In a presidential system of government, legislative approval is not necessary for the ________

Analyzing the question: In a presidential system (like Nigeria's or the USA's), the executive has checks and balances from the legislature. We need the function the president can perform without legislative approval.

Concept: Under separation of powers and checks and balances:

• Appointment of Supreme Court judges: The president nominates, but the Senate must confirm (in Nigeria, the Senate confirms the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court on recommendation of the National Judicial Council). Legislative approval is needed.
• Ratification of treaties: The option says "rectification", which is a misspelling of "ratification". Treaties need legislative approval (the Senate in the USA). Approval is needed.
• Granting of pardons: This is a prerogative of the executive. The president exercises the prerogative of mercy (in Nigeria, after consulting the Council of State) without needing the legislature's approval. Approval is not needed.
• Appointment of civil servants: Civil servants are mostly appointed by the Civil Service Commission, not by the legislature. Top positions, such as ministers and ambassadors, need Senate confirmation, but ordinary civil servants do not. However, the question is about a presidential power, and this option is vaguer and less classic.

Solution: The clearest executive power exercised independently of the legislature is the granting of pardons. It is a well-known prerogative of the president, while judges' appointments and treaty ratification both require legislative consent.

Answer: C. granting of pardons

Tip: Remember "Pardon = Personal power". Appointments of judges, ministers, and ambassadors, and treaty ratification, all need the Senate. Pardon (prerogative of mercy) is the president's alone.