Government Lesson Note for First Term SS2
SCHEME OF WORK
Week One: Electoral Process
Week Two: Election
Week Three and Four: Electoral System
Week Five: Public Opinion
Week Six and Seven: Public Administration
Week Eight: Local Government
Week Nine: Pre-colonial Administration in Nigeria I
Week Ten: Pre-colonial Administration in Nigeria II
Week Eleven: Revision
Week Twelve: Examination
Lesson Note on Government SS2 First Term
Below are the 2022 complete Government lesson notes for SS2 First Term
Week One Topic: Electoral Process
Introduction
This is defined as a political right of qualifying adult (male and female) citizen of a given
country to vote and be voted for in a political election. In politics, franchise is the right
conferred on an individual to vote.
Types of Franchise
There are two main types of franchise
1. Limited or restricted franchise
2. Unlimited or universal adult suffrage
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Week Two: Elections
Introduction:
Election is defined as the act of choosing candidates to represent the people of a given
country in the parliament, the executive and possibly into other areas of government as
stipulated in the constitution of that country. For example, in U.S.A, judges of the lower
courts are elected.
Types of election
A. Direct election: It involves the voters casting their votes directly in a political election for
candidates of their choice and that will represent them either in the executive or legislature
without interference. To learn more, click here.
Week Three and Four: Electoral System
Introduction:
An electoral system may be defined as a process or method through which the people of a
given country elect their representatives into different political offices or positions in
government. It also includes the conditions and processes for the nomination of candidates
for elective posts including procedure and rules of election.
TYPES OF ELECTORAL SYSTEM
1. Single-member Constituency and Single vote: This system is referred to as “first past
the post” or simple majority system. A candidate who has the highest number of
votes cast win the election, Britain, USA, Canada e.t.c. are examples of this system
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Week Five: Public Opinion
Introduction:
This is an aggregate of the individual views, attitudes, and beliefs about a particular topic,
expressed by a significant proportion of a community. This is a belief, values and attitudes
which are commonly held and expressed by majority of the people by giving of public issues.
Formation of public opinion
1. Through election
2. Through mass media
3. Through pressure group and political parties
4. Symposium and lecture
5. Individual influence
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SS2 First Term Government Lesson Note
Week Six and Seven: Public Administration
Introduction:
The civil service is a body or department in the executive arm of government. It has the duty
of assisting the political executive in the planning and implementation of government
policies. The Director-General (Permanent Secretary) is the administrative head and the
accounting officer of a ministry.
Features of the civil service
1. Impartiality: Civil servants are expected to be fair and just to any government in
power.
2. Permanence: it is an institution that does not change with the government.
3. Neutrality: Workers in the service are not expected to engage themselves in partisan
politics unless they resign their appointments.
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Week Eight: Local Government
Introduction:
Local government may be defined as a government established through an Act at the local
level to deal with specific matters as it affects them. It can also be defined as the sub-organ of
the central government established to provide for the needs of the people at local level. Under
the 1963 republican constitution, local government authorities were created mainly to deal
with matters of local concern, e.g. markets, feeder, roads, motor parks, etc. The essence of
local government creation is to involve local participation in the affairs of the country.
Powers of the local government
1. Making of bye-laws: The legislative arm of local government is involved in making
of bye-laws.
2. Power to punish offenders: They can punish those who violate the laws made.
3. Imposition of levy: They can impose levy on the people for some specific reasons.
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SS2 First Term Government Lesson Note
Week Nine: Pre-colonial Administration in Nigeria I
Introduction:
Historical background: the Fulani took over the political leadership of the Habe (Hausa)
states in the early 19th century. The Jihad that proceeded this occupation was seen as religious
one as well as political. Othman Dan Fodio led the Fulani Jihad and took over the political
leadership of the Hausa and established the Sokoto caliphate with outstanding centralized
political system of government. He introduced a new system of selecting and appointing
rulers described as Emirs to rule the caliphate. Each of the emirs owed allegiance to Dan
Fodio and his two representatives at Gwandu and Sokoto.
Structure of Hausa/Fulani Traditional Political System
1. The Emirate: the caliphate was divided into emirates and each was headed by an
Emir. He had the responsibility of making laws, enforcing them and maintaining
peace and order in his emirate. He was expected to administer the emirate in
accordance with the provisions of the Islamic and sharia laws.
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Week Ten: Pre-colonial Administration in Nigeria II
Introduction:
The political system of Oyo Empire
The Oyo kingdom was a vast empire divided into different provinces, is the popular and
outstanding of all the empire or kingdom in the Yoruba land. The Oyo empires were able to
influence issues in other areas like; Dehomey (republic of Benin), Ekiti, Ijebu, Ife etc.
Political structure/Organization
Political structure /Organization
1. Political head: The Alaafin was seen as the political head of the empire. He was chosen
by Oyomesi (seven hereditary kingmakers of the empire). It was claimed that he can
only appear three times a year in public and that was only during some historic
festivals. The administration of the empire involved the Alaafin, assisted by the
Aremo, the Basorun (prime minister) and the Oyomesi played a very key role in the
administration.
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Week Eleven: Revision
This week, we would be doing a revision of all that we learned during the term.
Week Twelve: Examination
Afterwards, we would write an examination, which would test our knowledge of what has
been taught so far.