is intended to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful and to ensure that each branch can act as a check on the other branches. This is a key feature of presidential systems and is not present in parliamentary systems.

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Nigeria gained her independence on October 1st, 1960.

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The correct option is "the USA, the USSR, the UK and China". These four countries are referred to as the Four Policemen, and they were the main Allied powers that defeated the Axis powers in World War II. In 1941, they signed the Declaration of the United Nations, which was the basis for the creation of the United Nations Organization in 1945. The UN has since grown to include 193 member states.

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Delegated legislature becomes unavoidable when issues under consideration are technical. This is because technical issues require specialized knowledge and expertise which may not be possessed by all the legislators. In such cases, the legislature may delegate the responsibility of making decisions on the technical issues to a specialized body or individual with the necessary expertise. This allows for more informed and effective decision-making.

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The main function of the Code of Conduct Bureau is to ensure accountability in government business. The Code of Conduct Bureau is a government agency responsible for maintaining the standards of conduct for public officials in Nigeria. It ensures that public officials, such as elected officials, civil servants, and other government employees, adhere to the ethical standards and codes of conduct established by the government. One of the key responsibilities of the Code of Conduct Bureau is to receive and verify the asset declarations of public officials. This helps to ensure that public officials are not using their positions to engage in corrupt practices, and that their wealth is acquired through legitimate means. The Code of Conduct Bureau also investigates and enforces compliance with the Code of Conduct for public officials. It has the power to initiate legal proceedings against public officials who violate the Code of Conduct, and to recommend appropriate sanctions or penalties, such as removal from office, fines, or imprisonment. In contrast, giving the judiciary more powers to discipline erring judges, protecting public officers from the press, and giving the police more powers to make arrests are not functions of the Code of Conduct Bureau.

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The emirate system of administration can be likened to a traditional form of government that is based on a monarchy or a system of rulership where a ruler or Emir exercises power over a particular territory. This can be compared to a constitutional monarchy where a monarch serves as the ceremonial head of state while the actual political power is exercised by elected officials or a federal system where power is shared between the central government and subnational units. However, the emirate system is often characterized by a strong central authority and little or no participation of the people in the political process.

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The main duty of the Local Government Service is to supervise and manage the affairs of local governments. The Local Government Service is responsible for ensuring that local governments are run efficiently and effectively, and that they are able to provide the necessary services to their communities. This includes managing budgets, developing policies, implementing programs, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of local governments. The Local Government Service is also responsible for ensuring that local governments comply with relevant laws and regulations, and for providing training and support to local government officials and employees. Overall, the Local Government Service plays a critical role in promoting development and improving the quality of life at the grassroots level.

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The United Nations charter is a document that outlines the basic principles and goals of the United Nations, and establishes the rights and responsibilities of its member states. It sets out the purposes of the United Nations, including promoting international cooperation, maintaining international peace and security, and protecting human rights. It also outlines the structure and powers of the various UN organs, such as the General Assembly and the Security Council. In summary, the UN charter is an instrument that lays the foundation for the work and operations of the United Nations.

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The main legislative body in Nigeria between 1966 and 1975 was not a civilian body, but rather a military council called the Supreme Military Council (SMC). The SMC was established after a series of military coups in Nigeria in 1966 that overthrew the civilian government. The SMC was made up of senior military officers, led by the head of state, and had the power to make laws and policies for the country. During its tenure, the SMC ruled by decree, bypassing the normal legislative process. The SMC remained the main legislative body in Nigeria until 1975, when it was replaced by the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), which continued to rule the country until 1979. In summary, the main legislative body in Nigeria between 1966 and 1975 was the Supreme Military Council, which was a military council made up of senior officers that ruled the country by decree after a series of military coups in Nigeria.

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Venezuela is a founding member of OPEC. OPEC was founded in 1960 by five countries: Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela.

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Centralization of power is the basic feature of a unitary government. In a unitary government, all powers are concentrated in the hands of the central government. This means that the central government has the power to make decisions and policies that affect the entire country, and all other levels of government, such as regional or local governments, are subordinate to the central government. Centralization of power in a unitary government allows for more efficient decision-making and policy implementation, as the central government is in control of all resources and has a better overview of the entire country. However, it can also lead to a lack of autonomy and representation for regions or localities that may have different needs or perspectives. In contrast, federalism is characterized by a sharing of power between the central government and regional or local governments. A confederation is a looser form of federalism, where the central government has limited powers and the regional or local governments have more autonomy. A presidential system is a type of government where the president is both the head of state and head of government, and is elected separately from the legislature.

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Nigeria is a member of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF is an international organization that was established to promote international cooperation on monetary issues, facilitate international trade, and promote economic growth and development. Its members are countries from all over the world, including Nigeria. As a member of the IMF, Nigeria has access to financial assistance and technical expertise to help it address economic challenges, such as balance of payments problems, debt management, and financial sector reform. The IMF also provides policy advice to its member countries on macroeconomic issues, such as fiscal and monetary policy, and conducts surveillance of the global economy to help identify and address potential economic risks. In contrast, the London Club and Paris Club are groups of private creditors and official creditors, respectively, who negotiate debt restructurings with debtor countries. The Infrastructural Development Fund is not an international finance agency, but rather a hypothetical fund that could be established to support infrastructure development in a particular country or region.

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A law passed by the legislature and assented by the executive is called an act. An act is a formal written statement of a decision made by the legislative branch of government that is intended to become law. The process of passing an act usually begins with a bill, which is a proposed law that is introduced in the legislature. The bill is then debated, amended, and voted on by the members of the legislature. If it is passed by both houses of the legislature, it is sent to the executive branch for approval. The executive branch, which is headed by the president or governor, has the power to either sign the bill into law or veto it. If the bill is signed, it becomes an act and is binding on all citizens and organizations within the jurisdiction of the government that passed it. In summary, a law passed by the legislature and assented by the executive is called an act. It is a formal written statement of a decision made by the legislative branch of government that is intended to become law and is binding on all citizens and organizations within the jurisdiction of the government that passed it.

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Authority of Heads of State and Government is the most active organ of the Economic Community of West African States.

It is the highest policy- making organ of ECOWAS
Other functions include:

1. Discussion of other economic matters

2. Ratification of treaties and agreements

3. Admission of new members

4. Appointment of the secretary-General and other key officials.

5. Supervision of implementation of the aims and objective of ECOWAS.

6. Consideration of reports from the secretariat.

7. Consideration of recommendations from the Council of Ministers.

The Organ comprises of the Heads of States and Government of all member-states or their accredited representatives.

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Rilwanu Lukman served as Secretary General of OPEC.

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The Royal Niger Company was the leading agent in the expansion of British influence in Northern Nigeria in the 1890s. The company was a British mercantile company formed in 1879, which was granted a royal charter in 1886 to trade in the Niger River Delta and to develop the interior of the Niger Basin. The company's activities in the region helped to establish British hegemony over the area and paved the way for the colonization of Nigeria by the British government.

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The two military coups that toppled civilian regimes in Nigeria were those of January 1966 and December 1983. Explanation: The question asks for the two military coups that overthrew civilian regimes in Nigeria. The correct answer is option A, which lists January 1966 and December 1983. Option B lists July 1966 and August 1985, which is incorrect because the July 1966 coup overthrew a military government, not a civilian one. Option C lists January 1966 and July 1975, which is also incorrect because the July 1975 coup overthrew the military government that came to power after the January 1966 coup. Option D lists February 1976 and December 1983, which is incorrect because there was no coup in February 1976.

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One major disadvantage of public opinion is that a vocal minority may claim to represent the majority. In some cases, a small group of people may express their views loudly and forcefully, giving the impression that their opinions are shared by the majority. This can lead to a situation where the government or other decision-makers make decisions based on the views of a small but vocal group, rather than the actual opinions of the majority of people. It can also create a situation where the views of the minority are given disproportionate attention, leading to policies that do not reflect the interests or concerns of the broader public. This can result in a lack of representation, and may harm the democratic process.

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The central legislature of Nigeria became bicameral in 1960. McPherson constitution of 1951 created two chambers regional legislatures known as the house of chiefs and the house of Assembly in the Northern and Western region. Coming then to independence constitution of 1960. Bicameral legislatures were adopted in both the federal and regional government including the Eastern region.

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

Like other members of the non-aligned movement, Nigeria's internal economic structures that depend on external support has made Nigeria to be political on-aligned and economically aligned.

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The structure of the civil service is based on a hierarchical organization. This means that there are different levels of authority and responsibility within the civil service, with each level being responsible to the level above it. The hierarchical structure ensures that there is a clear chain of command, and that decisions are made by those who have the necessary authority and expertise. The most senior officials are responsible for setting policy and strategic direction, while lower-level officials are responsible for implementing policies and carrying out day-to-day tasks. The hierarchical structure also ensures that there is accountability within the civil service, with each level being held responsible for its own performance and the performance of those below it.

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The delineation of constituencies is a major duty of the electoral commission. This is because the electoral commission is responsible for conducting free and fair elections in the country. In order to ensure that elections are fair, the electoral commission has to ensure that constituencies are delineated in a way that is fair and equitable to all citizens. The electoral commission is responsible for creating electoral boundaries, deciding on the number of constituencies, and ensuring that each constituency has roughly the same number of eligible voters. This helps to ensure that each citizen's vote carries the same weight, and that there is no unfair advantage given to one constituency or another.

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Legislative control of public corporations in Nigeria is effected through acts of the National Assembly. A public corporation is a government-owned organization that operates in the public interest and is established by an Act of Parliament or other legislation. These corporations perform various functions, including providing essential services, promoting economic development, and managing public assets. In Nigeria, the National Assembly, which is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives, has the power to pass acts that regulate the establishment, operation, and management of public corporations. These acts set out the legal framework for the operation of these corporations and define the powers and responsibilities of their boards and management. The National Assembly also has the power to oversee the operations of public corporations and hold them accountable for their performance. This oversight is carried out through various means, including the review of their budgets and annual reports, the summoning of their management to appear before legislative committees, and the investigation of any issues of concern. In summary, legislative control of public corporations in Nigeria is effected through acts of the National Assembly. These acts regulate the establishment, operation, and management of public corporations and define the powers and responsibilities of their boards and management. The National Assembly also exercises oversight over public corporations and holds them accountable for their performance.

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To qualify for absorption into the administration cadre of the civil service in Nigeria, an applicant must be a holder of a first university degree. The civil service is the backbone of any government, and it is responsible for the implementation of government policies and programs. In Nigeria, the civil service has different cadres, and the administration cadre is the highest level of the civil service. To be eligible for this cadre, one must possess a first university degree from a recognized institution. This is because the administration cadre is made up of professionals who are expected to provide strategic leadership and management expertise to the civil service. The degree could be in any discipline, but applicants with degrees in related fields such as public administration, political science, or international relations may have an advantage. Additionally, the applicant must meet other requirements, such as being a Nigerian citizen, passing a written examination, and going through an interview process.

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The principle of checks and balances reinforces separation of powers in order to prevent the emergence of dictatorship. This is achieved by ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful and is able to dominate the others. Each branch of government is given certain powers that serve as a check on the powers of the other branches, thus creating a system of balance and preventing any one branch from becoming too dominant. This helps to ensure that the government operates in accordance with the principles of democracy and that the rights and freedoms of citizens are protected.

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Pressure groups and political parties are both forms of political organizations, but there are major differences between them. One of the major issues that distinguishes pressure groups from political parties is the objective. Political parties aim to win elections and control government in order to implement their policies and ideas. They seek to gain power through elections and use the political process to advance their agendas. On the other hand, pressure groups do not seek to control government or win elections. They are organizations that are formed to influence government policies and decisions, usually on behalf of a particular interest group or cause. Pressure groups engage in activities such as lobbying, protests, petitions, and media campaigns to influence government policies and decisions. Therefore, a major issue that distinguishes pressure groups from political parties is the objective. Political parties aim to win elections and control government, while pressure groups aim to influence government policies and decisions without seeking to control the government itself.

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According to the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, the power to create local governments is vested in the State House of Assembly. This means that the state assembly has the authority to create new local government areas within the state, subject to certain conditions and procedures specified in the Constitution. The State House of Assembly also has the power to dissolve or alter the boundaries of existing local governments, as well as conduct public hearings and consultations before making any decision on the matter.

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The 1979 Constitution recognized local government as a third tier of government in Nigeria. Before the 1979 Constitution, local governments were not recognized as a separate tier of government in Nigeria. The 1946 Constitution established regional governments and divided the country into three regions: Northern, Western, and Eastern regions. The 1960 and 1963 Constitutions continued with this regional system, but did not recognize local governments as a separate tier of government. However, the 1979 Constitution introduced the concept of local government as a third tier of government in Nigeria. This was a significant development, as it meant that local governments were recognized as having their own powers and responsibilities, separate from both the federal and state governments. The 1979 Constitution also provided for the creation, structure, and functions of local government councils, and ensured their financial autonomy. Since then, subsequent Nigerian Constitutions have also recognized local government as a third tier of government, including the current 1999 Constitution. The recognition of local government as a third tier of government has allowed for more effective governance at the grassroots level and increased participation of citizens in decision-making processes.

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Citizenship in a modern state expresses the status of a person who possesses full political rights. These political rights include the right to vote, the right to hold public office, the right to express one's opinions freely, and the right to participate in the political life of the country. Citizenship is an important legal and political concept because it defines the relationship between the individual and the state. Citizenship establishes the legal and political rights and obligations of individuals in relation to the state. It also confers a sense of belonging and identity to individuals, and it allows individuals to participate in the political life of the country. Therefore, citizenship in a modern state expresses the status of a person who possesses full political rights, and who has a legal and political relationship with the state based on those rights and obligations.

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The body set up to review the revenue allocation formula in 1980 was the Okigbo Commission. The Okigbo Commission was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to review the revenue allocation formula in 1980. The commission was headed by Dr. Pius Okigbo and it made recommendations for a more equitable distribution of revenue among the federal, state, and local governments in Nigeria. The recommendations of the commission were, however, not implemented by the government at the time.

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Communism is a system which recognizes the existence of the state.

This is so as communism may be defined as an economic system and a system of government where the means of production, distribution and exchange are totally controlled by the state.

Some features of communism are as follows:

1. Total ownership of means of production and distribution, by the state.

2. Absence of classes, ie classes society.

3. Centrally planned economy.

4. Authoritarian and Totalitarian government

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The abolition of the state ministries of local governments in 1989 means that local governments in Nigeria are no longer subordinates to state governments. They have more control over their funds and are more autonomous in carrying out their responsibilities, such as providing basic amenities to their citizens, maintaining law and order, and promoting economic development at the grassroots level. The move was aimed at strengthening local governance and bringing government closer to the people.

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The first Nigerian constitution to provide for the fundamental objectives and directive principles of state policy was the 1979 Constitution. The Constitution contained a section that outlined the goals and objectives of the Nigerian state, such as the promotion of democracy, social justice, economic development, and the protection of the environment. It also provided guidance on how these objectives could be achieved through policies and programs. The inclusion of these provisions in the constitution emphasized the importance of the government's responsibility to work towards the betterment of the lives of its citizens.

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Nigeria's active role in the liberation of some countries in Southern Africa earned her the status of a frontline state. The term "frontline state" refers to a group of African countries that shared borders with apartheid South Africa and were directly affected by its policies of racial segregation and discrimination. These countries were at the forefront of the struggle against apartheid and provided support to anti-apartheid movements within South Africa. Nigeria played an active role in the liberation of Southern African countries such as Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The country provided financial and material support to these countries, and Nigerian troops were also involved in peacekeeping operations in some of them. As a result of its support for the struggle against apartheid and its involvement in the liberation of Southern African countries, Nigeria earned the status of a frontline state. This status recognized Nigeria's important role in the fight against apartheid and its commitment to promoting peace, democracy, and social justice in Africa. In summary, Nigeria's active role in the liberation of some countries in Southern Africa earned her the status of a frontline state. This status recognized Nigeria's important role in the struggle against apartheid and its commitment to promoting peace, democracy, and social justice in Africa.

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The fees collected by local governments at motor parks represent levies. A levy is a type of tax that is imposed by a government or other authority on individuals, businesses, or organizations. In the case of motor parks, the local government collects a fee from the transporters for using the park facilities. This fee is a form of levy and is used by the government to generate revenue. The purpose of the levy collected by local governments at motor parks is to support the maintenance and development of the park facilities, such as the construction of terminals, provision of sanitation facilities, and other related services. The local government can also use the revenue generated from the levies to provide other social services and infrastructure development within the community. In contrast, fines are monetary penalties imposed by the government for violating a law or regulation. Income tax is a tax on the income of individuals or businesses, while user charges are fees paid by individuals for using a specific service or facility, such as tolls on highways or entrance fees to parks.

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The application of the principle of separation of powers seems impracticable because powers are fused. This means that the powers of the different arms of government (the legislature, executive, and judiciary) are not clearly separated but overlap. For example, the executive may have some legislative powers and the judiciary may have some executive powers. This makes it difficult to have a strict separation of powers as envisioned by the principle. However, the principle still serves as a useful guide in the design of democratic systems of government.

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A common feature of a multi-party system is that government is formed by a coalition of political parties. In a multi-party system, there are several political parties, and no single party may have enough support to form a government on its own. Therefore, after an election, political parties may form a coalition to have a majority and form a government. This coalition may be formed before or after the election, depending on the electoral system and political circumstances.