Government JAMB Questions and Answers 2027

Correct Answer: B. The state, power, authority, and the machinery of political control

Explanation/Tip: Political science and government study how power is acquired, exercised, and distributed within a state to maintain law, order, and public welfare.

Correct Answer: B. Permanent population, defined territory, government, and independence

Explanation/Tip: According to traditional political theory (Montevideo Convention elements), sovereignty requires population, territory, government, and freedom from external control.

Correct Answer: B. Popular participation and accountability of rulers to the people

Explanation/Tip: Abraham Lincoln defined democracy famously as government of the people, by the people, and for the people, emphasizing periodic elections and civil liberties.

Correct Answer: B. Baron de Montesquieu

Explanation/Tip: In his 1748 treatise *The Spirit of the Laws*, Montesquieu argued that liberty is preserved when legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated.

Correct Answer: B. Constitutional division of powers between the central and regional governments

Explanation/Tip: Federalism involves coordinate levels of government where powers are shared constitutionally (exclusive, concurrent, and residual lists).

Correct Answer: B. Introduced the elective principle for the first time in British West Africa

Explanation/Tip: Governor Hugh Clifford’s 1922 constitution introduced elected African representation into the Legislative Council, primarily for Lagos and Calabar.

Correct Answer: C. Lyttelton Constitution of 1954

Explanation/Tip: The Lyttelton Constitution established a true federal structure for Nigeria, giving substantial autonomy to the regions (Northern, Western, Eastern) and establishing a federal capital in Lagos.

Correct Answer: B. October 1, 1963

Explanation/Tip: Exactly three years after independence, Nigeria replaced the British monarch (Queen Elizabeth II) as head of state with an indigenous President (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe).

Correct Answer: C. Interpret laws and dispense justice

Explanation/Tip: The judiciary acts as the guardian of the constitution, resolving legal disputes, punishing offenders, and checking other arms of government through judicial review.

Correct Answer: B. Views held by a significant portion of the populace on public issues

Explanation/Tip: Public opinion represents collective attitudes, beliefs, and preferences of citizens regarding political affairs and government actions.

Correct Answer: B. Legal prohibition of alternative political parties

Explanation/Tip: In a one-party system, only a single ruling party is legally permitted to exist and contest elections, eliminating organized political opposition.

Correct Answer: B. The constitutional right to vote in public elections

Explanation/Tip: Franchise (or suffrage) is the fundamental political right of qualified citizens to participate in electing representatives or deciding referendums.

Correct Answer: B. Subordinate bodies and ministries under powers conferred by parliament

Explanation/Tip: To save legislative time, parliament empowers executive bodies, ministers, and local councils to enact statutory instruments, bylaws, and orders (delegated legislation).

Correct Answer: B. Influence government policies in favor of their members’ interests

Explanation/Tip: Unlike political parties that seek to capture political power directly, pressure groups (interest groups) lobby government decision-makers to protect specific sectoral interests.

Correct Answer: A. A.V. Dicey

Explanation/Tip: In his 1885 book *Law of the Constitution*, British jurist A.V. Dicey formulated the three pillars of the rule of law: supremacy of law, equality before the law, and predominance of legal spirit.

Correct Answer: B. The third tier of government with statutory allocations

Explanation/Tip: The 1976 reform standardized local government administration across Nigeria, establishing them as the third tier of government receiving direct federal allocations.

Correct Answer: B. Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)

Explanation/Tip: INEC is the constitutionally empowered electoral body in Nigeria tasked with organizing elections for presidential, legislative, and gubernatorial offices.

Correct Answer: A. Investigate administrative injustices and abuse of office by public officials

Explanation/Tip: The Ombudsman acts as an independent citizen watchdog, investigating grievances against bureaucratic maladministration and administrative high-handedness.

Correct Answer: B. Permanent Secretary

Explanation/Tip: While the minister is the political head appointed by the president, the Permanent Secretary is a career civil servant who serves as the administrative and accounting head.

Correct Answer: B. Non-alignment and Afrocentricism

Explanation/Tip: Since independence, Africa has remained the centerpiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy, alongside non-alignment in superpower ideological conflicts.

Correct Answer: C. 2002

Explanation/Tip: The OAU was officially superseded by the African Union (AU) during the Durban Summit in July 2002 to focus more on continental economic integration and democratic governance.

Correct Answer: C. 1975

Explanation/Tip: The Treaty of Lagos signed on May 28, 1975, established the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to promote regional economic cooperation.

Correct Answer: B. Security Council

Explanation/Tip: The UN Security Council has primary responsibility under the UN Charter for maintaining international peace, with 15 members including five permanent veto-wielding powers.

Correct Answer: A. Former colonies and dominions of the British Empire

Explanation/Tip: The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of independent sovereign states, most of which were formerly under British colonial rule.

Correct Answer: B. Italy under Benito Mussolini

Explanation/Tip: Fascism emerged in Italy post-WWI, characterized by extreme nationalism, totalitarian state control, militarism, and suppression of opposition.

Correct Answer: B. Class struggle over the means of production

Explanation/Tip: Historical materialism posits that society progresses through conflicts between antagonistic economic classes (e.g., bourgeoisie vs. proletariat).

Correct Answer: B. Three regions (Northern, Western, Eastern)

Explanation/Tip: Arthur Richards formulated the 1946 constitution which created regional councils for the North, West, and East, bringing northern and southern politicians into a single legislative framework.

Correct Answer: C. Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto

Explanation/Tip: Sir Ahmadu Bello was the Premier of the Northern Region and leader of the NPC, while Tafawa Balewa served as the Federal Prime Minister.

Correct Answer: B. General Murtala Muhammed and General Olusegun Obasanjo

Explanation/Tip: Murtala Muhammed announced a transition timetable in 1975, which was successfully completed by his successor Olusegun Obasanjo, handing over power to Shehu Shagari on October 1, 1979.

Correct Answer: B. Bicameral legislature (Senate and House of Representatives)

Explanation/Tip: Nigeria operates a bicameral National Assembly consisting of the Senate (upper house) and the House of Representatives (lower house).

Correct Answer: B. Private property, free enterprise, and market-driven price mechanisms

Explanation/Tip: Capitalism relies on private entrepreneurship, profit motivation, and competitive market forces to allocate economic resources.

Correct Answer: B. Individuals acquire political values, beliefs, and orientations

Explanation/Tip: Political socialization is a lifelong process (through family, school, media, and peers) whereby citizens learn political culture and civic responsibilities.

Correct Answer: B. The Prime Minister, who is chosen from the legislature

Explanation/Tip: Parliamentary systems fuse executive and legislative powers, where the Prime Minister and cabinet members are sitting members of parliament accountable to it.

Correct Answer: B. Implement and execute policies formulated by the government of the day

Explanation/Tip: Civil servants are permanent, professional, and politically neutral bureaucrats tasked with administering government programs regardless of changes in political leadership.

Correct Answer: B. Deliberately manipulating electoral constituency boundaries to favor a political party

Explanation/Tip: Gerrymandering is an unethical electoral practice of redrawing voting district boundaries to unfairly advantage a specific political incumbent or party.

Correct Answer: A. London Constitutional Conferences of 1957 and 1958

Explanation/Tip: The London conferences of 1957 and 1958 finalized self-government dates for regions, established the office of Prime Minister, and set October 1, 1960, for Nigerian independence.

Correct Answer: B. Ensure equal representation and protect the interests of smaller federating units

Explanation/Tip: In federations like Nigeria and the US, the upper house (Senate) gives equal representation to all states regardless of population, safeguarding minority interests.

Correct Answer: B. Seek to control all aspects of citizens’ public and private lives

Explanation/Tip: While authoritarian regimes focus strictly on political obedience and suppressing political opposition, totalitarian regimes penetrate ideology, economy, and private life.

Correct Answer: B. The five permanent members (USA, UK, France, China, Russia)

Explanation/Tip: Under Article 27 of the UN Charter, any substantive resolution can be blocked by a negative vote from any of the five permanent Security Council members.

Correct Answer: B. Geographically small, ethnically homogenous nations

Explanation/Tip: Unitary states concentrate all governmental power at the center, which works best in compact, culturally cohesive societies (e.g., Britain, France).