Election Issues in Nigeria: A way out
By
Samuel Bassey Ibok
It is pertinent to mention that Nigeria which is largely revered to be the giant of Africa is plagued with several issues including election challenges. This issue undermines its image in the global community, leads to political apathy, and has raised issue regarding democracy in the country. Correspondingly, all Nigerians and the rest of the world care a lot about the need for political stability and a strong democratic culture in Nigeria. In their attempts to get into power, some Nigerian politicians have often done things that break security. So, a look at the history of elections in Nigeria would show that the country has had a number of security problems that have made it hard to have fair elections. These are things like killing a politician, being a political thug, stealing ballots, threatening people, setting fires, etc (Ali, Dalaram, and Dauda, 2018). This goal of this study is to look at the challenges facing elections in Nigeria with a view of proffering relevant solutions. This paper relied on secondary sources of data as its method. This research work is qualitative and employs the use of comprehensive explanations. Also, the content analysis method was applied to scrutinize the extant literature on the subject.
Conceptual Discourse
Without an understanding of some key ideas, it may be hard to get a good grasp on this essay. These are: democracy and elections, and electoral process.
Democracy
This word has been explained in different ways. But for this discussion, the definitions of Sat and Yamah will be enough. (Sat & Yamah, 2005) They noted that democracy is a “representative government with a competitive voting system.”
Election
In a democratic society where the constitution permits a constitutional change of administration, election is the process of choosing leaders (Johari, 2011). Similarly, the term “election” refers to the method by which citizens select their official representatives at all levels of government.
Electoral Process
Often confused with the word “election,” “electoral process” refers to all of the activities and steps that electorates go through to choose their representatives (Akamere, 2001). In other words, the electoral process is all of the things that happen before and after an election. Without these things, an election would either not be possible or would be pointless. These encompass the registration of political groups, the return of elected members, the delineation of electoral districts, the examination of the voter list, the resolution of election controversies, and the inauguration of elected representatives, among others. Additionally, the phrase refers to the regulations that regulate how elections are conducted. It goes without saying that voting is simply one component of the election process, albeit the most crucial one. In the light of this discussion, it is essential to note that any action that affects the election process also threatens the people’s sovereignty. Here lies the need for Nigeria’s election police to be more efficient and freer of corruption. From what’s been said, it’s clear that elections are a democratic way for people or groups to show their support for the person or group they think can best look out for their interests. So, it’s clear that elections are the heart of democracy. This is because it is the main way that people use their sovereign right to rule themselves by choosing who they want to rule them for a set amount of time.
Elections have been held in Nigeria since 1922, and they have been held every four years since then. In 1960, a bloody military coup ended the democratic government for a short time. Nigeria switched from a parliamentary system of government to a presidential system in 1979. The Third Republic, which failed in 1991, didn’t have a smooth changeover until 1999, when the Fourth Republic took over. This is still the longest democratic transition in the country’s history (Sule et al., 2018).
According to Odo (2015), elections in Nigeria may generally be divided into three categories: those organized by civilian administration, those organized by the colonial authority, and those organized by military regimes. In comparison to the elections planned and performed by the colonial authority and the military administration, the elections organized by the civilian governments were neither peaceful nor free and fair, with the exception of the 2015 election, which was organized by the civilian administration. On how the INEC has been handling the general elections in Nigeria, there have been complaints from both inside and outside the nation. The conduct of a free, fair, and credible election in any country is subject to criticism by individuals, groups, and the international community. Nigeria faces various difficulties prior to, during, and beyond the election. A free, fair, and credible election is crucial to the success of any democratic system, and in most democracies this responsibility falls on a recognized institution operating under the guidance of the law (Ali, Dalaram, and Dauda, (2018).
One definition of an election is the act of selecting candidates for political office. Voters will have the opportunity to pick and choose from a variety of candidate platforms. Elections are believed to crucially contribute to the development of all societies. This is because elections aid in increasing government openness and transparency. When it comes to elections and the process of voting, Nigerians face a lot of problems and challenges. What’s wrong with Nigeria’s election process is that the ruling party wants to stay in power for as long as possible, even if it’s not in the best interest of the people. To do this, they plan ways to alter the results of the election by any means necessary. This is why most politicians, especially in developing countries, see politics as a “do-or-die” situation. According to Samuel, Felix, and Godwyns (2013), elections and political violence in Nigeria started with the 1959 elections. These elections were designed by the colonial administration to facilitate the transition from British rule to independence easier. This was the first sign of trouble in Nigeria’s elections.
Voting pattern
History is a big reason why people vote the way they do in Nigerian politics and elections. In 1914, the British colonists decided to combine the Northern Protectorate and the Southern Protectorate under the leadership of Governor Lord Lugard. They called the new country the British Colony of Nigeria. This was based on their own colonial interests and had nothing to do with the people who lived there. Nigeria is made up of many different ethnic groups, religions, and regions that are close together. After the country got its independence, these regions didn’t merge into one country because the people thought their ethnic identities were more important than the country as a whole (Falola & Heaton, 2008).
During Presidential Elections in this country, the voting patterns of the electorates are also based on how many people vote. Political apathy is common in Nigeria’s General Elections because of the way politicians act. During their campaigns, they promised voters the world, but once they got into office, they broke their promises and turned into emperors who take money from the public treasury to enrich themselves at the expense of development projects (Sule et al., 2017). It should also be noted that there has been a tendency for the Nigerian populace to vote based on religion, region, and ethnicity. This is harmful in the sense that the best candidate will not emerge as winner. Similarly, regions with higher population have a greater chance of producing candidates irrespective of the candidate’s portfolio or capability. This poses a threat to divide the populace as people from some regions would feel cheated and their frustration could ensue in violence which would further plunge the country into instability.
Bribery and corruption
Bribery is another thing that supports the new democracy, and it has made its way into the voting system. A significant number of individuals are involved in corruption, either explicitly or implicitly, by taking or giving illegal gratification to politicians in exchange for their political rights and votes. However, all of this is happening because the economy is bad and not helping the people. Many people are dying of hunger in their communities because of this. Violence and rigging were also a problem in the last election. Some people even illegally thumb-printed on ballots the night before the election. INEC officials are usually involved in this kind of election rigging by giving the candidates voting materials in a hidden place. Still, some resident electoral commissioners visit the opponent (Politician) in their zone of control as a gesture of fealty to clear the way for the right flow of their personal gain (Samuel et al., 2013). Corruption doesn’t end when public money is stolen. It also hurts justice and economic growth, and it destroys people’s trust in their government and political leaders. It also goes against the idea of managing public money well.
Political thugs are increasing among youths due to illiteracy, poverty, and inadequate employment opportunities created by politicians. All politicians hire political thugs to cause confusion during and after elections and to steal election materials (Okechukwu, 2016). The majority among these political thugs are impoverished adolescents who seek to make a living by any means necessary. They indulge in negative political acts such as political murder, the theft of voting machines or ballot papers, and showing voters and INEC officials contempt. The government wants these youth to stop committing immoral acts or behaving inhumanly, which could imperil election victory nationwide. Most political goons are dumped after winning the election, so they don’t enjoy the dividends of democracy until four years later. Youths must reason and preserve their votes, rights, democracy, and the nation (Samuel et al., 2013).
Political education
It should be noted that the quality of leaders selected is often a representation of the quality of education present in the country. In the same vein, there appears to be poor political education in Nigeria. This is revealed in the choice of candidates and the rationale behind those choices. Many citizens see elections as barely a routine without in-depth knowledge of its impact on different sectors of the country. Also, there is a need to properly educate Nigerians on election ethics to prevent them from selling their votes to the highest bidder. Finally, illiteracy would lead to selecting people without critical assessment of the candidate,
Poverty
The issue of poverty is widely recognised to be an underlying factor behind several problems in Nigeria. Most people tend to sell their votes during elections because of their financial situation. They do this ignorantly and without thinking of the potential implications. Similarly, Politicians tend to use the financial status of the masses which are largely poor to their advantage. They do this by making financial promises, giving money to market women and youths. Unfortunately, the living standard of the people does not change for better after they assume office as they tend only to pursue their interest and enrich themselves.
Impact of these issues
Legitimacy
Another bad thing about these security problems is that they make people question the legitimacy of the government that has been elected. In this manner, stolen ballots, the murder of political opponents, and other common security issues in Nigerian elections convey the impression that the majority, if not all, of those elected to office are lacking the backing of the masses. This often affects the new governments, which may have a hard time getting the people’s loyalty, cooperation, and goodwill. This occurred with the Yardua government following the 2007 general election. Proceeding the elections, both local and international election monitors said that the process had been marred by items such as the murder of political opponents, their intimidation, rigging, etc.
Militarization of civil society
When dishonest politicians use violent tactics to win elections, they unintentionally wind up fostering a violent mentality among the general public. The youth are particularly impacted. In this sense, young people are frequently enlisted as political thugs and given deadly weapons by dishonest politicians who take advantage of their unemployment and stupidity. Numerous studies have linked the actions of dishonest politicians who kept private armies of thugs to help them win elections to the increase of young unrest in the Niger Delta and the establishment of ethnic militant organizations (Chubah, 2009). By breaching the people’s mandate in an overwhelming effort to attain power at whatever cost, these dishonest politicians leave the populace dissatisfied and seething with repressed wrath. They are angry because they cannot have the government of their choice, and they are frustrated because democracy’s benefits are not available to them. These feelings of rage and anger have frequently manifested in violent mass actions, such as the Operation Wetie that followed the NNDP’s widespread election rigging of the Western Region in 19659 (Oloko, 2007).
Accordingly, election misconduct often results in the loss of lives and property. Similarly, the people are chiefly on the downside of this issues and their living conditions are not improved. The damage on property has a direct implication on the economy in an adverse context. This is seen when business or farm produce are burnt or destroyed. The destruction of products and business which would normally benefit the economy and living conditions of people is unreasonable and detrimental to the economy of Nigeria.
Recommendations
Distributing the required election materials to the various polling units would take less time as a result, and the election exercise will start on schedule as required by the INEC constitutions. However, this may lessen the frequency of violence, election rigging, and other irregularities. the media plays an important role in making sure that elections are free, fair, and trustworthy. Most people know about issues, people, and events that the media report on.
Given that they are the most significant resource of information, the media have the responsibility to enlighten the public about the current state of society. The media must show correct information and avoid false or harmful reporting. They must also stick to correct information. The Electoral Commission should have complete freedom to do its job without fear (Okoh, 2005). To make this happen, the money for the Commission should be kept in a single account. Also, electronic voting should be made available and used correctly to reduce the number of rigged elections. Electronic voting, on the other hand, will make it easy, clear, and scientifically proven to count and record votes. So, this process will make it harder for people to change election results at any level. It will also give Nigerians more faith, trust, and hope. Also, putting in place an electronic voting system will definitely cut down on the cost of elections and make it easier to trust the results. Security should be tight during and after the election so that mistakes from the past don’t happen again. The government should set up an Electoral Crime Commission and give it the power to bring to court anyone who does something wrong during an election.
References
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