When a bill passed by legislature is vetoed by the executive, the action underscores the principle of

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which principle is shown when the executive vetoes (rejects) a bill that the legislature has passed.

Step 2: Explain the concepts

• Collective responsibility: Ministers or cabinet members share responsibility for government decisions and support them publicly.
• Probity and accountability: Honesty in public office, and officials answering for their actions.
• Checks and balances: Each arm of government has powers to limit or control the others, so no single arm becomes too powerful.
• Separation of powers: Government power is divided among the legislature, executive, and judiciary, each with its own function.

Step 3: Apply to the question A bill is made by the legislature, which is its lawmaking function. When the executive vetoes it, one arm is using its power to restrain the action of another arm. It is not just performing its own separate duty. This is a control mechanism, not just a division of roles.

Examples in Nigeria:

• The President can withhold assent to a bill (veto).
• The National Assembly can override the veto by a two-thirds majority.
• The judiciary can declare laws unconstitutional.

These mutual controls are what we call checks and balances.

Step 4: Why not separation of powers (D)? Separation of powers is about dividing functions among the arms. The veto is an overlap, where the executive takes part in the legislative process. That makes it a check, not a separation. This is the common trap in this question.

Answer: C. Checks and balances

Exam tip: If a question describes one arm of government restraining, overriding or limiting another (veto, veto override, impeachment, judicial review), think checks and balances. If it just describes the arms having different roles, think separation of powers.