WAEC Government Questions on Legislative Arm of Government

Introduction

The legislative arm is one of the three arms of government, tasked with the crucial role of creating laws. It ensures democratic representation and serves as a check on the other branches, maintaining the balance of power in governance.

Key Concepts

1. Definition and Structure

• The legislative arm is the law-making body elected to represent the people’s interests.
• In Nigeria, the federal legislature—the National Assembly—is bicameral, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives.
• At the state level, legislative bodies are typically unicameral State Houses of Assembly.

2. Core Functions

• Lawmaking: Drafting, debating, passing, amending, and repealing laws.
• Representation: Voices the concerns and interests of constituents in governance.
• Oversight of the Executive: Monitors government actions through inquiries, investigations, and approval of key appointments.
• Budgetary Control: Reviews and approves national and state budgets, regulating public spending.
• Constitutional Amendments: Initiates and approves changes to the constitution when necessary.

3. Features of Bicameral vs. Unicameral Structures

• Bicameral legislature (Federal level): Two chambers—Senate (state representation) and House of Representatives (population-based)—enhances checks and balances. InvestopediaInfoGuide Nigerialen.com.ng
• Unicameral legislature (State level): A single legislative house that offers simpler, faster lawmaking, but with fewer internal checks. Investopedia

4. Legislative Oversight and Accountability

• The legislature holds the executive accountable via investigative powers, public hearings, and budget examinations. The Guardian NigeriaINFOMEDIANG
• It plays a watchdog role to ensure adherence to laws and prudent use of public funds. bauchistate.gov.ngVanguard News

5. Checks and Balances

• The legislative arm can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote, safeguarding against executive dominance. WikipediaVanguard NewsInvestopedia
• The executive cannot pass laws or allocate funds without legislative approval, ensuring accountability.

Study Tips

• Clarity is key—master the difference between bicameral and unicameral systems.
• Use real-life examples (e.g., National Assembly vs. State Houses) to ground your understanding.
• Remember the main legislative roles: lawmaking, representation, oversight, budgeting, and amendments.
• Think through how legislative check-and-balance mechanisms protect democracy.

Conclusion

Understanding the legislative arm’s structure and functions is vital to grasp how government operates and maintains accountability. It is essential for WAEC Government and civic competence.

Use the questions below to review and test your knowledge.

THEORY

1. Discuss the functions of a modern legislature.

2. Give reasons for the adoption of bicameral legislature by some countries.

3. Explain the functions of the legislature in a modern state.

4. Describe any three branches of Government.

5. Give three functions of the legislature.

6. Give three limitations of the legislature.

OBJECTIVES

1. The dissolution of parliament is generally followed by a
A. resolution. B. general election. C. referendum. D. plebiscite.

2. Apart from making laws, the legislature has the important function of
A. implementing executive decisions. B. advising the judiciary. C. appointing the civil servants. D. checking the executive powers.

3. Which of the following is a demerit of bicameral legislature?
A. The scope for political participation is limited. B. Passing of bills into acts is delayed. C. No safeguard for the minority groups. D. There is tendency for despotic rule.

4. Which of the following principal officials of the house is not an elected parliamentarian?
A. Leader. B. Speaker. C. Deputy Speaker. D. Clerk.

5. The dissolution of parliament is usually followed by a
A. general election. B. referendum. C. plebiscite. D. resolution.

6. Which of the following acts as a check on the Executive in the control of the finances of a State? The
A. judiciary. B. Civil service. C. Press. D. Legislature.

7. In a legislature, carpet-crossing means
A. crossing over the carpet. B. decamping to another party. C. legislative dismissal. D. legislative instrument.

8. When there is a second chamber in a federal state, it
A. makes up for the imbalance in the representation in the lower house. B. ensures that the judiciary is independent of the executive. C. reduces the power of the electorate. D. alone makes laws for the country.

9. Question time in the legislature affords members the opportunity to
A. raise important questions outside the agenda. B. challenge court decisions. C. execute government policies. D. ask more questions.

10. The number of chambers in a bicameral legislature is
A. four. B. three. C. two. D. one.

11. In the legislature, a filibuster is one who
A. is in charge of party discipline. B. presents party bills during parliamentary sessions. C. does not take part in law- making. D. prevents the passage of a bill by making long speeches.

12. The laws which the state legislators make normally pass through
A. the commissioner. B. the process of deliberations. C. the judiciary. D. some committees in the civil service.

13. The official who enforces discipline among members of his party in parliament is the
A. majority leader. B. minority leader. C. clerk of the House. D. chief whip.

14. Bicameralism refers to
A. a one chamber legislature. B. the process of voting in the legislature. C. the upper chamber in legislature. D. a two-chamber legislature.

15. The primary function of a legislature is the
A. appointment of the president. B. making of laws. C. voting of bills. D. monitoring of the judiciary.

16. Bicameralism is adopted because it
A. guards against intra-party clashes. B. prevents arbitrary lawmaking. C. projects party manifestoes. D. is the only system available.

17. Parliamentary filibuster refers to a
A. a procedure of impeaching the president. B. delay method of prolonging debates in parliament. C. process of passing bills into laws. D. a special way of initiating money bills.

18. One way by which the legislature checks the executive is by
A. delaying the promotion of some ministers. B. ordering the dismissal of corrupt cabinet ministers. C. withholding the salaries of ministers. D. demanding the review of an executive action.

19. Bicameralism is necessary in a federal state to demonstrate that
A. the executive is adequately represented. B. localized interests receive adequate representation. C. representation in the upper house is based on population. D. representation of the rich in the society is taken care of.

20. In the United States of America, the legislature is called the
A. Congress. B. National Assembly. C. National Security. D. Parliament.

21. Which of the following bodies has the right to change the laws of the country? The
A. Judiciary. B. Ombudsman. C. Legislature. D. Executive.

22. Abuse of power by extra-legislative bodies set up by the legislature is checked through
A. recall. B. general election. C. parliamentary control. D. impeachment.