For the executive to enjoy the goodwill of the people in a democratic state, it must adhere to the tenets of

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks what the executive must follow in order to keep the goodwill (support and approval) of the people in a democratic state.

Step 2: Explain the concept In a democracy, power comes from the people. The executive keeps public support by respecting democratic principles such as:

• the rule of law
• political equality (every citizen is treated equally and has equal political rights)
• accountability and transparency
• respect for fundamental human rights

Step 3: Evaluate the options

• A. The Council of State is an advisory body in Nigeria. It is not a tenet or principle of democracy.
• B. Exercise of unrestrained power describes dictatorship or autocracy. It destroys public goodwill.
• C. Laissez-faire government is an economic idea of minimal government interference in the economy. It has nothing to do with democratic tenets.
• D. Political equality is a core democratic principle. When the executive treats all citizens equally, with equal voting rights, equal access to public office, and equal treatment before the law, it earns the people's trust and goodwill.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. political equality.

Exam tip: In Government questions about democracy, look for words like equality, rule of law, accountability, participation, and consent. Options that suggest unlimited power (like B) are usually wrong, and options that name institutions or economic theories (A and C) are often distractors.