In which system of government is the executive and legislature fused?

1. Analyze the question The question asks which system of government has the executive and the legislature fused, meaning the two arms are combined or overlap, rather than kept separate.

2. Explain the concept

• Fusion of powers means the executive (Prime Minister and Ministers) is drawn from the legislature, and its members sit in the legislature. This is the feature of the parliamentary (cabinet) system, as in the United Kingdom.
• Separation of powers means the executive, legislature and judiciary are kept apart in personnel and function. This is the feature of the presidential system, as in Nigeria and the USA.
• Unitary and federal describe how power is shared between central and regional governments (territorial distribution). They say nothing about the relationship between the executive and the legislature.

3. Step-by-step solution

• Option B (Presidential): the President is elected separately and cannot sit in the National Assembly. This is separation, so it is wrong.
• Option C (Unitary): this is about the concentration of power in the central government, so it is not relevant.
• Option D (Federal): this is about power sharing between levels of government, so it is not relevant.
• Option A (Cabinet): ministers are members of parliament, and the Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the legislature. The two arms are fused, so this is correct.

4. Answer The correct option is A. Cabinet.

5. Exam tip Remember: Cabinet = Combined (fused), Presidential = Properly separated. Whenever you see "fusion of powers", think parliamentary/cabinet system. When you see "separation of powers", think presidential system.