JAMB UTME - Government - 2006

The principle of separation of powers is intimately related to the "checks and balances." In a democratic system, the separation of powers is a vital principle, ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. This principle establishes three separate branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judiciary. Each of these branches has its powers and responsibilities, and they check and balance each other to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power. This principle ensures that the government is accountable to the people and operates within the rule of law.

The fusion of Ceremonial and Executive Powers is a distinctive feature of the Presidential system of government.

Presidential system of government is the one in which the head of State of a country is also the head of government of the same country. It is a system in which all executive powers are vested in one person with the title of the Executive President.

As head of State, he has the power to sign a bill into law. In case of anomalies, he can refuse to sign a bill until the anomalies are corrected by the two House-House of Representatives and the House of Senate.

Coming to Ceremonial Functions, he represents the country at some events such as taking salute at parade grounds on independence day celebrations.

The transformation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) to the African Union (AU) was primarily done to accelerate Africa's political development. The OAU, founded in 1963, was primarily focused on decolonization and ending apartheid in South Africa. However, with the changing political landscape and challenges facing the continent, there was a need for a more comprehensive and proactive approach to address the political, economic, and social issues facing the continent. The African Union was established in 2002 to address these challenges and to promote greater cooperation and integration among African nations. The AU has a broader mandate than the OAU, with a focus on promoting democracy, human rights, and good governance, as well as promoting economic integration and development. Therefore, while the AU's establishment aimed to promote Africa's socio-cultural and economic advancement, the primary objective was to accelerate Africa's political development.

The Murtala regime was responsible for Nigeria's abandonment of a pro-west policy and its concern for decolonization in Africa. The regime believed that Nigeria should play a leading role in Africa's political and economic development and sought to establish closer ties with other African countries. This led to a shift in Nigeria's foreign policy towards a more pan-Africanist stance, with a greater emphasis on regional integration and support for liberation movements in southern Africa.

A vote of confidence is a feature of the parliamentary system of government. In this system, the government is responsible to the parliament, and if the parliament loses confidence in the government, it can pass a vote of no confidence. If the vote of no confidence is successful, the government is considered to have lost the support of the parliament, and it must resign. Conversely, a successful vote of confidence strengthens the government's mandate to continue in office. Therefore, the vote of confidence is a crucial tool for maintaining the stability and legitimacy of the parliamentary system.

Under the 1963 Republican Constitution,the President exercised nominal powers.

He was only a ceremonial head and had no real powers. Unlike the President of the Second Republic, he was not an executive president, but ceremonial one.

The answer to the question is Yakubu Gowon. He became the chairman of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1975, during his tenure as the military head of state in Nigeria. The OAU was the predecessor of the current African Union (AU) and was established to promote unity and cooperation among African countries. Gowon's chairmanship of the OAU was significant because it gave Nigeria a prominent voice in African affairs and helped to enhance its standing as a leader on the continent.

Yes, a bill could become law without the president's assent if it is supported by a two-thirds majority of the legislature. This means that if two-thirds of the members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives vote in favor of the bill, it will become a law even if the president does not sign it. This is known as a veto override. However, this is only possible in some countries like the United States, where there is a system of checks and balances. In other countries, such as parliamentary democracies, the executive (prime minister or president) has more power to veto legislation.

A major merit of privatization is that it increases public fiscal resources.

Privatization is a process of transferring ownership and control of companies, industries, corporations, etc, from public to private sector.

Privatization generates more fund and then revamps the economy as well as development of rural areas.

Through privatization, the corporations or enterprises will be managed and organized more efficiently for the overall benefit of the masses or consumers.

Constitutional matters in which the Nigerian federal and state governments exercise joint authority are on the concurrent list.

Some examples are as follows:

1. Industrial Development

2. Education

3. Agriculture

4. Finance

5. Transport

6. Works

The federal laws prevail in case of contradictions.

Nigeria's first participation in a United Nations peace-keeping operation was in Congo. In 1960, the UN sent a peacekeeping force to Congo to maintain order and assist with the country's transition to independence. Nigeria was among the first African countries to send troops to this operation, and they played a significant role in helping to restore peace to the troubled region. This was a significant moment in Nigeria's history, as it marked the beginning of the country's long and ongoing involvement in peacekeeping operations around the world.

Diplomatic missions among Commonwealth member states are referred to as "high commissions". A high commission is the equivalent of an embassy between two Commonwealth countries, with the difference being that an embassy is established between two sovereign states that are not members of the Commonwealth. High commissions are usually headed by a High Commissioner, who represents the government and people of one Commonwealth country in another Commonwealth country. They serve as a means of promoting and maintaining political, economic, and cultural relations between Commonwealth countries.

The ECOWAS Tribunal is responsible for interpreting the treaties of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In other words, it is a judicial body that has the authority to settle disputes arising from the interpretation and application of ECOWAS treaties. The Tribunal also has the power to hear cases involving violations of human rights within ECOWAS member states. However, it is important to note that the Tribunal does not have the power to try erring member states, as this is the responsibility of the ECOWAS Authority.

British subjects was the status of the inhabitants of the Lagos Crown Colony.

According to G.A.I. Ofoegbu (1976): ''Crown Colony was a colony that was administered directly by the Colonial Government of the colonial state e.g. Lagos, it was always regarded as part of colonial state. Citizens of crown colonies or territories were regarded as citizens of the crown state e.g Senegal under France.'' But as far as British policy was concerned, such citizens were British subjects.

Nigeria became a front line state in the Southern Africa liberation struggle mainly due to its strong anti-apartheid stance. Nigeria was committed to ending colonialism and promoting self-determination for African nations, which made it a natural ally to those fighting for independence in Southern Africa. Nigeria's stance against apartheid made it an influential player in African proxy wars, supporting various liberation movements with arms, funding, and training. The country also provided sanctuary and logistical support for freedom fighters, including those from South Africa. Nigeria's connections with South Africa were not significant in the early days of the struggle, but as the anti-apartheid movement gained momentum, the country became an important voice for change, even when it meant facing backlash from other African countries that were more hesitant to challenge South Africa's apartheid regime. In summary, Nigeria's strong anti-apartheid stance, commitment to ending colonialism, and influence on African proxy wars made it a front line state in the Southern Africa liberation struggle.

A written constitution is distinguished by its cumbersome and complex amendment procedure.

Procedures for the amendment of the constitution are clearly stated and such procedures are often rigid.

Individual as opposed to collective responsibility is a basic feature of the presidential system of government. In a presidential system of government, the president is the head of state and government and is responsible for making and implementing policies. The president appoints individuals to head various departments and agencies, and they are accountable to the president. As such, individual responsibility is emphasized over collective responsibility, unlike in a parliamentary system where the cabinet collectively makes decisions and is held responsible for them.

The civil service is an important component of the state because it ensures continuity in governance. Civil servants are non-political public servants who work for the government and provide administrative support to elected officials. They play a crucial role in implementing government policies and programs, and ensuring that they are carried out effectively and efficiently. Civil servants are typically employed on a permanent basis, which helps to ensure continuity in governance, even when there are changes in political leadership. This continuity is important because it helps to ensure that government policies and programs are carried out consistently and that there is stability in the functioning of the state.

Under the Gowon regime in Nigeria, the highest decision-making body was the Supreme Military Council. This council was made up of the top military officers and was responsible for making major policy decisions for the country. The Supreme Military Council was responsible for the appointment of military governors and the overall governance of Nigeria during the period of military rule.

The policy of deregulation in Nigeria is characterized by the enthronement of market forces mechanism. This means that the government allows the forces of demand and supply to determine prices and other economic decisions, rather than regulating them through government interventions. Therefore, prices of goods and services are no longer fixed by the government, and private individuals and businesses have more freedom to invest and compete in various sectors of the economy.

Military regimes in Nigeria returned power to civilians through transition programmes. These programmes were typically designed to allow for a peaceful transfer of power from the military to civilian government, usually through the establishment of a timetable for elections, the drafting of a new constitution, and the implementation of various democratic reforms. The transition programmes were often negotiated with various stakeholders, including political parties, civil society groups, and international organizations, in order to ensure broad-based support and legitimacy. The goal of these programmes was to restore democratic governance to Nigeria after years of military rule.

One of the ways the executive performs legislative functions is through delegated legislation. Delegated legislation is the process of the legislative body delegating some of its lawmaking authority to the executive branch. This means that the executive can create rules, regulations, and laws that are binding on the public without the need for the legislature to pass new laws. Delegated legislation can be an efficient way for the executive to respond to changing circumstances and make adjustments to existing laws without having to go through the lengthy and sometimes contentious legislative process. However, it is important to ensure that there is appropriate oversight and accountability to prevent abuse of this power.

The chairman of the National Defense Council as provided in the 1999 Constitution is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The National Defense Council is the highest security body in Nigeria responsible for advising the President on matters related to national security and defense. As the commander-in-chief of the armed forces, the President is constitutionally mandated to chair the council, which includes the Minister of Defence, Chief of Defence Staff, and other high-ranking military and civilian officials.

Galadima in the emirate system refers to the administrator of the capital city.
This stands to reason that he was in charge of the capital city. He was the head of Palace Workers

During the colonial administration, the office of the warrant chief was introduced in Eastern Nigeria. The warrant chiefs were appointed by the British colonial administration to govern the various communities in the region. They were used as a means of indirect rule, where the colonial administration used the traditional rulers and other local leaders to govern the people on their behalf. The warrant chiefs were given the power to enforce British laws and collect taxes from the people. This system of governance was highly unpopular and was one of the factors that led to the Aba Women's Riot of 1929, which was a major protest against the warrant chiefs and the colonial administration.

Public opinion helps a government to develop the country in line with the people's aspirations. Public opinion refers to the views and beliefs held by the general public on various issues affecting the society, including government policies. When the government takes public opinion into account, it is able to understand what the people want and what they expect from their leaders. By doing so, the government can develop policies that are in line with the aspirations of the people, thereby improving the well-being of the society. Public opinion also provides a platform for citizens to hold their leaders accountable, and this can help to ensure that the government is working in the best interest of the people.

The highest decision-making organ of OPEC is the Conference. The Conference is made up of oil ministers from the member countries and meets twice a year to determine production quotas and other important policies related to the oil market. Its decisions have a significant impact on the global oil industry, as OPEC is responsible for producing a large percentage of the world's oil supply. The Special Fund is a financing mechanism for development projects in member countries, while the Board of Governors oversees the management of OPEC's financial and administrative affairs. The Secretariat is responsible for implementing the decisions of the Conference and for providing technical and administrative support to the organization.

In a federal system,the essence of specifying the constitutional relationship between the center and the constituent units is to avoid functional conflicts.

It was Sir Oliver Lyttleton Constitution 1954 that classified governmental powers into three-the Exclusive, the Concurrent and Residual Powers.

Exclusive Powers-matters where only the federal government can legislate.

Concurrent List-matters where both the federal governments governments can legislate.

Regional Powers-matters where only the Regional or State government legislate. Coming back to the Concurrent List, it should be noted that the federal government takes precedence in case of any conflict.

In the pre-colonial Yoruba political system,the council of chiefs constituted the Legislative Arm.

It should be noted that the Oba made the laws in consultation with his chiefs who represented different villages. The laws could be for imposition of the following:

1. Taxes

2. Land Allocation

3. Marriage

4. Divorce etc.

The senior chiefs could also make laws but such laws were subject to Oba's ratification.

The Bales also made rules and regulations on behalf of the Oba.

Karl Marx was one of the greatest advocates of socialism. He believed that capitalism inevitably led to exploitation of the working class and advocated for a classless society where the means of production are owned and controlled by the workers themselves. His ideas on socialism and communism have had a profound impact on political and economic thought around the world.

In 1999, the Alliance for Democracy (AD) won the governorship election in six states of Nigeria.

After World War 1, Germany's former colonies were administered under the League of Nations as trust territories. This means that the League of Nations was given the responsibility of administering these territories on behalf of the people who lived there until they were deemed ready for self-rule. The League appointed trustees who were responsible for promoting the well-being and development of these territories. The goal was to prepare these territories for eventual independence, and the League of Nations was responsible for ensuring that this process was carried out fairly and effectively.

An autocracy is a type of government where an individual, often referred to as an autocrat or dictator, wields absolute power. This means that the autocrat has complete control over all aspects of the government and often makes decisions without any form of checks and balances. The autocrat has the power to impose laws, rules and regulations, and is not accountable to the people. Examples of autocracies in history include Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler, the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin, and North Korea under the Kim dynasty.

A crucial requirement for the successful conduct of elections is an independent electoral commission. An independent electoral commission is important because it ensures that the electoral process is fair and transparent. It helps to prevent electoral fraud and ensures that the results of the election accurately reflect the will of the people. An independent electoral commission is also responsible for managing the voter registration process, creating a voter list, and conducting voter education. By performing these tasks, an independent electoral commission helps to build public confidence in the electoral process and promotes the legitimacy of the election results.

The 1960 Independence Constitution of Nigeria provided for the Queen as head of state.

According to Francis Adigwe (1977), ''The Head of the State was a constitutional Monarch, the Queen of Great Britain.'' Some was represented by the Governor General.

The signing of protectorate treaty was used by the Europeans to penetrate Northern Nigeria.

In 1885 the Oil Rivers Protectorate was proclaimed covering the present Nigerian coast and territories from it as far as Lokoja and the River Benue. In order to provide for the territories farther north, in 1886, Taubman's company was given a Royal Charter authorizing it to act as a government in those places with which it had treaties. The company's name was changed to the ''Royal Niger Company'' and in 1887 the British Government proclaimed a protectorate over the areas that the company administered.

There is only one political party recognized by law in a dominant one-party system.

One party system may be defined as a political system in which only one political party is legally and constitutionally allowed to operate. Every body in the state who wishes to participate actively in politics must have to coin the only party in existence. Example are:

1. China

2. Spain

3. Tanzania

4. Ghana (during the time of Kwame Nkrumah)

5. Zambia

6. Guinea (under Ahmed Toure)

These countries have at one time or the order operated this system.

One of the most essential characteristics of the state is sovereignty. Sovereignty means that a state has supreme power and authority within its own territory, and that it is not subject to external control or influence from other states. This means that the state has the ability to make and enforce its own laws, regulate its own economy, and make decisions on behalf of its citizens without interference from other states. Sovereignty is therefore a key feature of any independent and self-governing state.

A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which the powers of the hereditary ruler, usually a king or queen, are limited by a constitution or a set of laws. In this type of government, the monarch serves as a symbolic and ceremonial head of state, while the real power lies with an elected parliament or other governing body. The monarch may have some formal powers, such as the ability to appoint government officials or to dissolve parliament, but these powers are usually exercised only on the advice of the elected officials. Therefore, a constitutional monarchy is a system of government that combines elements of monarchy with a constitutional framework, and allows for democratic governance.

Under colonial administration, the inhabitants of the Lagos Crown Colony were considered British subjects. This meant that while they were not full citizens of Britain, they were still entitled to some rights and protections under British law, and were expected to be loyal to the British Empire. They were also subject to British rule and authority, and had limited political and economic power.

Judges of the World Court are appointed to serve for nine years. This means that they are expected to serve as members of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), also known as the World Court, for a period of nine years. After their term has ended, they may be re-elected to serve another term if they are nominated and elected by the United Nations General Assembly and Security Council. The length of their term is designed to provide stability and continuity in the Court's decisions, while allowing for some turnover among its members over time.

The right enjoyed by citizens but denied non-citizens is the right to vote and be voted for. This means that citizens of a country have the privilege of participating in the political process of electing their leaders by casting their votes during elections and also have the right to be elected into political offices. Non-citizens, on the other hand, are not allowed to participate in the political process by voting or being voted for. This is a fundamental right of citizenship and is important for ensuring that citizens have a say in how they are governed.

The main reason for the poor performance of the Public Complaints Commission in Nigeria is that it lacks the power to prosecute offenders.

That is, it has no powers to enforce its investigations and decisions it has taken, it can only investigate and recommend.

Other limitations are as follows:

1. It cannot investigate the activities of top officials in government e.g the President.

2. No power to question or challenge e.g the decision of the court.

3. Lack of confidentiality.

4. The need to preserve and safeguard state security and vital national interest.

Fascism originated from Italy.