Examination on History
Class: Primary 6
Term: Second Term
Time: 1 Hour
Total Marks: 70

SECTION A: OBJECTIVES (40 Marks)
Instruction: Answer all questions.

1. ________ is a system of government where the armed forces directly control the political administration of a country. (a) Democracy (b) Military rule (c) Monarchy (d) Republic
2. Which of the following is a common way military leaders come to power in Nigeria? (a) General election (b) Military coup (c) Appointment by the President (d) Traditional succession
3. The first military head of state in Nigeria was ________. (a) General Murtala Muhammed (b) Major General Aguiyi Ironsi (c) General Yakubu Gowon (d) General Olusegun Obasanjo
4. All of these are military heads of state in Nigeria except ________. (a) General Yakubu Gowon (b) General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (c) Chief Ernest Shonekan (d) General Sani Abacha
5. Which of these periods was NOT characterized by military rule in Nigeria? (a) 1966-1979 (b) 1983-1999 (c) 1999-Present (d) 1966-1967
6. General Murtala Muhammed came to power through a ________. (a) Civilian vote (b) Traditional ceremony (c) Military coup (d) Presidential decree
7. The main reason for military intervention in politics is often cited as ________. (a) To establish a monarchy (b) To correct perceived political corruption and instability (c) To promote democracy (d) To hold free and fair elections
8. Which of these is not a direct contribution of military rule in Nigeria? (a) Creation of states (b) Promotion of national unity (c) Establishment of democratic institutions (d) Infrastructural development
9. The correct step in establishing a military government often involves a ________. (a) Public referendum (b) Peaceful protest (c) Takeover of government by force (d) Parliamentary debate
10. General Yakubu Gowon’s regime is known for its efforts to keep Nigeria ________. (a) Divided (b) United (c) Under colonial rule (d) In a state of war
11. The period from 1966 to 1979 was largely dominated by ________. (a) Civilian rule (b) Military rule (c) Colonial administration (d) Traditional leadership
12. Which of the following military leaders handed over power to a civilian government in 1979? (a) General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (b) General Sani Abacha (c) General Olusegun Obasanjo (d) General Yakubu Gowon
13. General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida’s regime was known as the ________ era. (a) Transition (b) Dictatorial (c) Civilian (d) Democratic
14. All of these were characteristics of military rule except ________. (a) Rule by decrees (b) Suspension of the constitution (c) Free and fair elections (d) Centralized command structure
15. Which military head of state initiated the transition programme that led to Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999? (a) General Sani Abacha (b) General Abdulsalami Abubakar (c) General Olusegun Obasanjo (d) General Yakubu Gowon
16. A military coup is a ________. (a) Peaceful transfer of power (b) Sudden, forceful overthrow of government (c) Constitutional amendment (d) Public election
17. The main reason General Sani Abacha’s regime was controversial was due to ________. (a) His successful economic reforms (b) Allegations of human rights abuses and corruption (c) His quick handover to civilian rule (d) His promotion of democratic principles
18. Which of these is not a feature of a democratic government, unlike military rule? (a) Rule of law (b) Free press (c) Suspension of constitution (d) Separation of powers
19. General Abdulsalami Abubakar is remembered for his role in ________. (a) Prolonging military rule (b) Initiating a failed coup (c) Handing over power to a civilian government (d) Declaring himself president for life
20. The ________ of government is often suspended during military rule. (a) Judicial (b) Executive (c) Legislative (d) Constitution

SECTION B: THEORY (30 Marks)
Instruction: Answer any THREE questions.

1. (a) Define military rule in your own words. (2 marks)
(b) Explain how military leaders typically come to power in Nigeria. (3 marks)
(c) Mention two reasons why military rule is generally considered undemocratic. (3 marks)
(d) Name one military head of state who ruled Nigeria. (2 marks)

2. (a) Name two distinct periods when Nigeria was under military rule. (2 marks)
(b) Identify two military heads of state and state one achievement for each. (3 marks)
(c) Describe one significant contribution of General Yakubu Gowon’s regime to Nigeria. (3 marks)
(d) Who was the first military head of state in Nigeria? (2 marks)

3. (a) State two general contributions of military governments to Nigeria’s development. (2 marks)
(b) Explain the role of military coups in the political history of Nigeria. (3 marks)
(c) Name the military head of state who facilitated Nigeria’s return to civilian rule in 1979 and 1999 respectively. (3 marks)
(d) What is the main difference between military rule and civilian rule? (2 marks)

4. (a) Mention two key reforms or initiatives introduced by military governments in Nigeria. (2 marks)
(b) Describe two characteristics of military rule that differentiate it from democratic governance. (3 marks)
(c) Explain the significance of General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration for Nigeria’s democracy. (3 marks)
(d) What was the main reason General Sani Abacha’s regime was controversial? (2 marks)

Objective Marking Scheme
Question 1 – ✅ (b) Military rule
Question 2 – ✅ (b) Military coup
Question 3 – ✅ (b) Major General Aguiyi Ironsi
Question 4 – ✅ (c) Chief Ernest Shonekan
Question 5 – ✅ (c) 1999-Present
Question 6 – ✅ (c) Military coup
Question 7 – ✅ (b) To correct perceived political corruption and instability
Question 8 – ✅ (c) Establishment of democratic institutions
Question 9 – ✅ (c) Takeover of government by force
Question 10 – ✅ (b) United
Question 11 – ✅ (b) Military rule
Question 12 – ✅ (c) General Olusegun Obasanjo
Question 13 – ✅ (a) Transition
Question 14 – ✅ (c) Free and fair elections
Question 15 – ✅ (b) General Abdulsalami Abubakar
Question 16 – ✅ (b) Sudden, forceful overthrow of government
Question 17 – ✅ (b) Allegations of human rights abuses and corruption
Question 18 – ✅ (c) Suspension of constitution
Question 19 – ✅ (c) Handing over power to a civilian government
Question 20 – ✅ (d) Constitution