This 2020 WAEC Government assessment evaluates your comprehension of governance models, electoral processes, and historical colonial administrations in West Africa. Prominent themes recurring throughout the question set involve the rule of law and fundamental human rights, political parties and public opinion mechanisms, electoral commissions and voting systems, and the colonial policies of French and British administration alongside early African international organizations. Treat this page as an active learning tool by carefully reviewing the rationale behind every correct and incorrect choice to build lasting conceptual clarity.
Topics in this paper
In modern democracy, a government is
Options like B, C, or D might be selected if a student mistakes democratic governance for partisan or tribal domination. Modern democracy is fundamentally characterized by the structural contrast and accountability between the governing rulers and the ruled citizens, rather than serving as a preserve for one group. Common mistake: Confusing democratic principles with factional or ethnic control.
The ability to make and enforce laws and administer justice constitute the major functions of a
Options A, B, or D are distractors because they represent social or interest groups rather than the formal institution of the state. Making laws, enforcing them, and administering justice are the defining core functions of a government. Common mistake: Confusing the broader concept of society with the specific ruling institution of government.
Executive power in a cabinet system of government is vested in the
Options A, B, or C might be mistakenly chosen by confusing the parliamentary executive with the legislature or civil service. In a cabinet system, executive authority is held collectively by the council of ministers. Common mistake: Confusing legislative lawmaking with the executive powers of the cabinet.
A feature of a confederal state is that
Options A or B might be chosen if a student confuses a confederation with a unitary or federal system. A defining hallmark of a confederal state is that component units retain their independent sovereignty and possess the right to secede at will. Common mistake: Confusing the centralized sovereignty of federations with the loose alliance of confederations.
One of the limitations to the principles of rule of law is
Options B, C, or D are key tenets of the rule of law rather than exceptions or limitations to it. Immunity protects certain individuals, such as diplomats or heads of state, placing them temporarily above the law and thus acting as a limitation to equality before the law. Common mistake: Confusing pillars of the rule of law with its practical exemptions.
Countries adopt unitary system of government because it
Options A, C, or D are incorrect because unitary systems can still feature authoritarianism or lack secession rights. Countries adopt a unitary system primarily because centralizing power fosters strong national integration and unity across regions. Common mistake: Assuming unitary systems are chosen solely to eliminate democracy.
Which of the following is an advantage of monocephalous executive?
Options A, C, or D represent outcomes of different structural setups rather than the direct operational advantage of a single-headed executive. A monocephalous executive places all authority in one office, enabling extremely quick decision-making without the delays of collective deliberation. Common mistake: Confusing executive structure advantages with judicial or legislative functions.
A major difference between power and authority is that, authority is
Options A, B, or D describe raw power rather than legitimate rule. Authority differs because it is acquired popularly through consent and social acceptance, whereas power can rely entirely on force. Common mistake: Equating brute force with legitimate authority.
Political participation can take the form of
Options A, B, or D are either cultural activities or indirect associations rather than direct electoral engagement. Canvassing for votes constitutes active and direct political participation because it directly influences election outcomes. Common mistake: Confusing membership in a general group with active political campaigning.
Which of the following is a disadvantage of proportional representation?
Options A, B, or C describe features of different electoral designs rather than the flaws of proportional representation. Proportional representation is difficult and cumbersome to operate because it requires complex seat allocations matching vote shares. Common mistake: Confusing the complexity of seat distribution with voting corruption.
The sum total of authority in a state unrestrained by law is
Options A, B, or C represent specific governing structures or social bodies rather than supreme unconstrained power. Sovereignty is the sum total of authority in a state that remains unrestrained by internal or external law. Common mistake: Confusing a form of government like monarchy with the ultimate concept of sovereignty.
The flexibility and rigidity of constitution refer to the
Options A, B, or D refer to the origins or drafting of a constitution rather than its amendment process. The classification of a constitution as flexible or rigid depends directly on the relative ease of amending its provisions. Common mistake: Confusing the creation of a constitution with its amendment procedures.
The observance of Rule of Law in a state requires
Options B, C, or D describe features that hinder or do not guarantee legal equality. Observing the rule of law requires an independent judiciary to impartially enforce laws and protect against arbitrary power. Common mistake: Believing a flexible constitution is required for the rule of law.
The principle of separating the judiciary from the other organs of government and making it free from executive and legislative influence is termed
Options A, B, or D name either an organ itself or a review mechanism rather than the overarching doctrine. The principle of keeping the judiciary completely free from executive and legislative interference is known as separation of powers. Common mistake: Confusing judicial review with the broader doctrine of power separation.
The right to respect the personality of the individual is a
Options A, C, or D are granted by specific state laws or societal frameworks rather than being inherent. The right to respect for individual personality is a natural right because it is an inalienable entitlement that predates government. Common mistake: Confusing state-granted civil rights with inherent natural rights.
Which of the following constitutional provisions gives a high degree of autonomy to component parts of a unitary state?
Options B, C, or D do not describe the specific structural mechanism used to grant regional autonomy in unitary states. Devolution is the constitutional provision that transfers powers from the center to regional governments in a unitary state, granting high autonomy without forming a federation. Common mistake: Confusing devolution with general administrative delegation.
The following are redresses available at the courts for aggrieved people except
1) Distractor check: Students might mistakenly select injunction, mandamus, or certiorari because they are familiar judicial remedies handled by the courts. 2) Reasoning to the answer: Options such as injunction (which restrains action), mandamus (which compels a duty), and certiorari (which reviews judicial decisions) are all formal court redresses. In contrast, prorogation refers to the suspension of parliamentary sessions, making it a legislative process rather than a legal remedy. Common mistake: Confusing parliamentary procedures with judicial remedies.
Which of the following usually leads to the curtailment of the rights of citizens?
1) Distractor check: A student might choose a transitional period, thinking all times of political change automatically restrict civil liberties. 2) Reasoning to the answer: During severe socio-political unrest, governments frequently resort to emergency measures in order to restore order and stability, which directly curtails freedoms like assembly and movement. Conversely, peaceful times do not necessitate such limitations on citizens. Common mistake: Assuming all political transitions involve the suspension of fundamental rights.
The national secretariat of a political party is managed by the
1) Distractor check: One might incorrectly pick the presidential candidate or the national executive and youth organizer, assuming prominent campaign figures handle day-to-day administrative functions. 2) Reasoning to the answer: According to party constitutions, the administration, policy execution, and overall coordination of a party are managed directly by the national chairman and general secretary at the national secretariat. Common mistake: Mistaking campaign figureheads for administrative secretariat managers.
The type of election which allows party members to elect candidates for elective offices is
1) Distractor check: A test-taker could mistakenly select general election or bye election, confusing the broader electoral contests with internal party selection processes. 2) Reasoning to the answer: Primary elections function specifically as internal party mechanisms that enable party members to choose their official nominees prior to participating in broader general elections, thereby guaranteeing democratic candidate selection. Common mistake: Failing to distinguish between internal party selections and public-wide elections.
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