Structures of Governance

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1. Which of the following best describes the primary characteristic of a unitary system of government regarding the distribution of legislative power?

   1. A Legislative power is constitutionally divided between the central government and state governments.
   2. B Legislative power is concentrated in the central government, and regional authorities derive their powers from it.
   3. C Legislative power is held exclusively by the constituent states, with the central body having no legislative authority.
   4. D Legislative power is shared equally between the central government and local councils without a constitutional hierarchy.

2. A country adopts a unitary system of governance primarily to ensure uniformity in national policies and strengthen central control over diverse ethnic groups. Which of the following is a potential disadvantage of this structure compared to a federal system?

   1. A It prevents the central government from enforcing national laws uniformly across the territory.
   2. B It may lead to the perception of marginalisation of regional interests due to excessive centralisation of power.
   3. C It makes it difficult for the central government to collect taxes from citizens.
   4. D It requires the consent of all regional leaders before any new national law can be passed.

3. When comparing the unitary and federal structures of governance, which statement accurately reflects the constitutional status of the constituent units in a unitary system?

   1. A The constituent units possess inherent sovereignty and cannot be abolished by the central government.
   2. B The constituent units are independent sovereign states that voluntarily delegate all powers to the central government.
   3. C The constituent units have no inherent sovereignty and their powers can be altered or revoked by the central government.
   4. D The constituent units have equal legislative power with the central government and can veto national laws.

4. Which of the following best distinguishes a federal system of government from a unitary system?

   1. A The central government has no authority over the regional units
   2. B Constitutional division of power between central and regional governments
   3. C Regional governments are elected by the central parliament
   4. D The national currency is determined by regional assemblies

5. A confederation is often described as a union of sovereign states. Which of the following is a characteristic feature of a confederal structure?

   1. A The central government can override state laws in all matters
   2. B The central government has limited powers and cannot legislate directly on citizens
   3. C Citizens have dual citizenship with both state and national identities
   4. D The central parliament is the sole source of legislative power

6. Which of the following is a primary reason why Nigeria adopted a federal system of government in 1960?

   1. A To ensure that the military controls all political decisions
   2. B To allow the central government to impose a single language on all citizens
   3. C To accommodate ethnic and regional diversity while maintaining national unity
   4. D To prevent the creation of any regional governments

8. Which of the following best distinguishes a confederal system from a federal system regarding the source of sovereignty?

   1. A In a confederation, the constituent units retain sovereignty, while in a federation, sovereignty is shared.
   2. B In a confederation, the central government has absolute power, while in a federation, it has limited power.
   3. C In a confederation, there is no written constitution, while in a federation, a constitution is mandatory.
   4. D In a confederation, the central government can tax citizens directly, while in a federation, it cannot.

9. A student argues that a confederal structure is more suitable for a newly independent nation with strong regional identities than a unitary system. Which of the following is the strongest counter-argument against adopting a confederation in this context?

   1. A A confederation requires a single, uniform legal code across all regions.
   2. B A confederation prevents the formation of a national currency.
   3. C A confederation mandates the appointment of a military dictator as head of state.
   4. D A confederation lacks a strong central authority to enforce national unity and policy.

10. Which of the following historical examples is most commonly cited in political science as a classic instance of a confederal system?

    1. A The United States under the Articles of Confederation (1781–1789).
    2. B The United Kingdom under the Acts of Union 1707.
    3. C Nigeria under the 1999 Constitution.
    4. D France under the Fifth Republic.

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