50 Objective Questions, 5 Theory Questions, and Full Answers
Introduction
Government is a core subject for Arts students in the WAEC 2026/2027 WASSCE and is also taken by Social Science students in many states. It covers political theory, comparative government, Nigeria’s constitutional history, international relations, and public administration. Scoring an A in WAEC Government means understanding how power works, how governments are formed and structured, and how Nigeria’s political system has evolved from colonial times to the present.
WAEC Government papers require you to define terms precisely, explain concepts with examples, discuss arguments for and against different systems, and evaluate the performance of Nigerian institutions. The questions move between theory and Nigerian reality constantly, so you must know both.
This guide gives you 50 practice objectives and 5 theory questions with complete model answers. Work through them with your textbook beside you to confirm and expand each point raised.
50 Likely WAEC 2026/2027 WAEC 2026/2027 Government Objective Questions
Each question includes four options. The correct answer is marked with ✅. Study the reasoning behind each correct choice, not just the answer itself.
Q1. Government as a subject of study deals with:
A. How to become a civil servant
B. The study of the state, its institutions, and the exercise of political power ✅
C. The history of wars
D. Economic planning only
Q2. The three organs of government are:
A. President, Governor, and Council
B. Senate, House, and Judiciary
C. Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary ✅
D. Federal, State, and Local Governments
Q3. Separation of powers was advocated by:
A. Karl Marx
B. Montesquieu ✅
C. Thomas Hobbes
D. John Stuart Mill
Q4. Which of the following is a feature of a federal system of government?
A. All powers reside in the central government
B. The central government is supreme in all matters
C. Powers are constitutionally divided between central and regional governments ✅
D. There is only one level of government
Q5. The doctrine of the rule of law means that:
A. The ruler makes all the laws
B. Judges are the most powerful people
C. Everyone is subject to the law, including government officials ✅
D. Only courts can create laws
Q6. INEC was established to:
A. Regulate businesses
B. Prosecute corrupt officials
C. Organise and supervise elections in Nigeria ✅
D. Manage Nigeria’s foreign affairs
Q7. The Nigerian 1999 Constitution is a:
A. Flexible, unwritten constitution
B. Rigid, written constitution ✅
C. Unwritten, flexible constitution
D. Customary law constitution
Q8. Checks and balances in government refer to:
A. The process of financial accounting
B. The system by which each arm of government limits the powers of the others ✅
C. The counting of votes after an election
D. The balance between federal and state budgets
Q9. A bicameral legislature is one that has:
A. One chamber
B. Two chambers ✅
C. Three chambers
D. Four chambers
Q10. The head of government in Nigeria is:
A. The Senate President
B. The Chief Justice
C. The Speaker of the House
D. The President ✅
Q11. A pressure group differs from a political party because a pressure group:
A. Contests elections and seeks to govern
B. Only operates in developing countries
C. Does not seek political office but tries to influence policy ✅
D. Is funded by government
Q12. Which of the following is a characteristic of democracy?
A. Rule by a military council
B. Suppression of opposition
C. Protection of fundamental human rights ✅
D. One-party rule
Q13. Colonialism was primarily a:
A. Voluntary trade arrangement
B. System of political and economic domination of one people by another ✅
C. Religious mission with no political intent
D. Cultural exchange programme
Q14. The Clifford Constitution of 1922 is significant because it:
A. Gave Nigeria independence
B. Introduced the elective principle, allowing Nigerians to vote for some members of the legislative council ✅
C. Created the first Nigerian senate
D. Ended the amalgamation of North and South
Q15. A totalitarian state is characterized by:
A. Free elections and multiple parties
B. Separation of powers and independent judiciary
C. Total state control of all aspects of life with no political freedom ✅
D. Strong local government councils
Q16. Sovereignty means:
A. The power of the legislature to make laws
B. The supreme and final authority of a state to govern itself without external interference ✅
C. The right of citizens to vote
D. The power of the judiciary to review laws
Q17. The primary function of the legislature is to:
A. Implement laws
B. Interpret laws
C. Make laws ✅
D. Enforce laws
Q18. A referendum is:
A. A type of election for choosing candidates
B. A direct vote by the people on a specific issue or policy ✅
C. A parliamentary vote on a bill
D. A court hearing on a constitutional matter
Q19. Which of the following is NOT a function of the executive arm?
A. Implementing government policies
B. Conducting foreign affairs
C. Passing laws ✅
D. Commanding the armed forces
Q20. ECOWAS was founded in:
A. 1960
B. 1963
C. 1975 ✅
D. 1991
Q21. A unitary state is one where:
A. All regions have equal powers
B. Power is shared between central and regional governments
C. All power resides in the central government ✅
D. The military controls power
Q22. The concept of legitimacy in government refers to:
A. The legal registration of a political party
B. The belief that a government’s authority is rightful and accepted by the governed ✅
C. The use of force to maintain power
D. The constitutional powers of the president
Q23. Military coups in Nigeria led to the suspension of:
A. The civil service
B. The judiciary
C. The constitution and democratic institutions ✅
D. Religious activities
Q24. Who authored the book ‘The Prince’, a classic text in political thought?
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. Karl Marx
C. Niccolo Machiavelli ✅
D. John Locke
Q25. Cabinet government is a feature of which system?
A. Presidential system
B. Federal system
C. Parliamentary system ✅
D. Military system
Q26. The Social Contract Theory was associated with:
A. Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill
B. Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau ✅
C. Marx and Engels
D. Aristotle and Plato
Q27. Which of the following was NOT a cause of Nigerian federalism?
A. Cultural and ethnic diversity
B. Large geographical size
C. Demand for regional autonomy
D. The need to have a single-chamber parliament ✅
Q28. A constitution is described as ‘rigid’ when:
A. It is very long
B. It can be amended by simple majority vote
C. It cannot be changed at all
D. It requires a special procedure (such as a supermajority or referendum) to amend ✅
Q29. The National Assembly of Nigeria consists of:
A. The Senate and the State Houses of Assembly
B. The Senate and the House of Representatives ✅
C. The House of Representatives and the Council of State
D. The Federal Executive Council and the Senate
Q30. An ambassador is:
A. A state governor’s foreign representative
B. A senior diplomatic official who represents a country in another country ✅
C. A member of the United Nations Security Council
D. A military officer posted abroad
Q31. Which of the following best describes geopolitics?
A. The study of how geography influences political decisions and international relations ✅
B. The economic planning of regions
C. The history of military campaigns
D. The politics of geographic societies
Q32. The principle of judicial review allows courts to:
A. Make new laws on behalf of the legislature
B. Implement executive orders
C. Declare laws or government actions unconstitutional ✅
D. Arrest and prosecute government officials
Q33. NAFDAC and EFCC are examples of:
A. Political parties
B. Non-governmental organizations
C. Regulatory agencies of the Nigerian government ✅
D. International organizations
Q34. Which of these was a feature of military rule in Nigeria?
A. Free and fair elections
B. Suspension of the legislature and constitution ✅
C. Separation of powers
D. Independent judiciary at all times
Q35. The United Nations was established in:
A. 1919
B. 1939
C. 1945 ✅
D. 1950
Q36. A by-election is held when:
A. The general election results are disputed
B. A new government is being formed
C. A seat in the legislature becomes vacant between general elections ✅
D. A political party withdraws from an election
Q37. Under a presidential system, the president:
A. Is elected by the parliament
B. Can be removed by a simple vote of no confidence
C. Is directly elected by the people and is not a member of the legislature ✅
D. Is appointed by the head of state
Q38. Constituency refers to:
A. The official residence of a governor
B. A geographical area represented by an elected official ✅
C. The headquarters of a political party
D. A department of government
Q39. The principle of separation of church and state means:
A. Religious leaders cannot vote
B. Government and religion are kept separate in state affairs ✅
C. Churches cannot own property
D. Only atheists can hold government office
Q40. Which of the following is a fundamental objective of Nigerian governance as stated in the 1999 Constitution?
A. The pursuit of profit for government corporations
B. The promotion of national security, welfare, and social justice ✅
C. The right of the president to suspend the constitution
D. The permanent allocation of resources to the South
Q41. The term ‘coup d’etat’ refers to:
A. A scheduled military exercise
B. The legal transfer of power from one president to another
C. A sudden, often violent seizure of government power outside constitutional means ✅
D. An election boycott
Q42. What is the function of the Council of State in Nigeria?
A. To approve the national budget
B. To advise the president on matters of national importance ✅
C. To appoint ministers
D. To supervise elections
Q43. The party system where only one party is legally permitted is called:
A. Multi-party system
B. Two-party system
C. One-party system ✅
D. Dominant-party system
Q44. Good governance is characterized by:
A. Secrecy, exclusion, and unchecked power
B. Transparency, accountability, and the rule of law ✅
C. Concentration of power in one individual
D. Suppression of the press
Q45. The concept of ‘locus standi’ in law means:
A. The right of the court to hear a case
B. The right of a party to appear before a court ✅
C. The position of the judge during a trial
D. The location of a court case
Q46. Nigeria gained independence in:
A. 1914
B. 1956
C. 1960 ✅
D. 1963
Q47. Which of these best defines a ‘state’ in political science?
A. A province of a federation
B. A political entity with a defined territory, permanent population, government, and sovereignty ✅
C. Any country with a written constitution
D. A city with its own mayor
Q48. Proportional representation ensures that:
A. All elected officials are from one party
B. The number of legislative seats a party wins reflects its share of the total vote ✅
C. The president is elected by parliament
D. Only large parties can win seats
Q49. Public opinion refers to:
A. The published report of a government commission
B. The views of the Supreme Court on constitutional matters
C. The collective attitudes and beliefs of the citizenry on public issues ✅
D. The policies of the ruling party
Q50. The Electoral Act in Nigeria regulates:
A. The conduct of commercial enterprises
B. The activities of the military
C. The process of conducting elections and the behavior of political actors ✅
D. The duties of state governors
5 Likely WAEC 2026/2027 WAEC 2026/2027 Government Theory Questions with Model Answers
Theory questions require organized, well-explained answers. Use the model answers below as a guide for structure, depth, and language. Practise writing your own answers and comparing them to the models.
Theory Question 1
What is federalism? Discuss FOUR advantages and THREE disadvantages of the federal system as practised in Nigeria.
MODEL ANSWER:
DEFINITION OF FEDERALISM:
Federalism is a system of government in which powers and functions are constitutionally divided and shared between a central (federal) government and component units (states or regions). Each level of government operates within its own defined area of authority, with neither being entirely subordinate to the other. Nigeria operates a federal system established through successive constitutions, most recently the 1999 Constitution.
FOUR ADVANTAGES OF FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA:
1. Accommodation of Diversity: Nigeria is home to over 250 ethnic groups, with different languages, religions, and cultural practices. Federalism allows different states to govern themselves in ways that reflect local values and priorities, reducing the risk of one group dominating all others.
2. Decentralisation of Power: By dividing powers between federal, state, and local governments, federalism prevents the concentration of power in a single central authority. This reduces the risk of tyranny and makes government more accessible to citizens at all levels.
3. Development of Initiative at State Level: States can serve as ‘laboratories’ of governance, trying out policies that, if successful, can be adopted elsewhere. For example, a state might introduce a new education or health programme that becomes a model for others.
4. Promotion of National Unity Through Negotiation: The system of revenue sharing (fiscal federalism) and the distribution of federal appointments across states creates mechanisms for different regions to negotiate their interests, building a sense of shared national investment.
THREE DISADVANTAGES OF FEDERALISM IN NIGERIA:
1. Duplication of Functions and High Cost: Maintaining multiple levels of government (federal, 36 states, and 774 local governments) is extremely expensive. Many government functions are duplicated, wasting resources that could go to services.
2. Ethnic and Regional Competition: Federalism in Nigeria has sometimes sharpened ethnic rivalry rather than reducing it. Competition over revenue allocation, resource control, and federal appointments frequently follows ethnic and regional lines rather than merit.
3. Inequality Between States: Some Nigerian states have significantly more resources (especially oil-producing states) than others. This creates uneven development, with rich states able to provide better services while poor states struggle, despite the federal character principle.
Theory Question 2
Explain the differences between a presidential and a parliamentary system of government. Which system do you consider more suitable for Nigeria, and why?
MODEL ANSWER:
DIFFERENCES: PRESIDENTIAL vs PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM
1. Executive Origin:
Presidential: The executive (President) is separately elected by the people and is not a member of the legislature.
Parliamentary: The executive (Prime Minister and Cabinet) is drawn from and remains part of the legislature.
2. Separation of Powers:
Presidential: There is a strict separation of powers. The President cannot dissolve the legislature, and the legislature cannot normally remove the President except through impeachment.
Parliamentary: There is a fusion of powers. The executive and legislature overlap. The Prime Minister is accountable to parliament and can be removed by a vote of no confidence.
3. Term of Office:
Presidential: The President serves a fixed term and can only be removed through impeachment for specific offences.
Parliamentary: The Prime Minister serves at the pleasure of parliament. A vote of no confidence can end their tenure at any time.
4. Accountability:
Presidential: The President is directly accountable to the electorate, not to the legislature.
Parliamentary: The Prime Minister is directly accountable to parliament through regular question times and debates.
5. Checks and Balances:
Presidential: Checks and balances operate through separate institutions (the President vetos legislation, the Senate confirms appointments, the courts interpret the constitution).
Parliamentary: The majority party in parliament controls both the executive and the legislature, which can weaken checks and balances.
WHICH IS MORE SUITABLE FOR NIGERIA?
Nigeria’s presidential system has challenges (high cost of governance, executive dominance, weak legislative oversight), but returning to a parliamentary system is not straightforward either. Nigeria’s diversity requires a strong national executive who can hold the federation together. A prime minister dependent on parliamentary majorities in a country with strong ethnic politics might be vulnerable to ethnic coalitions collapsing governments.
That said, reducing the cost of Nigeria’s presidential system through constitutional reform (reducing the size of the executive, cutting duplicate agencies) and strengthening the independence of the legislature and judiciary would significantly improve its performance. The presidential system, reformed, remains more suitable for Nigeria’s size and diversity.
Theory Question 3
What were the main causes of military intervention in Nigerian politics? Describe the effects of military rule on Nigeria’s democratic development.
MODEL ANSWER:
CAUSES OF MILITARY INTERVENTION IN NIGERIAN POLITICS:
1. Political Instability and Electoral Crises: The First Republic was plagued by electoral fraud, political violence, and a near-collapse of democratic norms during the 1964 federal elections and 1965 Western Region elections. The chaos gave military officers justification for intervening in January 1966.
2. Corruption and Misgovernance: Early civilian governments were widely accused of corruption, nepotism, and the diversion of public funds. Military officers who portrayed themselves as ‘corrective’ used this perception of civilian failure to justify their seizures of power.
3. Ethnic and Regional Conflicts: The deep divisions between Nigeria’s major ethnic and regional groups led to political deadlock and threatened national unity. Military officers argued that only a centralised military command structure could hold the country together.
4. Weak Political Institutions: Nigeria’s democratic institutions in the First and Second Republics were not strong enough to manage conflicts constitutionally. Political parties were ethnically based, the judiciary was not fully independent, and the legislature was dominated by partisan loyalties rather than national interest.
5. External Influence and Personal Ambition: Some military interventions were motivated less by national crisis and more by the ambitions of senior officers who saw political power as an opportunity for personal enrichment.
EFFECTS OF MILITARY RULE ON NIGERIA’S DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT:
1. Suspension of Constitutional Government: Each military government suspended the constitution, banned political parties, and replaced elected governments with military councils. This interrupted the development of democratic culture and institutions.
2. Centralisation of Power: Military regimes concentrated power at the federal level, weakening states and local governments. This legacy persists in Nigeria’s over-centralised federation.
3. Culture of Authoritarianism: Years of military rule left a political culture in which force and command, rather than negotiation and consensus, became normalized. This made civilians slow to build strong, independent institutions.
4. Economic Mismanagement: Several military governments oversaw massive corruption and economic decline, especially during the oil boom era when petrodollars were mismanaged. The resulting poverty undermined the social conditions necessary for democracy to thrive.
5. Positive Legacies (Limited): Some military governments did carry out reforms (FESTAC ’77, the creation of states to dilute ethnic domination, the 1979 constitution-making process) that had lasting positive effects. However, these were overshadowed by the overall damage done to democratic development.
Theory Question 4
Define political socialization and explain FIVE agents of political socialization.
MODEL ANSWER:
DEFINITION OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION:
Political socialization is the process through which individuals acquire political beliefs, attitudes, values, and orientations toward the political system. It is how a person learns what to think about government, political parties, civic duties, and national identity. This process begins in childhood and continues throughout life.
FIVE AGENTS OF POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION:
1. The Family:
The family is the first and most powerful agent of political socialization. Children absorb political attitudes from their parents before they are even aware of politics. A child raised in a family that actively votes and discusses politics grows up understanding civic participation as normal. Ethnic and religious identities, which deeply shape political behaviour in Nigeria, are also transmitted primarily through the family.
2. Schools:
Schools transmit civic knowledge through subjects like Social Studies, Government, and Civic Education. Pledges, assemblies, and national history lessons teach students about their country’s institutions and ideals. Schools also model democratic values through student government, debate clubs, and elections for student leaders.
3. Peer Groups:
As children grow, peer influence increases. Friends and colleagues shape political opinions through shared discussions, group identities, and social pressures. Young people often adopt the political leanings of their social groups.
4. Mass Media:
Television, radio, newspapers, and social media play an enormous role in shaping political opinion. Coverage of elections, government actions, and political crises informs citizens but can also manipulate opinion. In Nigeria, social media has become a powerful force in political mobilization, especially among young people.
5. Religious Institutions:
In Nigeria, where religion plays a central role in daily life, mosques and churches are important spaces for political socialization. Religious leaders often comment on political events, and congregations frequently discuss government policies. Faith-based values shape how Nigerians think about justice, authority, corruption, and civic duty.
Theory Question 5
What is an election? Discuss FOUR types of elections and state the conditions necessary for free and fair elections in Nigeria.
MODEL ANSWER:
DEFINITION OF ELECTION:
An election is a formal process through which citizens choose their representatives or decide on specific issues by voting. It is the primary mechanism through which democratic governments gain their mandate to govern.
FOUR TYPES OF ELECTIONS:
1. General Elections: These are held nationally at the end of a government’s term to elect representatives for all positions: president, senators, federal representatives, governors, and state legislators. In Nigeria, INEC organises general elections every four years.
2. By-Elections: A by-election is held to fill a single vacant seat in the legislature or executive, which has become empty due to the death, resignation, or disqualification of the previous holder. It occurs between general elections.
3. Primary Elections: These are elections held within political parties to choose which candidate will represent the party in the general election. In Nigeria, parties hold primaries before each general election.
4. Referendums: A referendum is a direct vote by citizens on a specific constitutional or policy question, rather than for a candidate. It is a form of direct democracy.
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA:
1. An Independent Electoral Commission: INEC must be free from executive and political interference. Commissioners must be appointed based on competence and integrity, not political loyalty.
2. A Current and Accurate Voters’ Register: All eligible citizens must be able to register, and the register must be clean, free from underage voters, ghost voters, and multiple registrations.
3. Freedom of Campaigning: All registered candidates and parties must be free to campaign, hold rallies, and address voters without harassment, intimidation, or violence.
4. Security at Polling Units: Law enforcement must protect voters, officials, and materials without taking sides. Political thuggery and voter intimidation are among the most serious threats to free and fair elections in Nigeria.
5. Transparent Counting and Result Declaration: Votes must be counted at the polling unit in view of party agents and observers, and results must be transmitted electronically and made publicly available at each stage to prevent manipulation.
Study Tips: How to Score A in WAEC WAEC 2026/2027 Government 2026/2027
Tip 1: Know the key Nigerian constitutions: 1922 Clifford, 1946 Richards, 1951 Macpherson, 1954 Lyttleton, 1960, 1963, 1979, 1999.
2: Learn dates for key events: Nigerian independence (1960), republic (1963), ECOWAS (1975), AU (2002), UN (1945).
3: For theory questions, define your terms first, then explain, then give examples from Nigerian political history.
4: Know the differences between systems: unitary vs federal, presidential vs parliamentary, democracy vs totalitarianism.
5: Study past WAEC Government questions from 2018 to 2025. Many questions repeat with slight variation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the most important topics in WAEC Government 2026/2027?
A: Organs of government (executive, legislature, judiciary), federalism, military rule in Nigeria, constitutions and constitutional development, electoral processes, political parties, and international organizations (UN, AU, ECOWAS) are the most consistently tested topics.
Q: How should I answer WAEC Government theory questions?
A: Begin with a clear definition of the key term in the question. Then structure your answer as numbered or lettered points. Each point should be explained in at least two sentences. End with a conclusion if the question asks you to evaluate or discuss, not just list.
Q: Is WAEC Government the same as WAEC Civic Education?
A: No. They are different subjects. Government focuses more on political theory, comparative systems, international relations, and Nigerian constitutional history. Civic Education focuses on citizenship values, rights and duties, and social responsibility. Some students take both.
