Elections, Governance, And Democracy in Nigeria

Year : 2024 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 02 | Page : 20 28
    By

    Lucky Nwaoburu,

  • Anthony Egobueze,

  1. Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu – Oroworukwu,, Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  2. Lecturer, Department of Political Science, Rivers State University, Nkpolu – Oroworukwu,, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper investigated elections, governance, and democracy in Nigeria. Since independence in 1960, the State has continued to make significant progress towards democratization. Elections, which have served as a vehicle for conveying the interest of the people have been marred by irregularities, such as; voter intimidation, violence, and other allegations of fraud. These issues significantly undermine public trust in the electoral process, ruining its credibility and weakening the structures that ought to serve as a brace for functional institutions that aid the establishment of true democracy. Therefore, the paper analyzed the gap in governance and the subsequent frail democratic process that persists, bringing to bear the aftermath of a consistent systemic failure arising from the inability to prioritize national integration instead of personal interests. The data collection and analysis method used in this research is the documentary research design and analysis. The paper noted that democracy has been in disarray in Nigeria due to fraud and irregularities that characterize elections leading to bad governance. The paper recommended the adoption of governance practices that align with democratic best practices across the globe. This research work touches every necessary facet of the Nigerian electoral practices and governance. The wrongs and way of corrections if adopted into the democratic pattern of governance in the country. Not disputing the fact that Africa has a dilemma in adopting and practicalizing a true democratic system of government. Hence, this paper has provided several recommendations for proper government practices and leadership patterns that can synchronize with the best practices of democracy all over the world.

 

Keywords: Democracy, democratic process, election, governance, INEC

[This article belongs to Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal ]

How to cite this article:
Lucky Nwaoburu, Anthony Egobueze. Elections, Governance, And Democracy in Nigeria. Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2024; 14(02):20-28.
How to cite this URL:
Lucky Nwaoburu, Anthony Egobueze. Elections, Governance, And Democracy in Nigeria. Omni Science: A Multi-disciplinary Journal. 2024; 14(02):20-28. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/osmj/article=2024/view=148620


References

1. Okunola MO, Umaru A, Hassan SI. Manifestations and impacts of corruption on democratic governance in Nigeria. Int J Dev Manag Rev. 2019;14(1):164-74.
2. Abdulrasheed A. Corruption and Democratic Governance in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Myths and Reality. Fudma J Manag Sci. 2021 Jul 7;4(1).
3. Adegoke N. Youth Unemployment and Security Challenges in Nigeria. Asian J Humanit Soc Studies. 2015;3(1). Available from: https://www.ajouronline.com/index.php/AJHSS/article/
view/2245.
4. Adeniji A. Conflict management and peaceful co-existence in a democratic and plural society: The Nigerian example. The Constitution–A Journal of Constitutional Development. Centre for Constitutionalism and Demilitarization (CENCOD); 2003. Annual Report on the Human Rights situation in Nigeria, CDHR, Lagos; 2001.
5. Aka PC, Balogun JA. Primer on Nigeria, “Giant of Africa”. InHealthcare and Economic Restructuring: Nigeria in Comparative Perspective 2022 Apr 28 (pp. 25–47). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
6. Ani KJ, Uwizeyimana DE. Introducing elections and electoral violence in Africa. In: Ani KJ, Ojakorotu V, editors. Elections and electoral violence in Nigeria. Singapore: Palgrave Macmillan; 2022. p. 1-0. doi: 10.1007/978-981-16-4652-2_1.
7. Bala B, Tar UA. The giant of Africa? Explaining the Nigerian governance, security, and development paradox. The Governance, Security and Development Nexus: Africa Rising. 2021:315–39.
8. AL Chukwuma OK, Agantiem A. Language, Electioneering, and Social Media Contestations in Nigeria: The ‘Obidients’ and Their Opponents. Cent Eur J Politics. 2023;9(2):1–2.
9. Somine SD, Egobueze A. Electoral Violence and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: An Assessment of the General Elections in Rivers State, 2011–2019.
10. Egobueze A, Ojirika CU. Corruption and fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Analysis of the federal budgetary process, 1999 2016. Afr J Polit Sci Int Relations. 2018 Dec 31;12(10):191–207.
11. Cockburn C. The local state: management of cities and people. Race Class. 1977 Apr;18(4):363–76.
12. Gberevbie DE, Oni S. Postcolonial Nigeria: Power and politics in the first republic, 1960–1966. Nigerian Politics. 2021:55–75.
13. Ikyase TJ, Egberi AE. Political Violence and Democratic Stability in Nigeria: Reflecting on the past and Chatting the Way Rorward. Review of Public Administration and Management. (RPAM). 2015 Dec;400(3617):1–9.
14. Ali UD, Yahaya GS. Ethnic conflict in Nigeria: Causes and consequences. Int J Sci Res Multidiscip Stud. 2019;5(1):70-7.
15. Ogbonna IM. Print Media Representation Of The Roles Of Women In Ife-Modakeke And Aguleri-Umuleri Communal Conflicts In Nigeria (Doctoral dissertation).
16. Nwaoburu L. Ethnic Politics and the Challenge to National Integration. University of Nigeria, J Polit Econ. 2023 Dec 7;13(2).
17. Okoi O, Iwara M. The failure of governance in Nigeria: An epistocratic challenge. Georgetown J Int Aff. 2021. Available from: https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2021/04/12/the-failure-of-governance-in-nigeria-an-epistocratic-challenge/.
18. Ojo EO. Leadership crisis and political instability in Nigeria, 1964-1966: The personalities, the parties and the policies. Glob Adv Res J Hist Polit Sci Int Relation. 2012;1(1):006–17.
19. Olanrewaju T. Boko Haram abducts 100 female students in Borno, Nigeria. Daily Sun. 2014:8.
20. Olu-Adeyemi O. Ethno-National Identities and the Crisis of Nation Building in Nigeria. Unpublished PhD Thesis. 2008.
21. Olujide JO, Adeyemi SL, Gbadeyan RA. Nigerian electorates’ perception of political advertising and election campaign. J Soc Sci. 2011 Jun 1;27(3):179–85.
22. Osawe CO. Increase wave of violent crime and insecurity: A threat to socio-economic development in Nigeria. J Humanit Soc Sci. 2015 Jan;20(1):123–33.
23. Ojukwu UG, Mbah CM, Maduekwe VC. Elections and democratic consolidation: A study of 2019 general elections in Nigeria. Direct Res J Soc Sci Educ Studies. 2019 May;6(4):53–64.
24. Ojukwu UG, Umeifekwem UT, Okeke V. Democracy and 2023 general elections in Nigeria: Retrospect and prospects. Direct Res J Soc Sci Educ Stud. 2023;11(4):54-66. doi: 10.26765/DRJSSES918734361.
25. Sodiq Y. A history of the application of Islamic law in Nigeria. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan; 2018 Jul 13. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-50600-5.
26. Stiglitz JE, Regmi I. The causes of and responses to today’s inflation. Ind Corp Change. 2023;32:336-85. doi: 10.1093/icc/dtad009.

Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 02
Received 02/01/2024
Accepted 01/05/2024
Published 20/06/2024
1,190

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics