1983 JAMB GOVERNMENT PAST QUESTIONS

UME 1983 GOVERNMENT QUESTIONS

1.     Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the parliamentary system of government? A Ministers are usually members of parliament B The Prime Minister is politically responsible to the parliament C The Head of State is the powerful organ of government D The Head of Government may advise the Head of State to dissolve parliament E The Party in opposition provides the Shadow Government.

2.     Capitalism is an economic system in which A the economy of the State is centrally planned and controlled B Private persons are permitted to undertake enterprises C accumulation of private property is forbidden D that means of production are owned and controlled by the State E all big industries and the land are publicly owned for common good.

3.     The process of depriving persons of the right of voting is called A enfranchisement B disqualification C dismissal D prohibition E disenfranchisement.

4.      Bicameralsm refers to A a one chamber legislature B the process of voting in the legislature C the upper chamber in a legislature D a two chamber legislatureE legislature in all sovereign States.

5.     The principle of the separation of powers implies that the three main organs of government work A separately B independently and co-operatively C against one another D relunctantly and gradually for the executive E together in the interest of other nations.

6.     The main function of the judiciary is to A serve as the watchdog of the Executive B enact laws C execute the laws of the land D interpret the laws E protect the interest of accused persons.

7.      A totalitarian government is A a government that aspires to control every aspect of a citizen’s life B a government for the masses C a government of the people, by the people, and for the people D a weak government E controlled by the rich

8.     An unwritten consititution operates in A. Guinea B U.S.A. C Great Britain D China E Nigeria.

9.     A sovereign state is one A whose constitution can only be changed by a military government B where its citizens can speak without fear or favour C in which sovereignty is invested in the military D whose citizens are free to evade responsibility E whose government decisions are made independent of sovereign interference

10.  Representative Democracy is best characterized by A free elections and proper register of voters B proper constituencies and a real choice of candidates C a politically educated electorate D representation only for the poor E rule by the interest groups.

11.  The primary function of a legislature is A appointing a president B lawmaking C vetoing bills D monitoring the judiciary E re-assigning civil servants

12.  According to Marxist theory, those who own and control the means of production in a capitalist society are A exploiters B. colonialists C. workers D. shareholders E. bourgeoisie

13.   While political parties aim at forming a government pressure groups aim at A imposing military rule B causing social unrest C influencing governmental decisions D controlling a nation’s economy E getting workers to unite

14.  When the electorate vote for representatives who in turn vote on their behalf we say it is A. an indirect election B. an unfair election C. a rigged election D. a disputed election E. a biased election

15.  An election which is conducted to fill a vacant seat in a legislature is called a A by election B. general election C referendum D plebiscite E mini election.

16.  Which of the following countries does NOT operate a Federal constitution A U.S.A. B. Canada C Nigeria D. France E Switzerland

17.  The major advantage of the secret ballot is that A it is faster than other systems B nobody can be prevented from voting C it ensures the anonymity of each voter D losers can ask for another secret vote E it extends the franchise to all adults

18.   Which of these statements is CORRECT about Proportional Representation? A It makes the assembly representative of all citizens B It is simple to operate C It preserves the party system D. It gives the parties seats in proportion to their popular support E. It legalizes dictatorship

19.   In a one party State A there are no free citizens B. communism is banned C. the communist party is the only legal party D. the ruling party is the only legal party E. elections to the legislature are held at the party’s conferences

20.  A cabinet system of government is practised in A Britain and Canada B. Nigeria C. The Soviet Union D. All European countries including Britain E. The United States of America

21.   A party system made up of more than two parties may not qualify for the title of a multi-party system when A. the country in question has a unitary form of government B. the country in question has a federal form of government C. the parties are not competitive D. different parties are supported by distinct political interests E. the parties have identical structure

22.   A proclamation by the Head of State ending a session of parliament is called A. a dissolution B. an adjournment C. a prorogation D. an abrogation E. a devolution

23.  The constitutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria A promotes unity in diversity B allows for the dominance of the minority ethnic groups C concentrates governmental power at one level of government D advances the interest of the rich E ensures the dominance of one political party.

24.  The transfer of authority to local government council is known as A demarcation B delegation C fusion D fragmentation E devolution

25.  The principle of anonymity of civil servants means that they A have a career B are not the servant of a particular government C. are trained for the duties they performed D. are credited or blamed for anything they do E. are entitled to pension and gratuity when they retire

26.  The six registered political parties in Nigeria in 1982 were A UPN, NPN, PPA, PPP, NPP and NAP B. NPN, UPN, NPP,PRP,PPP, and NNDP C. PPA, NCNC, GNPP, NPN, UPN and PPP D. UPN, GNPP, NAP, PRP, NPP and NPN E. NPC, GNPP, PRP, UPN, NPP and PPA.

27.  Which if the following is NOT a pressure group in Nigeria? A Farmers B. The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) C. The Catholic church D. Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) E Nigeria Medical Association (NMA)

28.  The N.C.N.C. sent a delegation to London in 1947 to protest against the A Burns constitutions B Republican Constitutions C. Richards Constitution D. Lyttleton Consitition E Macpherson Consitution

29.  A popular principle of colonial administration in British West Africa was A association B indirect rule C paternalism D westernization E assimilation

30.  The three great Nigerian nationalists between 1950 and1966 were A. Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo B. Ahmadu Bello, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Theophilus Danjuma C. Obafemi Awolowo, Herbert Macaulay and Ahmadu Bello D.Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo and Ahmadu Bello E. K.O. Mbadiwe, S.L. Akintola and Herbert Macaulay

31.  The first Governor-General of colonial Nigeria was A. Sir Hugh Clifford B. Sir James Robertson C. Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe D. Sir Ralph Moore E. Lord Lugard

32.  The first military government in Nigeria was headed by A General Yakubu Gowon B. General Aguiyi Ironsi C. General M. Mohammed D. General O. Obasanjo E. General Hassan Katsina

33.  The legislature in every state of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is called the A State National Assembly B. State Legislative Council C. State Traditional Council D House of Assembly E. State House of Representatives.

34.  The 1979 Nigerian Constitution is unique because it A provides for a head of government B introduces a participation of women in politics C provides for a head of state who is also head of government D provides for a House of Chiefs E. makes all men equal before the law

35.  The supreme organ of the U.N.O. is the A General Assembly B Secretary General C. World Court E. World Bank

36.  Which Public Commission was not established by the 1979 constitution? A Udoji Commission B. Federal Electoral Commission C. Public Service Commission D. Public Complaint Commission E. National Population Commission

37.   Local Government Reforms were carried out by the Federal Military Government in A 1970 B. 1976 C. 1979 D. 1967 E.1966.

38.   Lagos became a Gowon Colony in A .1900 B. 1914 C. 1886 D. 1881 E. 1862.

39.  Nigerian elites agitated against colonial rule A by guerrilla warfare B. by civil war C. through television D. through newspapers E. by bribing colonial governors

40.  The first political party in Nigeria was formed after the introduction of the A. Richards Constitution B. Clifford Constitution C. Bourdillon constitution D. Macpherson Constitution E. Lyttleton Constitution

41.  The ECOWAS  treaty was signed in 1975 in A Accra B. Banjul C. Freetown D. Abidjan E. Lome

42.  The major innovation of the Republican constitution of 1963 was that A. the Prime Minister ceased to be Head of State B. the Governor’s office as the representative of the Queen was abolished C. the Cabinet was no longer responsible to the legislature D. it introduced the Executive Presidential System E. the Prime Minister was nominated by the executive Council

43.  Which of these was NOT a demand of the nationalists movements in Nigeria? A Promotion of Africans to senior service positions B. Increase African representation in the legislative assemblies C. Improved conditions of service and salaries for Africa D. Withdrawal of Military bases from Africa E. Reduction of the dictatorship of colonial officers.

44.  Under the 1979 Nigerian Constitution, each state is allowed to elect A. two senators B. five senators C. as many senators as the state can finance D. from two to five senators depending on the population of the state E. ten senators.

45.  The Independence Constitution A. provided for a republican status for the country B. created a unitary state C. was negotiated by Nigerians D. was imposed on Nigerians by the British E. introduced the military into Nigerian politics.

46.  The first general election in Nigeria was held in A. 1933 B. 1952 C. 1955 D. 1959 E. 1964

47.  The 1979 Nigerian Constitution provides for Presidential elections every A. four years B. eight years C. time the military hands over the reins of government D. time the incumbent is impeached or dies E. time the Vice President is impeached

48.   In Nigeria, the constitution that preserves civil liberty is the A. Public Complaints Commission B. Federal Electoral Commission C. Law courts D. National Security Organisation E. Police Commission

49.  Nigeria became a Federation under the new constitution of 1954 became the constitution A. provided for equal representation between the North and the South B. created the post of a Prime Minister C. provided for a division of members of parliament D. provided for a division of functions between the centre and component units. E. abolished the practice of nominating some members of parliament.

50.  The Economic Commission for Africa is an agency of the A. O.A.U B. O.P.E.C. C. U.N.O. D. N.A.T.O. E. E.C.O.W.A.S