1
Q
How is a Constitution defined?
A
An established body of laws and principles according to which a country is governed.
2
Q
What can a constitution be described as in terms of political arrangements?
A
The total or aggregate of political and institutional arrangements forming the basis of the exercise of political powers.
3
Q
What does a constitution contain regarding relations and procedures?
A
Statements defining relations between rulers and duties of citizens
4
Q
What specific issues does a constitution deal with?
A
How laws are passed
5
Q
Do only countries have constitutions?
A
No. Every human organization has its own constitution.
6
Q
What is expected of individuals joining organizations?
A
They must abide by the basic rules.
7
Q
What results from violation of constitutions?
A
Specific sanctions.
8
Q
List the six sources of a constitution.
A
Written document; Organic laws; Judicial decisions; Constitutional customs and conventions; Philosophers; Preamble.
9
Q
What is a Written document source?
A
A formally designated constitutional document
10
Q
What are Organic laws?
A
Ordinary laws made by Parliament that form part of the constitution.
11
Q
What is included in Constitutional Amendment Procedure?
A
Magna Carta (1215)
12
Q
What are Judicial decisions?
A
Court interpretations of constitutional provisions that become part of constitutional law.
13
Q
What are Constitutional customs and conventions?
A
Unwritten but strictly obeyed governmental practices.
14
Q
Give an example of a country that uses constitutional customs.
A
United Kingdom.
15
Q
What are Philosophers as a source of constitution?
A
Ideas and writings promoting limited government
16
Q
What is a Preamble?
A
An introductory statement stating the authority and purpose of the constitution.
17
Q
List four functions of a constitution.
A
Prevents arbitrary rule; Protects citizens and legitimizes government; Establishes boundaries and goals; Provides stability.
18
Q
What are the three groups used to classify constitutions?
A
Codification; Amendment; Distribution of power.
19
Q
What is a Written Constitution?
A
A single document containing laws guiding a state.
20
Q
What does a Written Constitution outline?
A
Arms of government
21
Q
List merits of a Written Constitution.
A
Reduces uncertainty; States rights clearly; Careful amendment; Prevents dictatorship; Easy to study.
22
Q
List demerits of a Written Constitution.
A
Hard to amend; Limited scope; Heavy reliance on interpretation.
23
Q
What is an Unwritten Constitution?
A
A constitution not contained in a single document.
24
Q
Give examples of countries with Unwritten Constitutions.
A
UK; Italy; Israel; Ghana.
25
Who commonly uses unwritten constitutions?
Military rule.
26
What is a Rigid Constitution?
A constitution requiring complex amendment procedures.
27
How is amendment approved in a rigid system?
Initiated by parliament and approved by referendum.
28
What is the nature of a Rigid Constitution?
Slow and difficult to amend.
29
State a merit of a Rigid Constitution.
Prevents dictatorship and ensures careful amendment.
30
State a demerit of a Rigid Constitution.
Not suitable for emergencies.
31
What is a judiciary risk in rigid constitutions?
Judiciary may become politicized.
32
What is a Flexible Constitution?
A constitution with simple amendment procedures.
33
What does amendment require in a Flexible Constitution?
Simple majority.
34
List merits of a Flexible Constitution.
Welcomes new ideas; Reflects people's wishes; Reduces instability.
35
List demerits of a Flexible Constitution.
May suppress minorities; Can be abused; May cause instability.
36
What is the purpose of amendment procedures?
To ensure proper and democratic changes to laws.
37
How do Rigid and Flexible constitutions differ?
Rigid uses complex procedures; Flexible uses simple procedures.
38
What varies between nations regarding amendments?
Required number of parliamentary votes.
39
What is the Legislature?
The law-making body of government (parliament).
40
Who comprises the Legislature?
Elected representatives of the people.
41
What are the duties of the Legislature?
Debates executive policies and initiates bills.
42
When do bills become laws?
When approved and signed.
43
What are the two types of Legislature?
Unicameral and Bicameral.
44
Define Unicameral Legislature.
One legislative house making laws.
45
Give examples of Unicameral countries.
Kenya; Gambia; Sierra Leone; Ghana.
46
Define Bicameral Legislature.
Two legislative houses (Upper and Lower).
47
What is the purpose of Bicameralism?
To prevent hasty passage of bills.
48
Name the two houses in Britain.
House of Lords; House of Commons.
49
Name the two houses in the USA.
Senate; House of Representatives.
50
What is the Legislature called in Nigeria?
National Assembly.
51
What are the heads of legislative houses called?
Speaker (Lower); President (Upper).
52
What is a party whip?
An official maintaining party discipline.
53
Who is the Clerk of the House?
The secretary and civil servant of the legislature.
54
What are published legislative proceedings called?
Hansards.
55
List functions of the Legislature.
Lawmaking; Supervises executive; Approves budget; Amends constitution; Removes executive members; Performs electoral functions; Controls expenditure and taxation; Settles grievances; Educates public; Trains leaders; Represents constituents.
56
Define power.
The ability to make others do certain things even if they are unwilling.
57
What does power involve between rulers and the ruled?
A kind of domination exercised by rulers over the ruled.
58
What is power a product of?
Human relationship.
59
What does power indicate?
Leadership and followership.
60
At what levels does power exist?
National and international levels.
61
What means can be used to command obedience?
Threat or use of punishment including sanctions causing physical or non-physical loss.
62
What is the basis of power acquired through threat of punishment?
Belief that disobedience will result in punishment.
63
From what does political power originate?
Established authority with the right to command and be obeyed.
64
Why do people seek political power?
To control allocation of scarce resources.
65
What is the use of force as a source of power?
Physical coercion to control state agencies like police and armed forces.
66
How is wealth a source of power?
Control of material resources used to acquire political power.
67
How does formal office serve as a source of power?
Occupying official positions allows decision-making affecting others.
68
What is authority?
A form of power regarded as rightful and legitimate.
69
State two advantages of separation of powers.
Safeguards human rights; Prevents dictatorship.
70
Where is power located in a unitary system?
Centralized in a single governing body.
71
How is authority distinguished from power in a unitary system?
Authority is legitimate power; power is ability to enforce will with or without consent.
72
Can powers be delegated in a unitary system?
Yes
73
What is the relationship between local and central authorities in a unitary system?
Local authorities are subordinate to the central government.
74
Name two countries practicing a unitary system.
Gambia; Sierra Leone.
75
List merits of a unitary system.
Reduces expenses; Ensures even development; Promotes unity; Easier coordination; Less bureaucracy.
76
List demerits of a unitary system.
May cause totalitarianism; Inadequate consultation; Opposition may be disallowed.
77
Define a federal system.
A system where power is constitutionally shared among central
78
How does federal system differ from military system?
Federal units derive powers from constitution; military powers are delegated.
79
Give an example of a federal republic.
Nigeria.
80
List reasons for a federal system.
Heterogeneous population; Large population; Diverse languages; Large territory; Protect minorities; Economic advantages; Fear of domination.
81
List merits of a federal system.
Promotes national unity; Prevents tyranny.
82
What is responsibility of the Executive?
Policy making and implementation of laws.
83
Who are members of the Executive?
President; Prime Minister; Ministers; Commissioners; Head of State.
84
Name two types of Executive.
Parliamentary and Presidential.
85
Describe Parliamentary executive.
Prime Minister is head of government; President is ceremonial head; No strict separation of powers.
86
Describe Presidential executive.
President is head of state and government; Strict separation of powers; Not member of parliament.
87
Name examples of Presidential systems.
Nigeria; Cote d'Ivoire; Tanzania; Liberia; Brazil; Chile; Mexico.
88
List functions of the Executive.
Maintain law and order; Implement laws; Form policies; Prepare budget; Conduct foreign relations; Pardon offenders; Appoint officials; Dissolve parliament.
89
How can the Executive be controlled?
Opposition criticism; Impeachment; Free press; Judicial review; Legislative oversight.
90
What is the Judiciary responsible for?
Interpretation of laws and punishment of offenders.
91
How is the Judiciary independent?
Operates without interference from other arms.
92
How are judges appointed?
By the executive on advice of judicial service commission.
93
On what grounds can judges be removed?
Proven misconduct after due process.
94
List functions of the Judiciary.
Interpret laws; Punish offenders; Protect rights; Guard constitution; Determine election petitions; Settle disputes.
95
What does judicial independence mean?
Freedom from interference and impartial decision-making.
96
List importance of judicial independence.
Ensures justice; Prevents abuse of power; Protects civil liberties.
97
List factors ensuring judicial independence.
Separation of powers; Secured tenure; Financial independence; Proper appointment process.
98
What is a bill?
A proposed law presented in parliament.
99
How does a bill become law?
By assent/signature of the head of state or president.
100
Name types of bills.
Appropriation Bill; Public Bill; Money Bill; Private Member's Bill.
101
What is an Appropriation Bill?
Deals with government revenue and expenditure.
102
What is a Public Bill?
Deals with matters affecting the public.
103
What is a Money Bill?
Deals with raising and spending government funds.
104
What is a Private Member's Bill?
Introduced by a member of legislature.
105
List stages of passing a bill.
First Reading; Second Reading; Committee Stage; Report Stage; Third Reading.
106
When did Nigeria's first military junta begin?
After the 1966 coup d'état.
107
Who was first military Head of Federal Military Government?
Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi.
108
Who succeeded Aguiyi-Ironsi?
General Yakubu Gowon.
109
Who succeeded Gowon?
Murtala Mohammed.
110
Who established the Second Republic?
Olusegun Obasanjo.
111
Who led the Second Junta (1983–1985)?
Muhammadu Buhari.
112
Who was longest-serving peacetime military ruler?
General Ibrahim Babangida.
113
Who overthrew Interim National Government in 1993?
General Sani Abacha.
114
Who ended military rule in 1999?
General Abdulsalami Abubakar.
115
List characteristics of military regime.
Rule by force; No fixed term; Suspension of constitution; Rule by decrees; Autocracy; Curtailment of rights; No separation of powers.
116
List the demerits mentioned in the notes.
It is expensive to run; There is always opposition-based agitation; Mutual suspicion of favoritism and nepotism.
117
In a parliamentary system to whom is the council of ministers responsible?
They are responsible to the parliament and are part of it.
118
During what period did Nigeria practice the parliamentary system?
1st October 1960 – 15th January 1966.
119
Who are the two main leaders recognized in a parliamentary system?
The Head of Government and the Head of State.
120
In the parliamentary system who is the Head of Government and Head of State?
The Prime Minister is Head of Government; the Head of State performs a ceremonial role.
121
Is separation of power fully practiced in a parliamentary system?
No
122
How can the Prime Minister be removed?
Through a vote of no confidence.
123
What is expected of a dissatisfied cabinet member in a parliamentary system?
They are expected to resign.
124
Why is the presidential system called a non-parliamentary system?
Because the executive is not a member of parliament.
125
Describe separation of powers in a presidential system.
There is full separation of powers with checks and balances among the three organs.
126
What roles does the President perform in a presidential system?
Head of State and Head of Government.
127
How can the President be removed?
Through impeachment for constitutional breaches.
128
What is the first task in the assessment section?
Critique the administrative system of Nigeria and assess its compliance as a modern government.
129
What is the second task in the assessment section?
Identify anomalies in Nigeria's separation of powers and suggest solutions.
130
List the demerits mentioned in the notes.
It is expensive to run; There is always opposition-based agitation; Mutual suspicion of favoritism and nepotism.
131
In a parliamentary system to whom is the council of ministers responsible?
They are responsible to the parliament and are part of it.
132
During what period did Nigeria practice the parliamentary system?
1st October 1960 – 15th January 1966.
133
Who are the two main leaders recognized in a parliamentary system?
The Head of Government and the Head of State.
134
In the parliamentary system who is the Head of Government and Head of State?
The Prime Minister is Head of Government; the Head of State performs a ceremonial role.
135
Is separation of power fully practiced in a parliamentary system?
No
136
How can the Prime Minister be removed?
Through a vote of no confidence.
137
What is expected of a dissatisfied cabinet member in a parliamentary system?
They are expected to resign.
138
Why is the presidential system called a non-parliamentary system?
Because the executive is not a member of parliament.
139
Describe separation of powers in a presidential system.
There is full separation of powers with checks and balances among the three organs.
140
What roles does the President perform in a presidential system?
Head of State and Head of Government.
141
How can the President be removed?
Through impeachment for constitutional breaches.
142
What is the first task in the assessment section?
Critique the administrative system of Nigeria and assess its compliance as a modern government.
143
What is the second task in the assessment section?
Identify anomalies in Nigeria's separation of powers and suggest solutions.
