WAEC SSCE - Government - 1994 (Objective)

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Nigeria has played a prominent role in the formation and continued existence of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). ECOWAS is a regional intergovernmental organization that promotes economic integration, political cooperation, and regional security among its 15 member states in West Africa. Nigeria is one of the founding members of ECOWAS and has been instrumental in its establishment, funding, and functioning. The organization was established in 1975, and Nigeria has been a key player in shaping its policies, programs, and activities. Therefore, the answer to the question is "Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)."

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The type of government in which citizen's rights and duties were based on a system of land tenure was known as feudalism. Feudalism was a political and economic system that emerged in Europe during the Middle Ages, characterized by a strict social hierarchy and a land-based economy. In a feudal system, the king granted land to lords, who then granted land to vassals, who in turn granted land to peasants or serfs. In exchange for the land, the lord required military service and loyalty from his vassals, while the peasants or serfs were required to work the land and give a portion of their crops to the lord. Feudalism was based on personal relationships rather than formal legal structures, and the system lasted until the rise of nation-states and the modernization of the economy in the 16th and 17th centuries.

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The institution and processes connected with making, enforcing and reviewing of laws in any society is referred to as the Government. The government is responsible for creating laws and regulations that govern the behavior of citizens and organizations within the society. The government also enforces these laws through various agencies such as the police and judiciary, and periodically reviews and updates the laws to reflect the changing needs of society. The Constitution Drafting Committee may be involved in creating the foundational laws of the country, but the overall responsibility for the entire system of laws rests with the government. The judiciary and bar association play a role in interpreting and upholding the laws created by the government.

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Government can be described as the art of making and enforcing laws. Governments are responsible for creating laws that regulate the behavior of individuals and groups in society. They also have the power to enforce these laws and punish those who violate them. The primary function of government is to maintain law and order, and ensure the safety and welfare of its citizens. Therefore, the art of making and enforcing laws is the key function of any government.

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Delegated legislation refers to the power given to someone other than the legislative body to create laws on their behalf. One advantage of delegated legislation is that it enables contingencies to be taken care of. In other words, it allows for laws to be made quickly and efficiently in response to changing circumstances, such as an emergency situation, without the need for full parliamentary scrutiny. This can help ensure that laws remain relevant and effective. However, it is important that there is adequate consultation and transparency in the process to prevent any abuse of power.

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The 1953 motion that Nigeria should attain self-government in 1956 was moved by Chief Anthony Enahoro, who was then a member of the Western House of Assembly. The motion was seconded by Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

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A constitution review body elected by members of the electorate is known as a Constituent Assembly. A Constituent Assembly is a body that is elected by the people for the purpose of drafting or amending a constitution. It is made up of representatives from various groups and constituencies within a country, and its primary responsibility is to ensure that the new or revised constitution reflects the wishes and aspirations of the people. The members of the Constituent Assembly are elected by the people through a democratic process, and they are given the mandate to review and recommend changes to the constitution.

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The major innovation of the Republican Constitution of 1963 was that it abolished the Governor-General's office as the representative of the Queen. This means that the new constitution established an independent Nigerian presidency, replacing the previous system where Nigeria was still under the control of the British Monarch. The constitution also established the executive Presidential system, in which the President is both the head of state and the head of the government. This system replaced the parliamentary system in which the Prime Minister was the head of government, and the Governor-General was the head of state.

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Decentralization is a common feature in federal governments. In a federal system, power is shared between the central government and the constituent units (such as states or provinces), with each level having some degree of autonomy and responsibility over specific areas of policy. This allows for decentralization of decision-making and service delivery, with more local input and responsiveness to regional needs. In contrast, unitary governments tend to have more centralized power with little to no devolution of power to regional governments.

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The first past the post system of voting is also known as the simple majority method. In this system, the candidate who receives the highest number of votes in a constituency wins the election, regardless of whether or not they have an absolute majority. It is called "first past the post" because the finish line in a horse race is a good metaphor for the system: the candidate who crosses the line first (gets the most votes) wins the race (the election).

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When a constitution contains complicated and long procedures for its amendments, it is said to be "rigid." A rigid constitution is one that is difficult to amend, requiring special and often lengthy procedures to make changes to it. This is done to ensure that the fundamental principles and rights enshrined in the constitution are protected from arbitrary or frequent amendments, and that any changes made are carefully considered and agreed upon by a wide range of stakeholders. Countries with rigid constitutions typically require a supermajority vote or other complex procedures to amend them, as opposed to flexible constitutions which can be easily amended by a simple majority vote.

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Proportional representation is a system of voting that aims to give each political party representation in the assembly that is proportionate to its popular support or votes. This means that if a party gets 30% of the votes, they should get roughly 30% of the seats in the assembly. Therefore, the statement that is correct about proportional representation is that it "gives the parties seats in relation to their popular support". It is important to note that proportional representation aims to make the assembly representative of all citizens by giving smaller parties a voice in the legislature. Additionally, proportional representation does not necessarily preserve the two-party system and it is not a system that legalizes dictatorship.

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The head of the executive branch of a parliamentary system is called the Prime Minister. In a parliamentary system, the head of the government is the Prime Minister, who is the leader of the political party or coalition that has the majority of seats in the parliament. The Prime Minister is appointed by the monarch or president, depending on the type of parliamentary system in place. The Prime Minister has the responsibility of selecting and leading the cabinet of ministers who are responsible for running the government and making decisions on behalf of the country. They are also responsible for the day-to-day administration of the country and act as the spokesperson for the government on national and international matters. In contrast to a presidential system, where the President is both the head of state and head of the government, in a parliamentary system, the head of state is a different person, such as a monarch or president, who has a ceremonial role and represents the country on official occasions. Therefore, the correct answer is: Prime Minister.

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The Nigeria civil war, also known as the Biafran War, was fought between 1967 and 1970. It was fought between the Nigerian government, led by General Yakubu Gowon, and the secessionist state of Biafra, which was led by Colonel Odumegwu Ojukwu. The war was fought in order to preserve the unity of Nigeria as a sovereign nation. The Biafrans had declared independence, which the Nigerian government saw as a threat to its territorial integrity. The war led to the loss of over a million lives and caused significant damage to infrastructure and the economy. Ultimately, the Biafrans surrendered and Nigeria remained a united country.

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The theory of separation of powers is a fundamental principle of modern democratic governance which aims to ensure that the different functions of government are carried out by different organs or branches of government. The principle was for the first time clearly formulated by Baron de Montesquieu, a French political philosopher, in his influential work "The Spirit of Laws" published in 1748. In this work, Montesquieu argued that the powers of government should be divided into three distinct branches - the executive, the legislative, and the judiciary - and each should be separate and independent from the others to prevent the abuse of power. This concept of separation of powers has since become a cornerstone of modern constitutionalism and has been adopted by many democratic countries around the world.

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The traditional system of government in pre-colonial Nigeria was based on communalism. This means that the community, rather than an individual, was the primary unit of social and political organization. Decision-making was based on consensus, and everyone had a say in the affairs of the community. The traditional rulers, such as chiefs and kings, were more like representatives of the people and were expected to act in the best interest of the community. The welfare of the community as a whole was considered more important than the interests of individuals. The system was characterized by a sense of collectivism, mutual support, and cooperation.

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The major reason why government sets up Public Corporations is to provide utility services to the public at minimal costs. Public Corporations are entities established by the government to provide essential goods and services to the general public, which may not be profitable for private businesses to undertake. These corporations operate in various sectors such as transportation, healthcare, energy, and education, among others. The government establishes Public Corporations to ensure that the essential services and goods are provided to the public at an affordable cost. The services may include providing electricity, water, public transportation, and healthcare, among others. The government usually subsidizes the services to ensure that they are affordable to the public. While Public Corporations may generate profits, the primary focus is not profit-making. Instead, the focus is on providing essential services to the public that may not be provided by the private sector. Therefore, the correct answer is: to provide utility services to the public at minimal costs.

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Nigeria became a federation as a result of the promulgation of the constitution of 1954. This was the Macpherson Constitution, which replaced the Richards Constitution of 1946. The new constitution introduced a federal system of government in Nigeria, which allowed for greater autonomy and power for the regions. Under the new constitution, Nigeria was divided into three regions: Northern Region, Eastern Region, and Western Region, each with its own government and legislature. The federal government was responsible for issues that affected the whole country, such as defense, foreign affairs, and monetary policy.

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The Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) of the Second Republic was led by Tunji Braithwaite. Tunji Braithwaite was a prominent Nigerian lawyer, activist and politician who formed the Nigeria Advance Party (NAP) in 1978, as a platform to contest for the presidency in the 1979 elections. The party was known for its radical and populist ideals and had a significant influence on the political landscape of Nigeria at the time. Despite not winning the election, Braithwaite continued to be active in Nigerian politics until his death in 2016.

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In a democracy, sovereignty is vested in the people. This means that ultimate authority and power reside with the citizens of the country, and they have the right to participate in the governance of their country through various means, such as voting in elections and holding their elected officials accountable. In a democratic system, the government is created by and accountable to the people. The government is responsible for carrying out the will of the people and promoting their welfare. It is accountable to the people through regular elections and other mechanisms of democratic participation, such as public consultations and civic engagement. While the legislature, judges, public officials, and the head of state all play important roles in the functioning of a democratic government, they are not the ultimate source of sovereignty. Rather, they are all subject to the will and authority of the people, who have the power to elect and remove them from office if they fail to serve the public interest. Therefore, the best answer is: the people.

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The French colonial policy of assimilation aimed at making their colonies an integral part of France by imposing French culture, language, and values on the colonies. However, this policy was met with resistance from the colonized people who sought to maintain their own culture and identity. As a result, the French later replaced their policy of assimilation with the policy of association, which recognized the cultural and social differences of the colonized people and allowed for a more flexible relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. Under this policy, the French allowed for the preservation of local cultures and traditions while still maintaining control over the colonies. Therefore, the answer is "Association".

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The rule of law refers to the principle that no one, including government officials, is above the law. It implies that laws are clearly defined, publicized, and applied equally to all citizens, regardless of their social status or political power. Therefore, the option that best describes the observation of the rule of law is "wherever laws are considered to be supreme." This means that laws are the highest authority and must be obeyed by all individuals, organizations, and governments.

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The Executive is a body that formulates and implements the policies of government. The Executive is one of the three branches of government, along with the Legislature and the Judiciary. It is responsible for executing and administering the laws of the country, as well as for implementing policies and making decisions that affect the country's citizens. The head of the Executive is usually the President or Prime Minister, who is elected by the people or appointed by the Legislature, depending on the country's political system. The Executive also includes various government ministries and departments, such as the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Health, which are responsible for carrying out specific functions and programs of government.

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A manifesto refers to the program of a political party. It is a public declaration of the policies, goals, and objectives that a political party intends to pursue if elected to govern a country. Manifestos are usually presented to the public during election campaigns, and they serve as a guide for voters to make informed decisions on which party to support. Manifestos outline the party's plans on various issues such as education, health, the economy, security, and foreign relations. They are essential in democratic societies as they enable citizens to hold political parties accountable for their promises.

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The party system operated by a country is determined by the nature of competition and interaction within and between political parties. This refers to the ways in which political parties compete for power, the issues they prioritize, and how they interact with each other in the political arena. The party system may be characterized by the number of parties, the level of party discipline, the degree of voter loyalty, and the ideological differences between the parties. The type of party system may affect the functioning of democracy in a country, as it can influence the inclusiveness of political representation, the responsiveness of political leaders to the electorate, and the stability of government.

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The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is an agency of the United Nations (UN). Its purpose is to promote economic and social development in Africa by providing research and technical assistance to African governments and organizations. The ECA was established in 1958 and is headquartered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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The responsibility that is not the responsibility of an Electoral Commission is the "nomination of candidates". The Electoral Commission is responsible for the creation of constituencies, registration of voters, registration of political parties, provision of polling booths, among other responsibilities. However, the nomination of candidates is the responsibility of political parties and independent candidates who must meet the requirements set by the Electoral Commission to contest for an election.

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The main aim of pressure groups is to influence the government. Pressure groups are organizations formed by like-minded individuals who come together to influence public policies and decisions made by the government. They seek to promote a particular cause or interest, and try to bring about change by influencing the actions of those in power. Pressure groups can use a range of tactics to achieve their objectives, including lobbying, protests, and media campaigns. The ultimate goal of pressure groups is to have an impact on government policy and decision-making in order to achieve their desired outcome.

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The country that is not a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) is Britain. OPEC is a global organization made up of countries that are major producers of oil, and its goal is to coordinate and unify the petroleum policies of its member countries to ensure fair and stable prices for petroleum producers and a regular supply for consumers. Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, and Venezuela are all members of OPEC, while Britain is not.

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Before the Civil Service reforms of 1988, the most prestigious and highest paid grade in the Nigerian Civil Service was the Administrative Class. This class was made up of highly qualified and experienced civil servants who held positions of responsibility and were involved in policy-making and implementation. They were responsible for the smooth running of government departments and agencies and were highly respected within the civil service and the wider society. The administrative class was seen as the backbone of the civil service and held a lot of power and influence. Their salaries were also the highest in the civil service, reflecting their importance and status.

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Public opinion refers to the collective views and attitudes of the people on various issues of national interest. It enables a government to find out what the public thinks about its activities, policies, and programs. By knowing the public opinion, the government can determine what policies or actions are necessary and appropriate to meet the needs and aspirations of the people. Public opinion also helps the government to gauge the level of support or opposition to its policies, as well as to identify areas of concern or dissatisfaction among the citizens. Therefore, the correct option is "find out what the public thinks about its activities."

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Under military rule in Nigeria, powers were more fused than separated. This means that the military exercised control over all arms of government and had a great influence over decision-making processes. Military leaders were often the heads of government and held executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The judiciary was also often subject to military control, and constitutional rights were often suspended. This resulted in a concentration of power in the hands of the military and a lack of separation of powers that is characteristic of democratic systems.

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The 1979 Constitution of Nigeria attempted to address some of the issues related to Nigerian federalism by incorporating provisions that would promote a more equitable distribution of power and resources among the states. The constitution provided for the reflection of federal character in public appointments, which means that appointments to key government positions must reflect the diversity of the country's ethnic and geographic regions. It also established an equitable revenue allocation formula to address the problem of lopsided allocation of resources to the regions. Additionally, the constitution made it easier to create more states and gave the states more autonomy, making the center weaker in relation to the states. However, the constitution did not relax the stringent conditions for secession.

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Before the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963, Nigeria belonged to the Monrovia Group. The Monrovia Group was a coalition of African countries that favored a more gradual approach to African unity and independence, as opposed to the more radical and immediate approach of the Casablanca Group. The Monrovia Group was formed in 1961 and included countries such as Liberia, Senegal, Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Nigeria. The group was named after Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, where the first meeting was held. The Monrovia Group played a significant role in shaping the early history of African unity and cooperation.

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Nigeria sent a peace-keeping force under the United Nations Organization to Lebanon.

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As a general rule, citizens have certain obligations and responsibilities towards their country, such as paying taxes, defending their country in times of war, and participating in the democratic process through voting. However, citizens are not typically expected to arrest and prosecute offenders themselves. This is usually the responsibility of law enforcement officials and the justice system. Similarly, while standing up during the national anthem is a sign of respect, it is not a legal obligation.

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Gerrymandering is the deliberate manipulation or tampering with the boundaries of electoral constituencies, wards, or districts to benefit one political party or group over another. The purpose of gerrymandering is to achieve a disproportionate representation in the legislative body by manipulating the demographics of the electoral constituency. This can be done in several ways, such as dividing or combining existing constituencies, redrawing boundaries to include or exclude specific areas, and altering the size or shape of constituencies to influence the outcome of an election in favor of a particular political party or group.

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The existence of the exclusive, residual, and concurrent legislative lists means that the Nigerian state is federal. This is because federalism is a system of government where power is shared between a central government and component units such as states or provinces. In Nigeria, the exclusive legislative list contains matters that only the federal government can legislate upon, the residual legislative list contains matters that only the state government can legislate upon, and the concurrent legislative list contains matters that both the federal and state governments can legislate upon. This sharing of power between the central government and component units is a defining characteristic of federalism.

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When a constitution contains complicated and long procedures for its amendments, it is said to be "rigid". A rigid constitution is one that is difficult to change or amend, requiring specific and often complicated procedures to make any modifications to it. This is done intentionally to ensure that the constitution is not easily altered by short-term political interests or temporary changes in public opinion. In contrast, a flexible constitution can be amended or changed more easily and quickly.

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The correct answer is "political socialization". Political socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn about and develop their political attitudes and values. This process can occur through various means, such as family, education, media, and peer groups. Political socialization plays a crucial role in shaping people's political beliefs and behaviors, as well as influencing their participation in the political process.

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The characteristic that was absent in the pre-colonial administration of the Igbos is a hierarchical and centralized administration. The pre-colonial Igbo society was organized in a more decentralized way, with various autonomous communities and clans having their own leaders and decision-making processes. The Igbo people believed in consultations and consensus-building, where decisions were made by the community as a whole through discussions and debates. The traditional rulers and chiefs played important roles in the administration, but they were not absolute rulers and their powers were checked by various institutions and mechanisms, such as age-grades, secret societies, and the council of elders. The Igbo people also had a rich mixture of spiritual and temporal roles, where religious and spiritual symbols were intertwined with the political and social structures of the society. Therefore, the absence of a hierarchical and centralized administration was a key characteristic of the pre-colonial Igbo administration.

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The 1954 Lyttleton Constitution marked the beginning of formal federalism in Nigeria because it outlined the division of powers between the central government and the regional governments. This means that certain responsibilities and powers were allocated to the central government while others were given to the regional governments. The creation of the posts of Governor-General at the centre and Governor in the regions, as well as the creation of a Council of Minister at the centre, were all part of the constitution's efforts to establish a federal system of government in Nigeria. This allowed for a more decentralized government structure that gave greater autonomy to the regions and allowed for a more equitable distribution of power among the various levels of government.

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The question asks for the reason that is NOT a cause of frequent military takeover of power in Nigeria. The answer, therefore, is the option that does not contribute to military intervention in Nigerian politics. Option C, "check on communist penetration of government," is the answer because communist infiltration has not been a significant factor in military coups in Nigeria. Rather, the military has typically justified their interventions as necessary to restore order, discipline, and stability in the face of perceived incompetence, corruption, and disorder in civilian government. The other options - election malpractice, corruption among top government functionaries, embezzlement of public funds, and tribalism and nepotism - have all been factors contributing to military intervention in Nigerian politics.

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The statement "Nigeria withdrew her membership of the UNO because the organization supported Biafra" is not correct. During the Nigerian Civil War, Nigeria did not withdraw its membership from the United Nations Organization (UNO) and the organization did not support Biafra. In fact, the UNO condemned the secession of Biafra and recognized Nigeria's sovereignty over its territory. Therefore, option E is the incorrect statement.

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The subject matter of Government is the organization and administration of a system of ruling a state or a community. It involves making and enforcing laws, maintaining order and security, providing public services, and managing the economy. In essence, the subject matter of government is the exercise of political power over people within a given territory. , "political power," best describes the subject matter of government. Political power is the authority to govern a society and make decisions that affect the lives of citizens. It includes the power to tax, regulate commerce, and maintain a military. While elections, people, political parties, and cultural assimilation are all relevant to government, they do not capture the full scope of its subject matter. Elections are a means of choosing leaders who will exercise political power, people are those subject to that power, political parties are organizations that compete for political power, and cultural assimilation is a process of integrating different cultural groups into a political community. However, they are not the core subject matter of government itself. In summary, the subject matter of government is the exercise of political power over people within a given territory, making "political power," the best answer.

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Power is the ability to get others to do what you want, while authority is the right to exercise power. Authority is transformed from power through legitimacy. Legitimacy refers to the acceptance of an individual's right to wield power or authority, based on a set of norms, rules, or beliefs. When power is exercised in accordance with these norms or rules, it becomes legitimate, and the individual holding the power is seen as having the authority to do so. For example, a government may exercise power through laws and regulations that are based on the constitution, and when the government is seen as legitimate, the power it wields becomes authority.

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Public opinion is the collective views of individuals in a society on a particular issue or matter of public interest. It can be crystallized or formed through various means, including opinion polls, referenda, plebiscites, and strikes. These methods allow individuals to express their opinions and preferences on various issues. However, military coups are not a means by which public opinion is crystallized. Military coups refer to the sudden overthrow of a government by the military, usually without the support of the public. In this situation, the military takes control of the government and may impose its own views and policies, often without the input or agreement of the public. Therefore, military coups do not reflect the crystallization of public opinion.

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The main deliberative organ of the United Nations Organization (UNO) is the General Assembly. The General Assembly is made up of representatives from all member countries of the UNO, and it is responsible for discussing and making recommendations on matters of international concern, including issues of peace and security, economic development, and human rights. Each member country has one vote in the General Assembly, and decisions are made by a two-thirds majority vote. The General Assembly meets once a year, and additional special sessions can be called as needed.

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In the 1979 elections in Nigeria, the total number of political parties registered was five.

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