WAEC Government 2004 past questions

Checked by the Skolra question team · Last updated 15 October 2026

Ten questions from the 2004 WAEC Government paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 48 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Government 2004 questions and answers

1. 1.Nobles who form government are called
   1. A
      Democrats
   2. B
      Theocrats
   3. C
      Plutocrats
   4. D
      Aristocrats
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Aristocracy is a form of government in which power is held by a hereditary nobility or a privileged class of nobles. The word derives from the Greek aristokratia, meaning "rule of the best." In an aristocratic system, political authority is reserved for those of high birth or noble rank, as opposed to democracy (rule by the people), theocracy (rule by religious leaders), or plutocracy (rule by the wealthy).

2. 2.The development of nationalist movement was late in French West Africa because of the
   1. A
      French policy of assimilation
      Correct
   2. B
      absence of educated elites in the region
   3. C
      dominance of British colonial powers nearby
   4. D
      strong influence of traditional rulers
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   Answer: A

   France's assimilation policy encouraged educated Africans to aspire to French citizenship and cultural identity rather than independence, which slowed the growth of nationalist consciousness compared with British territories where separateness was maintained.
3. 3.A government is said to be legitimate if it
   1. A
      controls all economic resources of the state
   2. B
      possesses the largest military force in the region
   3. C
      successfully suppresses all political opposition
   4. D
      has the consent and support of the governed
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Legitimacy refers to the rightful authority of a government, which derives from the acceptance and consent of the citizens it governs. Force or economic control alone cannot confer legitimacy without the recognition of the people.
4. 4.Red-tapism refers to
   1. A
      The corrupt enrichment of public officials through bribery
   2. B
      Excessive bureaucratic procedures, rules, and formalities that cause unnecessary delays
      Correct
   3. C
      The practice of awarding government contracts without competitive bidding
   4. D
      The arbitrary dismissal of civil servants by political appointees
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   Answer: B

   Red-tapism is a term used to describe the excessive adherence to bureaucratic rules, official procedures, and paperwork that results in frustrating delays and inefficiency in government administration. The phrase originates from the practice of binding official documents with red tape. While rules and procedures are necessary for accountability, red-tapism occurs when they become ends in themselves, obstructing the delivery of services to the public.

5. 5.Which of the following pressure groups does Cotton Producers' Union represent?
   1. A
      Political action committee
   2. B
      Sectional interest group
      Correct
   3. C
      Promotional pressure group
   4. D
      Public interest group
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   Answer: B

   The Cotton Producers' Union is a classic example of a sectional (or protective) pressure group. Such groups are formed to defend and advance the specific economic interests of their members — in this case, cotton farmers. Membership is restricted to those engaged in that trade or occupation, and the group's purpose is to secure better conditions, prices, or policies for its members rather than to promote a broader public cause.

6. 6.Public Complaints Commission in West African countries can be called
   1. A
      Constitutional Court
   2. B
      Ombudsman
      Correct
   3. C
      Human Rights Commission
   4. D
      Civil Liberties Organisation
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   Answer: B

   The Ombudsman is the equivalent of the Public Complaints Commission. The term originated in Sweden and refers to an independent official or body appointed to investigate citizens' complaints against government agencies and officials. In Nigeria, the Public Complaints Commission performs this function — receiving, investigating, and reporting on complaints by members of the public against maladministration or abuse of office by government institutions.

7. 7.The organs of government which are normally fused in a military regime are the
   1. A
      executive and the judiciary
   2. B
      all three organs equally
   3. C
      legislature and the judiciary
   4. D
      executive and the legislature
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Under military rule, the legislature is dissolved and the Supreme Military Council (or equivalent body) assumes both executive and legislative powers, effectively fusing those two organs. The judiciary is usually allowed to continue to function in civil matters.
8. 8.The foreign policy of a country is influenced by all the following factors except the
   1. A
      geographical location of the country
   2. B
      military capability of the country
   3. C
      economic resources of the country
   4. D
      personal religious beliefs of individual citizens
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Foreign policy is shaped by national interest, geography, economic strength, and military power. The personal religious beliefs of individual citizens are a private matter and do not directly determine a state's foreign policy decisions.
9. 9.In which of the following systems of government is the principle of collective responsibility best upheld?
   1. A
      Military regime
   2. B
      Presidential system
   3. C
      Confederal system
   4. D
      Parliamentary (cabinet) system
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Collective cabinet responsibility is a defining feature of the parliamentary system, requiring all ministers to publicly support cabinet decisions and resign if they cannot. In a presidential system the president is individually responsible to the electorate.
10. 10.Political socialization is associated with
    1. A
       The management of public funds by government agencies
    2. B
       The conduct and supervision of free and fair elections
    3. C
       The process by which individuals acquire political values, attitudes, and behaviours
       Correct
    4. D
       The formation and registration of political parties
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    Answer: C

    Political socialisation is the lifelong process through which individuals learn political values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours from their environment. Agents such as the family, school, peer groups, religious institutions, and the mass media transmit the political culture of a society from one generation to the next. It shapes citizens' sense of identity, their understanding of rights and obligations, and their orientation towards political participation.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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Practise all 48 questions we hold from the 2004 paper, on a timed CBT screen

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