Practice waec model questions vol1 government 2020 Past Questions

Question 1 View Details

A local government council consists of 12 elected members. To adopt a resolution, a simple majority of members present and voting is required. What is the minimum number of votes needed to pass the resolution?

A. 6

B. 9

Correct C. 7

D. 8

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 2 View Details

Three pressure groups - A, B and C - each have a total budget for influencing public policy. Group A has a budget of ₦200,000 and spends 40 % on lobbying and 60 % on public campaigns. Group B has a budget of ₦150,000 and spends 70 % on lobbying and 30 % on campaigns. Group C has a budget of ₦180,000 and splits its spending equally between lobbying and campaigns. Each ₦10,000 spent on lobbying persuades one parliamentarian, while each ₦5,000 spent on public campaigns shifts public opinion by 0.5 %. The overall influence score of a group is calculated as: \[\text{Score}=\text{Number of parliamentarians persuaded}+10\times\text{percentage shift in public opinion}\] Which group attains the highest influence score?

A. Group C

B. Group B

C. Group D

Correct D. Group A

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 3 View Details

A local government has three departments - Health, Education and Infrastructure - that submit performance indices (PI) and budget requests for the upcoming fiscal year. The council allocates a total of ₦500 million using the formula: \[\text{Allocation}=\frac{\text{PI}\times\text{Requested amount}}{\sum (\text{PI}\times\text{Requested amount})}\times 500\text{ million}\] No department may receive less than 20 % of its original request. If a department receives less than this minimum, the shortfall is covered by proportionally reducing the allocations of the other departments that are above their minimums, while keeping the total at ₦500 million. Data: - Health: PI = 0.2, request = ₦400 million - Education: PI = 0.9, request = ₦150 million - Infrastructure: PI = 1.2, request = ₦250 million Determine the final allocation (in millions of naira, to two decimal places) for each department after the adjustment rule is applied.

A. Health: 80.00 million, Education: 135.00 million, Infrastructure: 285.00 million

Correct B. Health: 80.00 million, Education: 130.38 million, Infrastructure: 289.62 million

C. Health: 78.00 million, Education: 132.00 million, Infrastructure: 290.00 million

D. Health: 85.00 million, Education: 125.00 million, Infrastructure: 290.00 million

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 4 View Details

In a parliamentary election, Party A wins 120 seats, Party B wins 85 seats and Party C wins 45 seats in a 300‑seat house. A majority requires at least 151 seats. Parties may form a coalition, but a party will join a coalition only if it receives at least 30 % of the total ministerial posts allocated to the coalition. Assuming the coalition will have 20 ministerial posts, can Parties A and C form a stable coalition, and what is the minimum number of posts each must receive?

Correct A. Yes; each party must receive at least 6 ministerial posts

B. Yes; each party must receive at least 7 ministerial posts

C. Yes; each party must receive at least 5 ministerial posts

D. No; each party must receive at least 6 ministerial posts

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 5 View Details

The Senate has 109 members. To amend the constitution, a two‑thirds majority of the entire Senate is required. In a particular session, 95 senators are present. How many affirmative votes are needed for the amendment to pass, and does the amendment pass if 90 senators vote in favour?

Correct A. 73 votes are required; with 90 votes in favour the amendment passes

B. 74 votes are required; with 90 votes in favour the amendment passes

C. 73 votes are required; with 90 votes in favour the amendment fails

D. 72 votes are required; with 90 votes in favour the amendment passes

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 6 View Details

The Nigerian Constitution places education on the concurrent list of powers. The federal government passes the National Education Act, while a state government also passes its own Education Act covering the same subjects. If a conflict arises between the two laws, which law prevails and which levels of government have the authority to legislate on education?

A. Both the federal and state governments may legislate on education; however, if the two laws conflict, the state law prevails.

B. Only the state government may legislate on education; the federal law is subordinate.

Correct C. Both the federal and state governments may legislate on education; however, if the two laws conflict, the federal law prevails.

D. Only the federal government may legislate on education; state laws are invalid.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 7 View Details

A parliament enacts a law that criminalises actions which were legal at the time they were committed, applying the penalty retroactively. Does this law conform to the principle of the rule of law as embodied in the Nigerian legal system? Justify your answer.

A. No; the law is invalid because it breaches the separation of powers doctrine.

B. Yes; the law conforms because Parliament can enact retroactive criminal legislation.

Correct C. No; the law violates the rule of law because criminal statutes must not be applied retroactively.

D. Yes; the law is permissible as long as it is published in the Official Gazette before enforcement.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 8 View Details

In a representative democracy, citizens can influence government policy through various mechanisms besides voting. Identify two such mechanisms and briefly explain how each contributes to democratic accountability.

Correct A. Petitioning elected representatives - it enables citizens to request specific legislative action; and peaceful protest/freedom of association - it lets the public voice concerns and pressure officials, thereby enhancing accountability.

B. Running for public office - it places citizens directly in decision‑making roles; and joining political parties - it organizes collective action to shape policy.

C. Voting in primary elections - it lets citizens choose party nominees; and contacting media outlets - it amplifies public concerns, thereby influencing officials.

D. Submitting public opinion polls - it provides data to legislators; and writing letters to newspapers - it informs public discourse, thereby affecting accountability.

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 9 View Details

To amend the Nigerian Constitution, a proposal must be passed by a two‑thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives and then be ratified by at least two‑thirds of the State Legislatures. In a recent amendment attempt, the Senate voted 60 % in favour, the House voted 68 % in favour, and 55 % of the State Legislatures ratified it. Did the amendment succeed? State the reason.

A. Yes; the amendment succeeded because both chambers exceeded the two‑thirds threshold, and state ratification is merely advisory.

B. No; the amendment failed because the House did not reach a two‑thirds majority, even though the Senate and states did.

C. Yes; the amendment succeeded since the combined national approval was above two‑thirds, and the state ratification percentage is not required for validity.

Correct D. No; the amendment failed because the Senate did not reach the required two‑thirds majority (and the states also fell short of the two‑thirds threshold).

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 10 View Details

A bill on public health is passed by the House of Representatives but is rejected by the Senate. Under the Nigerian legislative process, can the House override the Senate's rejection and enact the bill into law? Explain the constitutional provision that governs this situation.

A. No; the bill can be sent to a joint committee for reconciliation, and if both chambers agree thereafter, it becomes law.

B. Yes; the President can sign the bill into law after the House passes it again, even without Senate approval.

Correct C. No; the Constitution requires that both the House and the Senate pass a bill, and there is no override mechanism, so the bill cannot become law after Senate rejection.

D. Yes; the Constitution allows the House to override a Senate rejection by a two‑thirds majority vote, so the bill can become law.

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 11 View Details

In a country with 12 single‑member constituencies, Party A won 7 seats, Party B won 3 seats and Party C won 2 seats under the first‑past‑the‑post system. The total votes cast were 100,000, with Party A receiving 40% of the votes, Party B 35% and Party C 25%. If the country switches to a D'Hondt proportional representation system for the same 12 seats, how many seats will each party obtain?

A. Party A - 6 seats; Party B - 3 seats; Party C - 3 seats

B. Party A - 4 seats; Party B - 5 seats; Party C - 3 seats

C. Party A - 5 seats; Party B - 3 seats; Party C - 4 seats

Correct D. Party A - 5 seats; Party B - 4 seats; Party C - 3 seats

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 12 View Details

A federal upper house has 30 seats to be distributed among three states: X, Y and Z. Each state must have at least 5 seats, and the remaining seats are allocated proportionally to the states' populations. The populations are: State X - 4 million, State Y - 6 million, State Z - 10 million. How many seats does each state receive?

A. State X - 9 seats; State Y - 8 seats; State Z - 13 seats

B. State X - 7 seats; State Y - 10 seats; State Z - 13 seats

C. State X - 8 seats; State Y - 10 seats; State Z - 12 seats

Correct D. State X - 8 seats; State Y - 9 seats; State Z - 13 seats

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 13 View Details

In a recent election there were 1,200,000 registered voters. Of these, 720,000 cast valid votes, 30,000 cast spoiled ballots and the remaining did not vote. What was the voter turnout expressed as a percentage of registered voters, to one decimal place?

A. 70.0 %

Correct B. 62.5 %

C. 64.2 %

D. 58.3 %

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 14 View Details

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) assigns each member a quota that determines its voting power. A member's total votes equal 5 basic votes plus 0.5 times its quota (measured in Special Drawing Rights, SDR). Country A has a quota of 12,000 SDR, Country B 8,000 SDR and Country C 4,000 SDR.\n(a) Compute the total voting power of each country and express each as a percentage of the total votes, rounded to two decimal places.\n(b) State whether any two of the three countries together can achieve a simple majority (more than 50 % of the total votes).

A. A: 5,500 votes (45.70 %); B: 4,500 votes (37.40 %); C: 2,500 votes (16.90 %). Any two countries together hold less than 50 % of the total votes.

B. A: 6,000 votes (49.96 %); B: 4,000 votes (33.30 %); C: 2,000 votes (16.74 %). Any two countries together hold more than 50 % of the total votes.

C. A: 6,005 votes (48.00 %); B: 4,005 votes (32.00 %); C: 2,005 votes (20.00 %). No pair of countries can achieve a simple majority.

Correct D. A: 6,005 votes (49.98 %); B: 4,005 votes (33.33 %); C: 2,005 votes (16.69 %). Any two countries together hold more than 50 % of the total votes.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 15 View Details

In a parliamentary election 1,200,000 votes were cast for five parties. The vote totals were: Party P1 - 340,000 votes, Party P2 - 330,000 votes, Party P3 - 180,000 votes, Party P4 - 140,000 votes, Party P5 - 210,000 votes. The parliament has 100 seats which are allocated using the largest‑remainder (Hare) method.\n(a) Determine how many seats each party receives.\n(b) Can a coalition of Party P1 and Party P5 command a majority of the seats?

A. P1 - 28 seats; P2 - 28 seats; P3 - 15 seats; P4 - 12 seats; P5 - 17 seats. The P1 + P5 coalition has 45 seats and has a majority.

B. P1 - 27 seats; P2 - 29 seats; P3 - 16 seats; P4 - 12 seats; P5 - 16 seats. The P1 + P5 coalition has 43 seats and does not have a majority.

C. P1 - 30 seats; P2 - 27 seats; P3 - 14 seats; P4 - 13 seats; P5 - 16 seats. The P1 + P5 coalition has 46 seats and does not have a majority.

Correct D. P1 - 28 seats; P2 - 28 seats; P3 - 15 seats; P4 - 12 seats; P5 - 17 seats. The P1 + P5 coalition has 45 seats and does not have a majority.

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 16 View Details

Consider the following statements about the legal system of a country: 1. No person may be arrested without a warrant, except in cases of imminent danger to life or property. 2. The same law is applied equally to all citizens regardless of status. 3. Judges are appointed for life but may be removed by the executive without cause. Which of these statements, if any, are inconsistent with the principle of the rule of law? State the number(s) of the inconsistent statement(s).

A. 1,2

B. 2

Correct C. 3

D. 1

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 17 View Details

State X allocates a total of ₦120 million to three local government areas (LGAs) A, B and C. The allocation is based on the product of each LGA's population share and its performance index. The population shares are A = 40 %, B = 35 %, C = 25 %. The performance indices (on a scale of 1-5) are A = 4, B = 3, C = 5. What amount (in millions of naira) is allocated to LGA B? Give your answer to two decimal places.

A. 31.25

Correct B. 32.31

C. 33.33

D. 30.00

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 18 View Details

In a mixed‑member proportional electoral system a state has 100 seats: 60 constituency seats elected by first‑past‑the‑post and 40 list seats used to achieve overall proportionality. The three parties obtain the following vote shares and constituency seats: - Party A: 48 % of the vote, 38 constituency seats - Party B: 32 % of the vote, 18 constituency seats - Party C: 20 % of the vote, 4 constituency seats Assuming no over‑hang seats and that list seats are allocated so that each party's total seats equal its proportional share of the 100 seats, how many list seats does Party B receive? Give your answer as a whole number.

Correct A. 14

B. 15

C. 13

D. 12

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 19 View Details

A public agency runs three programmes (P1, P2, P3). The current budgets and numbers of beneficiaries are: - P1: ₦50 million budget, 200 000 beneficiaries - P2: ₦60 million budget, 180 000 beneficiaries - P3: ₦40 million budget, 120 000 beneficiaries Beneficiaries are assumed to increase linearly with budget (i.e., efficiency = beneficiaries per million naira remains constant). The agency must keep the total budget at ₦150 million and each programme must receive at least ₦30 million. Determine the new budget allocation (in millions of naira) to P1, P2 and P3 that maximises the overall efficiency (total beneficiaries per total budget).

A. 60, 60, 30

B. 80, 40, 30

Correct C. 90, 30, 30

D. 70, 50, 30

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 20 View Details

Three countries A, B and C are parties to a regional security treaty that requires each party to contribute 2 % of its GDP to a joint defence fund each year. If a party's contribution falls below 1.5 % of its GDP for two consecutive years, it loses its voting rights in the treaty council. Country A's GDP was ₦2 000 billion at the start of Year 1 and grew by 5 % annually. Its actual contributions were: - Year 1: ₦30 billion - Year 2: ₦31.5 billion - Year 3: ₦32 billion At the end of Year 3, does Country A retain its voting rights? Answer "Yes" or "No".

A. Yes

B. Yes, it keeps its voting rights

C. Yes, it retains voting rights

Correct D. No

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 21 View Details

Nigeria signs a bilateral trade agreement with Country X that reduces the tariff on Nigerian cocoa exports from 15 % to 5 % and, at the same time, limits Nigeria's crude‑oil export to 10 000 barrels per month for a period of two years. Prior to the agreement, Nigeria's annual cocoa export value is ₦200 million and the tariff revenue is collected at the original 15 % rate. The country previously exported 100 000 barrels of crude oil each month, and the world price of crude oil is ₦70 per barrel. Assuming the volume of cocoa exported remains unchanged and that the oil export limitation is fully enforced, calculate the net change in Nigeria's total revenue (cocoa tariff revenue plus oil export revenue) over the two‑year period as a loss or gain in millions of naira.

A. -131.2

Correct B. ‑171.2

C. -151.2

D. -191.2

Correct Answer: B

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 22 View Details

In a local government council of 30 elected members, a bill passed by a simple majority can be vetoed by the executive. To override a veto, the council must achieve a two‑thirds majority of all members. How many members must vote in favour of the bill to successfully override the executive's veto?

A. 19

B. 21

Correct C. 20

D. 18

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 23 View Details

The following chronology records the constitutional history of Nigeria: - 1960: Independence Act (Constitution A) comes into force. - 1963: Republican Constitution (Constitution B) replaces Constitution A. - 1 Oct 1979: Constitution C (Second Republic) is promulgated. - 31 Dec 1983: Military coup; Constitution C is suspended. - 5 May 1993: Constitution D (Third Republic) is promulgated. - 17 Nov 1993: Military coup; Constitution D is suspended. - 29 May 1999: Constitution E (Fourth Republic) is promulgated. According to this timeline, which constitution, if any, was legally in force on 1 January 1995?

A. Constitution E (Fourth Republic)

B. Constitution C (Second Republic)

C. Constitution D (Third Republic)

Correct D. None (the country was under military rule, no constitution in force)

Correct Answer: D

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 24 View Details

The Supreme Court of Nigeria currently handles 120 cases per year with its existing judges. There is a backlog of 360 cases awaiting judgment. Each judge can adjudicate 30 cases per year. The government wishes to eliminate the backlog within three years while still maintaining the present annual caseload of 120 new cases. How many additional judges must be appointed to achieve this target?

A. 6

B. 3

Correct C. 4

D. 5

Correct Answer: C

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

Question 25 View Details

An amendment to the Nigerian Constitution requires a two‑thirds majority in both the Senate (109 members) and the House of Representatives (360 members) to be adopted. In a recent vote, the Senate recorded 70 votes in favour, 30 against, and 9 members absent. The House recorded 240 votes in favour, 100 against, and 20 absent. Does the amendment pass? Provide a brief justification.

Correct A. No, it fails because the Senate did not reach the required two‑thirds majority (needs at least 73 votes).

B. No, it fails because the House did not reach the required two‑thirds majority (needs at least 240 votes).

C. Yes, it passes because the Senate reached the required two‑thirds majority (needs at least 73 votes).

D. Yes, it passes because both chambers met the two‑thirds requirement (Senate 70 votes, House 240 votes).

Correct Answer: A

Want to see the full step-by-step solution? Unlock AI Explanation & Analytics

waec model questions vol1 2020 government | Objective

Master the Exam!

Help others prepare! Share this practice hub: