22 Post-UTME Government 2006 questions with verified answers and worked explanations. Here are the first 10 — sign up free to practise the full paper.
In which of the following countries is governmental powers most fused?
The question is about the fusion of powers, which is a key feature of parliamentary and semi-presidential systems. France operates a semi-presidential system where the executive (President and Prime Minister) and the legislature are closely linked, leading to a significant overlap or fusion of their functions. In contrast, Nigeria and the United States are presidential systems built on the principle of separation of powers, which is the opposite of fusion.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose the United States or Nigeria because they have strong, powerful presidents, but this represents a strong executive within a system of separated powers, not a fusion of powers.
The benefits of separation of powers include the following except
The principle of separation of powers divides government authority into three branches: the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary. This division is designed to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful, thereby preventing tyranny, checking abuse of power, and avoiding arbitrary decisions. While separation of powers is a feature of democracy, the specific task of promoting and conducting free and fair elections is the primary responsibility of an independent electoral body, not a direct benefit of separating the powers of government.
Common mistake: Students may get confused by the phrase 'promoting democracy' in option C, but the specific task of running free and fair elections belongs to an electoral body, not the separation of powers.
Laws made by state government are known as
In Nigeria, the name for a law depends on which level of government made it. During military rule, laws made by a state government were called 'Edicts'. Laws made by the federal military government were called 'Decrees', laws made by the federal legislature (National Assembly) are 'Acts', and those made by local governments are 'Bye-laws'. Therefore, edicts are the laws associated with state governments, particularly in the context of military regimes.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'acts' because it is a common term for laws, but in Nigeria, this term specifically refers to laws made by the federal legislature (the National Assembly), not a state legislature.
In a parliamentary system of government, the function of the head of state and the head of government are vested in
In a parliamentary system, there is a clear separation between the Head of State and the Head of Government. The Head of State, who could be a monarch or a ceremonial president, performs official and symbolic duties. The Head of Government, usually the Prime Minister, is responsible for the day-to-day running of the government and holds the real executive power. Therefore, these two important functions are carried out by two different individuals.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'an individual' because they confuse the parliamentary system with the presidential system, where the president serves as both head of state and head of government.
In a modern democracy, the ultimate source of sovereignty is the
Sovereignty means the supreme power or authority to govern a state. In a modern democracy, this ultimate power rests with the people, a principle called 'popular sovereignty'. The people exercise this power by electing their leaders and can remove them from office through elections, which shows that the government's authority comes from the consent of the governed.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose the legislature and executive because these bodies visibly exercise governmental power, but they forget that in a democracy, this power is only delegated to them by the people.
The British took over Nigeria through
The British established control over the territories that became Nigeria primarily by signing treaties with local kings and chiefs. These treaties were a form of negotiation, which gave British companies like the Royal Niger Company and later the British government, authority over the land. While military force was also used, the official and widespread method claimed by Britain for the takeover was through these negotiated agreements.
Common mistake: Students often mistakenly choose 'war' because the British did use military conquest in some cases, but the initial and overarching method used to legally justify their control was through treaties.
Politics is an act for
Politics is fundamentally the process by which people in a society make decisions and manage their affairs. This involves creating rules and institutions to organize community life, which is the essential act of man governing himself. While politics involves creating governments and exercising power, its core purpose is the collective self-governance of a community.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose option B, 'man to create governments', because government is a product of politics, but it is only a tool for the main purpose, which is self-governance.
A major issue that distinguishes pressure groups from political parties is
The main difference between a political party and a pressure group is their primary goal or objective. A political party's main aim is to contest elections in order to win political power and form a government. On the other hand, a pressure group does not seek to control the government; its main objective is to influence government policies and decisions to favour its own specific interests.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose 'ideology' because both groups can be based on strong beliefs, but the fundamental difference lies in their ultimate goal of either controlling government or just influencing it.
A nation consist of people with
A nation is a group of people who feel a strong sense of belonging together. This shared identity is built on several factors, including a common history, common ancestry, and a shared set of values and culture. Since all the options listed are key characteristics that help define a nation, the most comprehensive and correct answer is D, which includes all of them.
Common mistake: Students might mistakenly choose only one option like 'common history' because it is a strong feature of a nation, but they forget that a nation is a complex identity formed by multiple factors combined.
A totalitarian state is based on
A totalitarian state is a form of government that has total control over every aspect of public and private life, allowing no individual freedom. To achieve and maintain this absolute control, the state must rely on force, threats, and suppression of all opposition. Therefore, coercion (the use of force) is the fundamental instrument on which a totalitarian government is based.
Common mistake: Students may mistakenly choose option C because the word 'totality' sounds similar to 'totalitarian,' but it only describes the scope of the state's power, not the forceful method used to maintain it.
Sign up free to unlock every question in this paper — with the verified answer and Beta's worked explanation on each one. No card needed to begin.
Start free