WAEC Government 2020 past questions

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

Ten questions from the 2020 WAEC Government paper, with answers and explanations. We hold 50 questions from this paper, and the Skolra app has all of them.

WAEC Government 2020 questions and answers

1. 1.

   A major difference between power and authority is that, authority is ________

   1. A
      Absolute and unrestrained
   2. B
      Exercised exclusively by military rulers
   3. C
      Legitimised and accepted as rightful
      Correct
   4. D
      Obtained and maintained by force
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   The key distinction between power and authority is legitimacy. Power is simply the ability to compel obedience, by force if necessary, without necessarily being recognised as rightful. Authority, by contrast, is power that is legitimised — accepted by those subject to it as proper and justified, whether on legal, traditional, or charismatic grounds (Max Weber's three types).

2. 2.

   Public opinion is important in that, it ________

   1. A
      Encourages the military to intervene in governance
   2. B
      Creates division and chaos in society
   3. C
      Guides and directs government policies and actions
      Correct
   4. D
      Prevents elections from holding at the scheduled time
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Public opinion is vital in a democratic system because it guides and directs government policies and actions. When governments are aware of citizens' views on key issues, they are better positioned to make decisions that reflect the popular will. Public opinion also holds government accountable, shapes electoral outcomes, and signals to policymakers which issues require urgent attention.

3. 3.

   Which of the following is a function of an electoral commission?

   1. A
      Appointing cabinet ministers
   2. B
      Declaring war on other nations
   3. C
      Conducting and supervising elections
      Correct
   4. D
      Making and amending the constitution
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   An electoral commission (such as Nigeria's INEC) is a constitutionally established body whose primary function is conducting, supervising, and monitoring elections. Its duties include voter registration, delimitation of constituencies, accreditation of political parties, management of the voting process, and declaration of results. It is independent of the executive to ensure impartiality.

4. 4.

   The West African Students Union (WASU) was formed by _______

   1. A
      Nnamdi Azikiwe
   2. B
      Herbert Macaulay
   3. C
      J. E. Casely Hayford
   4. D
      Ladipo Solanke
      Correct
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: D

   The West African Students Union (WASU) was founded in London in 1925 by Ladipo Solanke, a Nigerian lawyer and activist. WASU served as a platform for West African students studying in Britain to articulate their political aspirations, advocate for self-governance, and promote Pan-African consciousness.

5. 5.

   The right to respect the personality of the individual is a _________

   1. A
      Social right
   2. B
      Civil right
      Correct
   3. C
      Economic right
   4. D
      Political right
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   The right to respect for one's personality — encompassing dignity, identity, and personal integrity — is classified as a civil right. Civil rights protect individuals from arbitrary treatment by the state and other persons in areas such as personal liberty, privacy, and dignity. Political rights relate to participation in governance, while economic and social rights concern material welfare.

6. 6.

   The ability to make and enforce laws and administer justice constitute the major functions of a _________

   1. A
      Political party
   2. B
      Pressure group
   3. C
      State
      Correct
   4. D
      Non-governmental organisation
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: C

   Making laws (through the legislature), enforcing them (through the executive), and administering justice (through the judiciary) are the three cardinal functions of a state. These functions correspond to the three arms of government. Political parties, pressure groups, and NGOs influence governance but do not possess the sovereign authority to perform these functions.

7. 7.

   One of the limitations to the principles of rule of law is _________

   1. A
      State immunity and diplomatic privileges
      Correct
   2. B
      Equality of all persons before the law
   3. C
      Independence of the judiciary
   4. D
      Supremacy of the constitution
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   State immunity and diplomatic privileges limit the rule of law because certain individuals — such as heads of state, diplomats, and foreign missions — enjoy immunity from prosecution or civil suit even when they violate the law. This creates exceptions to the principle that everyone is equally subject to the law, which A.V. Dicey identified as a cornerstone of the Rule of Law.

8. 8.

   Local government sources of revenue can best be improved through?

   1. A
      Increasing statutory allocations from the federal government
   2. B
      Efficient and transparent tax collection and administration
      Correct
   3. C
      Abolishing internally generated revenue mechanisms
   4. D
      Reducing the number of local government employees
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: B

   Efficient and transparent tax collection and administration is the most sustainable way to improve local government revenue. By blocking leakages, properly assessing and collecting rates and levies, and using technology to broaden the tax base, local governments can substantially increase internally generated revenue without becoming wholly dependent on federal allocations.

9. 9.

   Which of the following made the colonial Government a " Virtual Dictator"?

   1. A
      The absence of a democratically elected legislature
      Correct
   2. B
      The power to appoint all judges
   3. C
      The prohibition of political parties
   4. D
      Control over all armed forces in the colony
   Show answerHide answer

   Answer: A

   In the Crown Colony system, the colonial Governor held sweeping executive and legislative powers. The absence of a democratically elected legislature meant there was no representative body to check or balance the Governor's authority. Laws were made by a nominated legislative council controlled by the Governor, allowing him to function as a virtual dictator — governing largely by decree without the consent of the governed.

10. 10.

    If a winner emerges in an election as a result of his/her votes being more than the combined votes of the opposing contestants; what types of electoral system is being practised?

    1. A
       Second ballot system
    2. B
       Proportional representation
    3. C
       Simple majority system
    4. D
       Absolute majority system
       Correct
    Show answerHide answer

    Answer: D

    When a candidate's votes exceed the combined total votes of all other candidates, the candidate has obtained more than half of all votes cast. This is the absolute majority system. It requires a candidate to win over 50% of valid votes — meaning they secure more votes than everyone else put together. This differs from the simple majority (first-past-the-post) system, where a candidate only needs more votes than any single rival.

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

Spotted a wrong answer? Tell us from the app or on the contact page and we check it.

Practise all 50 questions we hold from the 2020 paper, on a timed CBT screen

Every question has the answer and an explanation, in the Skolra app.

Download for WindowsDownload for Mac

About the app · Skolra for Windows · Skolra for Mac