This practice paper centers on comparative political institutions, core ideological frameworks, and the institutional milestones of Nigerian history. The questions regularly visit themes such as executive and legislative structures in parliamentary versus presidential systems, fundamental human rights and legal safeguards like habeas corpus, and traditional pre-colonial systems alongside the administrative history of colonial Nigeria. Maximize your preparation by focusing on the underlying structural differences between various forms of government and studying the detailed explanations rather than simply memorizing the final correct options.
Topics in this paper
Under the Independence Constitution
A student might mistakenly choose options A, C, or D by confusing later constitutional adjustments with the specific provisions of the initial legal framework. The 1960 Independence Constitution of Nigeria established a bicameral legislature comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate to ensure balanced representation and legislative oversight. Common mistake: Misattributing single-chamber traditions or later senate sizing rules to the independence framework.
Which of the following nations does not have veto power in the Security Council of the UNO?
Options A, B, and C might tempt students who forget which European or Asian nations hold permanent status on the council. Germany is not a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council; instead, the five permanent members possessing veto power are Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States. Common mistake: Assuming major economic powers like Germany automatically hold permanent Security Council veto seats.
Public corporations are established mainly to
Options A, B, and C might be chosen by a student who overlooks the operational economic goals of state-run enterprises. Public corporations are created to deliver essential services like electricity or transportation on a commercial basis, aiming to meet public needs while maintaining financial viability. Common mistake: Assuming state enterprises exist solely for advisory roles or internal board member benefits rather than commercial service delivery.
The first military coup d’etat in Nigeria occurred on
Options A, B, and D could confuse students who mix up national independence milestones or subsequent post-independence calendar years. The first military coup in Nigeria took place on January 15, 1966, led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, which overthrew the First Republic government and led to significant political changes. Common mistake: Confusing the October 1st independence anniversary dates with the subsequent military takeover date.
Nigeria adopted a republican constitution on
Options A, C, or D might trick test-takers who conflate the initial year of independence with subsequent governmental transformations. Nigeria became a republic on October 1, 1963, adopting a republican constitution that replaced the British monarch with a Nigerian president as the Head of State. Common mistake: Believing the country became a republic the exact year it gained independence.
The following six political parties were registered for the 1983 elections
A student might incorrectly select options featuring entirely different coalitions or incorrect abbreviations not present on the historical record. The correct groups were officially sanctioned for the 1983 Nigerian polls, comprising the National Party of Nigeria (NPN), National Advanced Party (NAP), Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), Great Nigeria People’s Party (GNPP), and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Common mistake: confusing the registered parties of the 1983 elections with those of previous political eras.
In Nigeria, the office of Prime Minister was first created in
An examinee might mistakenly choose 1954 by confusing the Lyttleton Constitution with an earlier constitutional milestone. Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa assumed the newly established post of Nigeria’s first Prime Minister under the Lyttleton Constitution in 1957. Common mistake: mixing up the year the Lyttleton Constitution created the premiership with other constitutional dates in Nigerian history.
The non-permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations Organisations (UNO) are elected for
A test-taker might incorrectly pick a 3 or 4 year term by confusing UN bodies with standard presidential terms. Non-permanent members of the U.N. Security Council hold 2-year terms, with five of the ten seats elected annually to ensure rotation and representation. Common mistake: failing to remember the specific 2-year rotational duration for non-permanent Security Council seats.
The Economic Commission for Africa is an organ of
A student might mistakenly select ECOWAS or the O.A.U. due to their regional African focus. The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) operates as a United Nations body established to foster economic and social development across African countries, frequently collaborating with entities like the Organization of African Unity (now African Union). Common mistake: assuming a regional African agency must belong exclusively to an African continental bloc rather than the United Nations.
Aristocracy is the system of government in which the few rule for
An examinee might choose 'the benefit of a few' by misinterpreting the narrow definition of oligarchy or elite rule. Aristocracy refers to a system where a small, privileged elite governs, typically prioritizing their own interests and benefits over those of the broader population. Common mistake: selecting options that mirror the size of the ruling class rather than their self-serving objective.
The two primary elements in politics are
A student might mistakenly guess 'war and peace' because politics often involves international hostilities and treaties. Politics revolves around order (establishing governance and stability) and conflict (competing interests and ideologies), which drive political processes and decision-making. Common mistake: overlooking internal governance and competing interests in favor of international relations.
A nation state is synonymous with a
An examinee might select 'nation' by focusing solely on the cultural or ethnic components of a population. A nation-state is a sovereign state where the population shares a common identity, culture, or history, making 'sovereign state' the most accurate synonym. Common mistake: equating a cultural nation with an independent political entity.
Legislative supremacy exists in
A student might incorrectly select Nigeria by confusing its federal judiciary with parliamentary systems. Legislative supremacy is a hallmark of Britain’s parliamentary system, where Parliament holds supreme legal authority due to the unwritten constitution and lack of judicial review over primary legislation. Common mistake: confusing countries with written constitutions and judicial review with those possessing unwritten constitutions and parliamentary supremacy.
Presidentialism is a system of government in which
An examinee might mistakenly choose options describing a system where the head of state and chief executive are split. Presidentialism features an elected head of state (the president) who serves as both head of state and chief executive, wielding significant executive powers, as seen in Nigeria since 1979. Common mistake: blending parliamentary executive roles into a presidential framework.
The main function of the upper chamber in a parliamentary system of government is to
A student might incorrectly pick initiating new legislation, which is usually the primary domain of the lower chamber. The upper chamber, such as the House of Lords in Britain or the Senate in Nigeria, primarily reviews and amends legislation from the lower chamber, acting as a check to ensure legislative quality and balance. Common mistake: assuming both chambers share identical originating responsibilities.
The federal constitution which concedes to the component units the right to secede is that of
An examinee might choose the United States, mistakenly assuming federal powers allow state secession. The Soviet Union’s constitution theoretically allowed its constituent republics the right to secede, which facilitated the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, unlike the constitutions of the U.S., Australia, or Brazil. Common mistake: assuming all federations permit unilateral withdrawal by component units.
The principle of two levels of government in a country is called
A student might mistakenly select the parliamentary system by confusing executive-legislative arrangements with territorial divisions. Federalism is the principle of governance where power is divided between a central (federal) government and regional (state) governments, as practiced in Nigeria. Common mistake: mixing up horizontal separation of powers with vertical governmental tiers.
In a cabinet system, the executive is appointed from the
An examinee might choose the opposition or weaker parties by misunderstanding coalition mechanics. In a cabinet system, the executive, including the prime minister and cabinet ministers, is drawn from the legislature, typically from the majority party or coalition, ensuring legislative-executive alignment. Common mistake: assuming cabinet members are appointed from outside elected legislative bodies.
An important advantage of creating more constituent units in a federal state is to
A student might incorrectly select enabling ambitious politicians to gain power, viewing expansion through a cynical political lens. Creating more constituent units in a federal state increases local representation and governance, enhancing citizen participation in the democratic process. Common mistake: prioritizing personal political ambition over civic participation and grassroots representation.
Under the presidential system
An examinee might mistakenly select majority-seat executive formation, which applies to parliamentary models. In a presidential system, the president is elected independently of the legislature and may come from any political party, not necessarily the one with the majority in the legislature. Common mistake: applying parliamentary rules of executive formation to presidential setups.
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