An Evaluation of Elections in Nigeria

Elections in Nigeria during the post-colonial period and subsequent independence were a contentious issue. This is because these events have been consistently linked to hostility, homicide, hostility, homicide, physical injury, and other similar occurrences. Following the end of military rule in May 1999, the countrywide electoral processes have been accompanied by several concerns and occurrences that have generated significant levels of apprehension, anxiety, and unease (Osumah & Aghemelo, 2010). Political violence refers to all forms of violence associated with the political process. The origin of the phenomenon may be domestic or international, and it manifests itself in various ways. This study seeks to investigate elections and electoral violence in Nigeria, including its causes, effects, and potential solutions.

After the elimination of military intervention in political administration, a number of general elections have been conducted. The electoral process in Nigeria has led to a notable schism among the citizenry, engendering emotional anguish and disillusionment with respect to the realisation of democratic tenets. The dissemination of the advantages of democracy to constituents by elected officials has been ineffective, as noted by Jega and Hillier (2012). The Nigerian populace commonly encounters sentiments of exasperation, letdown, and disenchantment due to the evasive character of democratic advantages, which can be ascribed to the predominance of corruption and non-transparent governance. The electoral process is a crucial cornerstone of democratic governance. The election is a structured process through which individuals exercise their right to choose their representatives and articulate their preferences for policies and programmes, thereby delegating the authority to govern. Elections are a pivotal factor in the resolution of conflicting interests within the political system.

The 2003 general election held a multifaceted significance. The election generated substantial worldwide attention, exceeding all prior political elections in the history of Nigeria (Ojukwu, Mazi Mbah, & Maduekwe, 2019). Furthermore, it functioned as a test case for the nascent democracy of the nation. It was anticipated that the conduct of a free and equitable electoral process would serve as a means of resolving Nigeria’s political trajectory, albeit in the immediate future. The previous national elections in Nigeria have been the subject of extensive criticism and evaluation by a variety of experts and observers. The ongoing elections have been characterised by significant levels of contention and controversy, leading some to speculate that they may be the most disputed election in the political annals of the nation. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which was assigned the responsibility of supervising the elections, demonstrated a deficient level of competence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been criticised for its inadequate level of preparedness and lack of professionalism in conducting elections following the end of military rule. As per the analysis of some academics, the reasons behind this occurrence encompass greed, marginalisation, abuse of governmental power, electoral misconduct and manoeuvring, and exclusionary practises (Igbuzor, 2009).

The role of ethnicity as a determinant has been a noteworthy driver of the socio-political turbulence witnessed in the country. The current sectarian turmoil within the country and the conflicting claims for the presidency from various ethnic groups indicate that the society is still divided along tribal and religious lines. The economic outcomes of different ethnic groups in Nigeria seem to be impacted by a range of factors such as their unique religious beliefs, cultural practises, linguistic diversity, interests, and levels of aspiration. Furthermore, these aforementioned factors present a formidable obstacle to the formation of a unified communal identity, thereby exacerbating the impediments to realising authentic democratic principles within the said community. It is noteworthy that certain political figures can exploit ethnicity as a tool to exacerbate societal divisions. This may manifest as expressions of animosity or dissemination of false information targeting a particular ethnic community. Security concerns have the potential to impact the voting decisions of the electorate. This is due to their reluctance to expose themselves to the potential threat of an attack because of an election that may ultimately be subject to manipulation. According to Gueye and Hounkpe (2010), the aspect of security holds significant importance in the context of elections. The role of social media in modern politics is noteworthy, as it exerts a substantial influence on electoral outcomes. The dissemination of false information pertaining to a particular religion, ethnic community, political figure, or political faction through social media platforms can result in catastrophic consequences. The reason for this is that the potential for unrest among loyalists could escalate into physical altercations, posing a threat to both the public and the integrity of the electoral process. The unsophisticated nature of Nigerian electoral politics has led to considerable levels of frustration, disappointment, and devastation among the populace. The circumstances have led to a prevailing sense of apathy, indifference, cynicism, or scepticism among the general population. The research conducted by Ojukwu et al. (2016) suggests that political apathy is not an innate characteristic, but rather a consequence of multiple factors that may serve as motivators. Per the prevailing notion, individuals who have undergone an adverse consequence previously may exhibit increased prudence and reluctance in analogous circumstances in the future. The political and electoral processes in Nigeria have been subject to various challenges and obstacles, as noted by Ojukwu, Mazi Mbah, and Maduekwe (2019) in their research. Nigerian citizens and voters have been impacted by these setbacks. The act of fulfilling one’s civic duty through participation in the electoral process has become increasingly hazardous due to the potential for physical harm. This harm may include assault, injury, or even death, and may be inflicted upon voters by armed individuals acting on behalf of certain political figures, or by extremist militants and terrorists. The existence of godfatherism in Nigeria’s political sphere poses a considerable hindrance to the attainment of democratic consolidation within the nation. The game in question is a strategic one that involves the use of various tactics by both influential political figures and skilled players to manipulate the political landscape and ensure the establishment of their preferred political representatives in positions of power.

It is noteworthy that the ramifications of electoral violence encompass both immediate and enduring consequences. According to Obakhedo (2011), electoral violence results in fatalities and damage to property. In certain scenarios, the reconstruction of these facilities would entail a cost amounting to millions of naira. Moreover, it results in a state of disinterest or indifference towards political affairs. Consequently, due to a lack of confidence in the government, the electorate’s involvement in matters of governance is expected to diminish. This situation is highly concerning as it serves to perpetuate poor governance and instances of corruption. The level of political disinterest among citizens is a fundamental determinant of voter participation in electoral processes. Electoral violence has the potential to negatively impact Nigeria’s reputation in the global arena. The assertion that Nigeria is the leading nation in Africa is questionable due to its failure to conduct transparent and equitable electoral processes. The significance of democratic governance lies in the fundamental role played by free and fair elections.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The research revealed that the electoral procedure has been fundamentally undermined and marked by deceitful practises. The aftermath of the elections has given rise to a plethora of electoral and societal challenges afflicting the country. The issue of legitimacy crisis among governments established at various levels across the nation due to electoral processes has emerged as a significant concern. Furthermore, it is advisable that incumbent political representatives who have been found guilty of engaging in electoral manipulation should be deemed as offenders and be precluded from taking part in any future repeat elections. It is crucial for governmental bodies at all tiers to tackle issues related to pervasive poverty and unemployment. The enduring existence of poverty and restricted availability of essential resources among individuals exposes them to diverse forms of political manipulation, such as being utilised to incite violence during and after electoral procedures. This presents considerable challenges to achieving legitimate, fair, and unbiased elections within the country. It is imperative that electoral institutions are fortified and operate with complete autonomy. The purpose of this measure is to mitigate the potential problems of corruption and political party influence within electoral agencies. This measure is expected to contribute to the rectification of the prevailing perception held by most Nigerians with respect to said agencies. Furthermore, it is imperative to promote transparency and accountability in the administration of elections.

REFERENCES

Osumah, O., & Aghemelo, A. (2010). Elections in Nigeria since the end of military       rule. Africana, 4(2), 9-39.

Obakhedo, N. O. (2011). Curbing electoral violence in Nigeria: The imperative of political            education. African Research Review, 5(5), 99-110.

Jega, A. M., & Hillier, M. (2012). Improving elections in Nigeria: Lessons from 2011 and looking          to 2015. Lecture delivered at Chatham House, London, 5.

Ogbeidi, M. (2010). A culture of failed elections: Revisiting democratic elections in Nigeria,    1959-2003. Historia Actual Online, 21, 43-56.

Gueye AB, Hounkpe M (2010). The role of security forces in the electoral process: the case of six        West African Countries. Abuja: Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung.

Ojukwu, U., Mazi Mbah, C., & Maduekwe, V. (2019). Elections and democratic      consolidation: A study of 2019 general elections in Nigeria. Direct Research Journal of   Social Science             and             Educational Studies, 6(4), 53-64.

Igbuzor, O. (2009) Electoral Violence in Nigeria. Retrieved June 16^th, 2023, from      http://www.centrelsd.org/papers.

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