Q1. List and explain any five basic functions performed by a modern government.
Q2. Identify and explain five basic features of the Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946.
Q3. What are the main objectives of Nigeria's foreign policy? Suggest four ways through which the objectives can be realized.
Q4. What is a political party? Explain any five functions of a political party.
Q5. Explain the differences between constitution and constitutionalism.
Q6. Outline and explain five basic functions of the executive arm of government.
Q7. Identify and explain the reasons for the introduction of indirect rule in Nigeria by the British colonialists. Why did indirect rule fail in the Eastern part of Nigeria?
Q8. Write short notes on any three of the following:
(I) Socialism (II) Capitalism (III) Communism (IV) Fascism (V) Anarchism
GOV 001 — Elements of Government
Q1(a). What is Political Socialization? [3 marks]
Q1(b). Outline and explain three agents of political socialization. [12 marks]
Q2(a). Explain Parliamentary system of government. [3 marks]
Q2(b). Discuss four differences between Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government. [12 marks]
GOV 002 — Fundamentals of Government
Q3(a). What is a coup d'état? [3 marks]
Q3(b). Advance four reasons why a coup d'état is said to be an aberration. [12 marks]
Q4. The low productivity and inefficiency of public corporations in Nigeria are a result of many challenges. Discuss any five of these challenges. [15 marks]
GOV 003 — Nigerian Government and Politics
Q5(a). Define the policy of Indirect Rule. [3 marks]
Q5(b). List and discuss four defects of the policy on British colonies. [12 marks]
Q6. Discuss elaborately five achievements of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC) in Nigeria's First Republic. [15 marks]
GOV 004 — African Government and Politics
Q7. Explain any five effects of colonialism on African societies. [15 marks]
Q8(a). What is Military Rule? [3 marks]
Q8(b). Discuss three characteristics of military regimes. [12 marks]
ANSWERS
Q1 — Five Basic Functions of a Modern Government
i. Maintenance of Law and Order: Government enacts and enforces laws through the police, courts, and prisons to protect citizens from crime and ensure peaceful coexistence.
ii. Protection of Lives and Property: Through the military and security agencies, government defends citizens from external aggression and internal threats.
iii. Provision of Social Services: Government constructs and maintains roads, schools, hospitals, and public utilities.
iv. Economic Regulation: Government regulates trade, banking, industry, and commerce to ensure a stable economy and curb monopoly.
v. Promotion of Social Welfare: Government implements welfare schemes for the poor, elderly, disabled, and other vulnerable groups.
Q2 — Five Features of the Arthur Richards Constitution of 1946
i. Introduction of Regionalism: Divided Nigeria into three regions — North, West, and East — each with its own regional council.
ii. Establishment of a Central Legislative Council: Created to deliberate on national matters, though officials still held the majority.
iii. Limited African Representation: Representation was largely indirect and minimal.
iv. Retention of Executive Power by the Governor: The Governor-General retained overwhelming executive authority.
v. Absence of True Federalism: Regional councils existed, but the central government retained dominant control.
Q3 — Nigeria's Foreign Policy Objectives and Ways to Realize Them
Main Objectives:
- Promotion and protection of national interest
- Promotion of African unity and liberation from colonialism
- Promotion of international peace, security, and cooperation
- Respect for international law and peaceful settlement of disputes
- Economic diplomacy and development cooperation
Four Ways to Realize These Objectives:
i. Active Participation in International Organizations: Engagement with the UN, AU, ECOWAS, etc.
ii. Economic Diplomacy: Trade agreements, foreign direct investment, strategic partnerships.
iii. Peacekeeping Contributions: Deployment to regional peacekeeping operations (e.g. ECOMOG).
iv. Bilateral and Multilateral Treaties: Negotiating treaties on trade, security, education, and technology.
Q4 — What is a Political Party? Five Functions
A political party is an organised group sharing common political beliefs and goals who contest elections to gain and exercise political power.
i. Political Recruitment: Identifying and presenting candidates for public office.
ii. Political Socialisation: Educating the public on political issues and civic responsibilities.
iii. Mobilisation of the Masses: Organising citizens for voting, campaigning, and participation.
iv. Formulation of Policies: Developing manifestos that guide governance if elected.
v. Aggregation of Interests: Channeling diverse group demands into coherent policy proposals.
Q5 — Differences Between Constitution and Constitutionalism
| Basis | Constitution | Constitutionalism |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Body of fundamental rules establishing government structure and powers | Doctrine that government must act within constitutional limits |
| Nature | Written or unwritten legal document | Political doctrine/philosophy |
| Focus | Institutions, rights, procedures | Restraint, accountability, respect for limits |
| Existence | Every state has one | Not every state practices it |
| Example | Nigeria's 1999 Constitution | A government respecting separation of powers and rule of law |
A constitution is the instrument; constitutionalism is the spirit and practice of governing within its limits.
Q6 — Five Basic Functions of the Executive Arm
i. Policy Formulation and Implementation: Initiates and executes government policies through MDAs.
ii. Maintenance of Law and Order: Enforces laws via police and security services.
iii. Appointment of Key Officials: Appoints ministers, ambassadors, judges, etc.
iv. Conduct of Foreign Affairs: Manages diplomacy and represents the state internationally.
v. Preparation and Execution of the Budget: Prepares and oversees the national budget.
Q7 — Indirect Rule: Reasons for Introduction and Failure in the East
Reasons for Introduction:
i. Cost Efficiency: Cheaper than direct administration.
ii. Shortage of British Personnel: Insufficient administrators for direct rule.
iii. Existence of Established Traditional Institutions: Especially the emirate system in the North.
iv. Superior Local Knowledge: Traditional rulers understood local customs better.
v. Reduction of Resistance: Governing through local leaders minimised revolt.
Why It Failed in the East:
i. Absence of Centralised Authority: Igbo society was largely acephalous, with no equivalent to Northern emirs.
ii. The Warrant Chief Problem: Imposed "Warrant Chiefs" had no traditional legitimacy and were resented.
iii. Democratic and Egalitarian Culture: Decisions were made by age grades and village assemblies, resisting single-ruler authority.
iv. The Aba Women's Riots of 1929: Exposed the system's collapse, forcing a colonial policy rethink.
Q8 — Short Notes on Political Ideologies
I. Socialism: Advocates collective/state ownership of production to reduce inequality; can coexist with democracy.
II. Capitalism: Private ownership, free markets, competition, and profit motive with minimal state interference.
III. Communism: Marx/Engels' vision of a classless, stateless society with communal ownership and abolition of private property.
IV. Fascism: Far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist ideology marked by dictatorship and suppression of opposition (e.g. Mussolini, Hitler).
V. Anarchism: Advocates abolition of coercive authority/the state in favor of voluntary, cooperative organisation.
GOV 001 — Elements of Government
Q1(a) — Political Socialisation: The lifelong process by which individuals acquire political knowledge, values, and attitudes shaping civic participation.
Q1(b) — Three Agents:
i. The Family: Earliest agent; transmits political opinions and party loyalties.
ii. Schools: Formally teaches civic education, national values, and democratic respect.
iii. Mass Media: Exposes citizens to political news and shapes public opinion.
Q2(a) — Parliamentary System: Executive derives authority from and is accountable to parliament; PM comes from the majority party (e.g. UK).
Q2(b) — Four Differences (Parliamentary vs Presidential):
i. Executive-Legislature Relationship: Fused vs. separated powers.
ii. Head of State vs Head of Government: Separate roles vs. combined in one president.
iii. Tenure of Office: No-confidence vote vs. fixed term.
iv. Decision-Making: Collective/cabinet-based vs. individual presidential authority.
GOV 002 — Fundamentals of Government
Q3(a) — Coup d'état: Sudden, illegal, forceful seizure of state power, usually by the military, overthrowing a legitimate government.
Q3(b) — Four Reasons It's an Aberration:
i. Fundamentally undemocratic — bypasses the people's will.
ii. Violates the constitution and rule of law.
iii. Generates political instability (counter-coups, unrest).
iv. Leads to authoritarianism and human rights violations.
Q4 — Five Challenges of Public Corporations in Nigeria:
i. Political Interference: Unqualified appointments and diverted resources.
ii. Corruption and Misappropriation: Embezzlement and inflated contracts.
iii. Inadequate Funding: Chronic underfunding causing deterioration.
iv. Bureaucratic Bottlenecks: Red tape delaying execution.
v. Shortage of Skilled Manpower: Politically motivated, non-merit appointments.
GOV 003 — Nigerian Government and Politics
Q5(a) — Indirect Rule: Colonial policy of governing through existing traditional rulers under British supervision.
Q5(b) — Four Defects:
i. Abuse of power by traditional rulers.
ii. Promotion of ethnic division.
iii. Resistance to modernisation.
iv. Failure to build unified national administration.
Q6 — Five Achievements of the NCNC:
i. Promotion of Nigerian nationalism and unity.
ii. Active role in constitutional development (Macpherson Constitution, independence).
iii. Advancement of education.
iv. Political mobilisation and mass participation.
v. Advocacy for economic development.
GOV 004 — African Government and Politics
Q7 — Five Effects of Colonialism on Africa:
i. Economic exploitation and underdevelopment.
ii. Destruction of traditional cultures and values.
iii. Arbitrary territorial boundaries (Berlin Conference).
iv. Introduction of new governance/legal systems.
v. Urbanisation and social disruption.
Q8(a) — Military Rule: Armed forces seizing power, usually via coup, suspending the constitution and governing by decree.
Q8(b) — Three Characteristics of Military Regimes:
i. Concentration and centralisation of power.
ii. Suppression of political opposition and civil liberties.
iii. Rule by decree, absence of rule of law.