JAMB Past Questions

JAMB Government 2010
Questions & Answers

40 questions · Correct answers highlighted · 40 with explanations

40 Total Questions
2010 Exam Year
40 With Explanations
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1
Question 1 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Public opinion is important because it

A. tells government what action it must take
B. lets government know what the people want
C. allows the police to determine trouble makers
D. protects minorities
Explanation

Public opinion informs the government of the people's desires and needs, helping shape policies that reflect the will of the citizens.

2
Question 2 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Which branch of government is responsible for implementing laws?

A. Executive
B. Legislature
C. Judiciary
D. Police
Explanation

The executive branch is responsible for implementing and enforcing laws passed by the legislature.

3
Question 3 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Universal Adult Suffrage means

A. all adult citizens can vote
B. all citizens can vote
C. all qualified citizens can vote
D. all literate citizens can vote
Explanation

Universal Adult Suffrage refers to the right of all qualified adult citizens to vote, typically subject to age and registration requirements.

4
Question 4 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

In a democracy, sovereignty is vested in

A. the community
B. public officials
C. judges
D. the Head of State
Explanation

In a democracy, sovereignty belongs to the community, as the people are the ultimate source of authority through their votes.

5
Question 5 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

A bill that applies to the whole population and is intended to promote the general welfare is called

A. a private bill
B. a decree
C. an appropriation bill
D. a public bill
Explanation

A public bill applies to the entire population and aims to promote general welfare, such as laws on health or education.

6
Question 6 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The rule of law implies

A. the rule by lawyers
B. that only the Head of State is above the law
C. the absence of a military government
D. that no one is above the law
Explanation

The rule of law means that everyone, including government officials, is subject to the law, ensuring equality before the law.

7
Question 7 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

A one-party system of government

A. is found in Africa
B. allows no official opposition
C. does not provide for a legislature
D. is practised only where citizens share identical views about policy
Explanation

A one-party system does not allow official opposition, as only the ruling party is legally recognized.

8
Question 8 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

A constitution is classified as unwritten because it

A. is used in Britain
B. has no written records
C. makes no provision for a clear cut separation of powers
D. is not contained in any one document
Explanation

An unwritten constitution, like Britain’s, is not contained in a single document but consists of statutes, conventions, and traditions.

9
Question 9 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Delegated legislation is the power to make laws by

A. local councils when parliament is in recess
B. bodies other than parliament
C. the International Law Commission
D. military rulers
Explanation

Delegated legislation refers to laws made by bodies other than parliament, such as government agencies, under authority granted by parliament.

10
Question 10 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

In a unitary system of government

A. political power is diffused
B. there is a high degree of centralization
C. there is no separation of powers
D. parliament is very weak
Explanation

A unitary system centralizes power in the national government, with little or no power delegated to sub-national units.

11
Question 11 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Case-laws are made by the

A. Legislature
B. Executive
C. Judiciary
D. Attorney General and Minister of Justice
Explanation

Case-laws, or judicial precedents, are established by the judiciary through court decisions.

12
Question 12 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The theory of separation of powers was first clearly formulated by

A. Jean Bodin
B. John Austin
C. Baron de Montesquieu
D. Lord Bryce
Explanation

Baron de Montesquieu formulated the theory of separation of powers in his 1748 work, *The Spirit of the Laws*, advocating for the division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

13
Question 13 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The deliberate tampering with the delimitation of constituencies to win more seats is called

A. gerontocracy
B. gerrymandering
C. delimitation
D. bureaucracy
Explanation

Gerrymandering involves manipulating constituency boundaries to favor a particular party or candidate in elections.

14
Question 14 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Fascism developed in

A. France
B. Germany
C. Italy
D. Soviet Union
Explanation

Fascism originated in Italy under Benito Mussolini in the early 20th century, emphasizing authoritarian rule and nationalism.

15
Question 15 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Which of the following is a good example of a confederal state?

A. Nigeria
B. Switzerland
C. United States
D. Ghana
Explanation

Switzerland is a confederation where cantons retain significant autonomy, unlike Nigeria and the United States (federal states) or Ghana (unitary state).

16
Question 16 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

In a simple majority electoral system, the candidate that wins is the one who

A. obtains the greatest number of votes cast
B. has spent the most amount of money
C. has travelled most widely in the country
D. is endorsed by traditional rulers
Explanation

In a simple majority system, the candidate with the highest number of votes wins, even if it’s not an absolute majority.

17
Question 17 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

An election conducted to fill a vacant post in a Legislature is known as

A. a primary election
B. a general election
C. a by-election
D. a referendum
Explanation

A by-election is held to fill a vacant seat in a Legislature, typically due to resignation or death of a member.

18
Question 18 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Constitutionalism means

A. the constitution is largely made up of conventions
B. the constitution is not easy to amend
C. the provisions of the constitution are strictly adhered to
D. there is a constitutional Head of State
Explanation

Constitutionalism refers to adherence to the principles and provisions of a constitution, ensuring governance within its framework.

19
Question 19 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Which of these is NOT a member of the Judiciary?

A. The chief justice
B. A high court judge
C. A magistrate
D. A lawyer
Explanation

A lawyer is not a member of the judiciary; they are legal practitioners, while the judiciary includes judges, magistrates, and justices.

20
Question 20 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

A person who is disenfranchised is

A. allowed to be voted for
B. allowed to exercise their voting right
C. not permitted to vote
D. allowed to nominate a candidate
Explanation

Disenfranchisement means being deprived of the right to vote, often due to legal or administrative reasons.

21
Question 21 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The head of the executive branch in a parliamentary system is called the

A. prime minister
B. president
C. majority leader
D. senate president
Explanation

In a parliamentary system, the prime minister is the head of the executive branch, leading the government.

22
Question 22 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The political neutrality of civil servants implies that they

A. are not allowed to join any organization or group
B. have no dealings with politicians
C. are not allowed to be involved in partisan politics
D. have permanent tenure
Explanation

Political neutrality means civil servants must not engage in partisan politics, ensuring they serve the state impartially.

23
Question 23 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The supreme power of a state to make and enforce laws within its jurisdiction is called

A. decolonization
B. independence
C. nationalism
D. sovereignty
Explanation

Sovereignty is the ultimate authority of a state to govern itself, make laws, and enforce them within its territory.

24
Question 24 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Ceremonial and executive powers are usually fused in a

A. unitary system of government
B. federal government
C. democratic system
D. presidential system of government
Explanation

In a presidential system, the president often combines ceremonial roles (as Head of State) with executive powers (as Head of Government).

25
Question 25 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Which of the following is a method of political participation?

A. Paying taxes
B. Voting in elections
C. Attending school
D. Driving a car
Explanation

Voting in elections is a direct form of political participation, allowing citizens to influence government decisions.

26
Question 26 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

What is the primary function of the legislature?

A. To enforce laws
B. To interpret laws
C. To make laws
D. To appoint judges
Explanation

The legislature's primary function is to make laws, which are then implemented by the executive and interpreted by the judiciary.

27
Question 27 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The concept of checks and balances ensures that

A. no branch of government becomes too powerful
B. the executive has supreme authority
C. the judiciary controls the legislature
D. the military oversees governance
Explanation

Checks and balances ensure that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches can limit each other's power, preventing any one branch from dominating.

28
Question 28 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

A political party’s main objective is to

A. organize cultural events
B. control the judiciary
C. gain political power
D. manage public transportation
Explanation

A political party’s primary goal is to gain political power by winning elections to implement its policies and govern.

29
Question 29 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The principle of collective responsibility is most associated with which system?

A. Presidential system
B. Parliamentary system
C. Confederal system
D. Unitary system
Explanation

In a parliamentary system, collective responsibility means the cabinet must collectively support government decisions or resign.

30
Question 30 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The term 'franchise' in politics refers to

A. the right to form a political party
B. the right to vote
C. the right to free speech
D. the right to protest
Explanation

Franchise refers to the right to vote in elections, a key aspect of democratic participation.

31
Question 31 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Local governments in Nigeria are created to

A. create more civil service jobs
B. encourage competitions among groups
C. bring government closer to the people
D. prevent the creation of more states
Explanation

Local governments are established to bring governance closer to the people, addressing local needs and promoting grassroots development.

32
Question 32 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates of Nigeria occurred in

A. 1914
B. 1922
C. 1951
D. 1953
Explanation

The amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates occurred in 1914 under Lord Frederick Lugard, creating a unified Nigeria.

33
Question 33 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

ECOWAS is

A. an international military organization
B. a regional economic organization
C. a trans-national religious group
D. a West African English-speaking organization
Explanation

ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) is a regional economic organization aimed at promoting economic integration in West Africa.

34
Question 34 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

Which of the following is NOT a member of ECOWAS?

A. Nigeria
B. Togo
C. Ghana
D. Cameroon
Explanation

Cameroon is not a member of ECOWAS, which includes West African states like Nigeria, Togo, and Ghana.

35
Question 35 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The Lyttleton Constitution is significant because it

A. confirmed Nigeria’s independence in 1960
B. formalized Nigeria’s federal structure
C. introduced franchise into Nigerian politics
D. made Nigeria sovereign
Explanation

The Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 formalized Nigeria’s federal structure, granting more autonomy to the regions.

36
Question 36 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The Macpherson Constitution of Nigeria created a

A. bicameral legislature for Eastern Nigeria
B. bicameral legislature for the central government
C. unicameral legislature for Western Nigeria
D. bicameral legislature for Western Nigeria
Explanation

The Macpherson Constitution of 1951 established a bicameral legislature for the central government, with a House of Representatives and a House of Chiefs.

37
Question 37 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The Richards Constitution introduced into Nigeria

A. federalism
B. republicanism
C. regionalism
D. a multi-party system
Explanation

The Richards Constitution of 1946 introduced regionalism by dividing Nigeria into three regions: Northern, Eastern, and Western.

38
Question 38 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

In 1966, the military intervened in Nigerian politics because

A. the country was not operating a presidential system
B. the number of legislators was too large
C. crude oil had been discovered
D. there was a high level of corruption
Explanation

The 1966 military coup was triggered by widespread corruption, political instability, and ethnic tensions in the First Republic.

39
Question 39 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP) of the pre-independence era

A. dominated the political scene in Lagos
B. was formed to replace the Action Group
C. had branches all over the country
D. was supported by traditional rulers
Explanation

The NNDP, founded by Herbert Macaulay, was primarily active in Lagos and dominated the political scene there during the pre-independence period.

40
Question 40 of 40
JAMB · Government · 2010

The Clifford Constitution of 1922

A. provided for universal adult suffrage
B. made the Governor dependent on the Executive Council
C. provided for an unofficial majority in the Legislative Council
D. introduced the elective principle into Nigerian politics
Explanation

The Clifford Constitution of 1922 introduced the elective principle, allowing a limited number of Nigerians to vote for Legislative Council members.

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