This study, “ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA” contains concise information that will serve as a framework or guide for your project work. The project study is well-researched for academic purposes and are usually provided in complete chapters with adequate References. Keywords: ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA
ABSTRACT This research work examines ²Electoral violence and the challenges to democratic consolidation in Nigeria². Election in the federation had been characterized by violence, rigging and malpractices. All these had undermined the integrity of the democratic exercise in the country. The various republics viz first, second and the third faced extinction characterized by high level of political instability, violence, ethnic politics and civil unrest. The various political parties over the years had resorted to rigging as a means of carrying the day. This has brought about incredible government with no popular support of the Nigerian populace into the corridor of power. Against this backdrop, this study is designed to trace the historical bred of electoral violence over the years, analyze the impact on the body politics of the nation and untimely to proffer solutions to the ²ugly monster² bedeviling our electoral practice, norms, customs and systems. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background to the Study 1.2 Statement of the Problem 1.3 Objectives of the Study 1.4 Significance of the Study 1.5 Research Questions 1.6 Scope of the Study 1.7 Definition of Terms CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Conceptualization of Election 2.2 The concept of Democracy 2.2.1 Elements of Democracy 2.2.2 Principles of Democracy 2.3 Electoral Violence: A Conceptual Framework 2.3.1 Theoretical Framework 2.3.2 Electoral Malpractices and Violence in Nigeria 2.4 Nature and Causes of Electoral Violence 2.4.1 Poverty/Unemployment 2.4.2 Weak Governance and Corruption 2.4.3 Sit- Tightism 2.4.4 Rigging of Election 2.5 Democratic Consolidation 2.6 Challenges of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria 2.6.1 Ethno- Religious Factor 2.6.2 Poverty 2.6.3 The politics of Godfatherism 2.6.4 Security Question 2.6.5 The Incumbency Factor 2.6.6 Multiple Electoral Challenges 2.6.7 The Absence of True Federalism 2.7 Curbing the Menace of Electoral Violence and the Challenges to Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1 Research Design 3.2 Area of Study 3.3 Population and Sampling 3.4 Instrument for Data Collection 3.5 Validation of the Instrument 3.6 Method of Data Collection 3.7 Method of Data Analysis CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 4.0 Introduction 4.1 Data Interpretation 4.2 Data Analysis CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 5.1 Summary 5.2 Conclusion 5.3 Recommendations Reference Appendixes CHAPTER ONE 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY A prognosis of Nigeria future requires an in-depth knowledge of its political development and the actors at play that has trailed the most populous black nation to its present state. Played by leadership crisis, Nigeria is polarized on a dangerous religious note. With the North, vast inland mass and itlooks towards Mecca, Arabia, and Egypt. The south, Portugal and Germany. This historical conspiracy forms an integral jinx in the political tsunami that Nigeria finds herself today. Maier¢s analysis is anchored on the history of religious and electoral violence fuelled by ethnopolitics, without any consideration for national interest. With the Niger Delta militants in the South-South (the very headquarters of Nigeria main stay-oil) clamoring for resource control, Boko-Haram in North, killing about 5million people, Nnamdikanu, director of radio Biafra, from the south east itching for the declaration of Biafra Republic, Oodua People¢s Congress in West plotting regional integration, one needs no nostra damus to predict that an Armageddon looms. In Nigeria, the process of leadership change since its birth has remained a nightmare to her citizens. Electoral violence has always characterized almost all elections Nigeria, and by extension has brought to the fore a durable disorder marked by illegitimate authorities in the governance of the state at one time or the other. In a liberal democracy, election is the best option to change government periodically. It does not only promote leadership change, it encourages accountability in leadership. It allows for participation and it help to reside power to the people. Largely, the problem that characterizes electoral violence emanates from identify, especially in Nigeria¢s plural society as Manuel castells infers that identify is peoples source of meaning and experience. (Manuel castells, 2004). Evidence abound on how electoral violence manifests in all Nigeria¢s elections thereby making democratic transitions chaotic, bloody and makes governing authorities at given time less legitimate. The quest to consolidate true democracy in Nigeria has feverishly led to invitation of foreign observers in order to ensure a balanced outcome and reporting. All these efforts have largely been to no avail in a nation rocked by interethnic friction and tendency to control power at the centre for one sectional advantage or the other. The thesis tends to deliberate on electoral violence in each general election conducted in Nigeria between 1999-2011 and the associated problems of consolidating democracy for which international community features to monitor elections while helping Nigeria to overcome its limping democratic transitions and consolidation Power belongs to the people, hence, the full participation of the people during elections gives the new government a legitimate foundation to govern. Any government against this background will not enjoy legitimacy, which gives every government a political support from the people because it deemed rightfulsince the support emanates from the people. However, if democracy is all about the will of the people, the election is one paramount way to select a leader. To be precise, elections are the best means to make the sovereign power of the masses known. This work highlights historical and contemporary electoral violence in Nigeria. Poor electoral processes in Nigeria were evident in 1964/1965, 1979, 1983, 1993, 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015 generalelections but the limit of this enquiry is 1999-2011. Between 1999 and 2007, election riggings have been accompanied with bloodshed and this has claimed lives of so many Nigerians, especially popular contestants. These political killing are executed by hired assassins. From desperate politicians who want power by all means. The contemporary political barons in Nigeria impose gullible electoral officers who employ various tricks to win election for their employersto the detriment of the masses and popular candidates. This however, has made the systemvery boring and many have restored to stay at home during election earning for fear of being intimidated orco-erced to vote against their will and this is too bad for a country in the march to institutionalize a consolidated democracy. 1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The phenomenon of electoral violence is not new in Nigeria politics. As ironically put, the fear of elections, is the beginning of political wisdom. In essence, elections are periods during which the political stability and security of the Nigerian state in the balance. Elections in political perspective, is that democratic ideas and the standard for electing candidates into political offices should be respected. However,in the Nigerian context, elections are demonstrations and manifestation of might, geographical manipulations, godfatherism and the iron law of oligarchy. The inability of the country to conduct hitch free elections has made her the butt of bad jokes in the international community. The recent development in the political scene are clear indications that there is no end in sight to the crises and instability that characterized the nascent democracy. Moreso, the perceived failure or democratically elected governments to conduct free and fair elections and their complacent attitude towards election related evidence are also probably the greatest threat to democracy in Nigeria. This research therefore seeks to examine the electoral violence and the challenges to democratic consolidation in Nigerian, by highlighting the issues involved their impacts on the country’s nascent democracy and thereby suggesting solution to these perennial problems and challenges 1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Keywords: ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA
DO YOU WANT TO ORDER FOR THE COMPLETE PROJECT MATERIAL? Then click here Have you made payment for this project? If YES, contact our Customer Care. For further enquiries, call our Hotlines: 08160616303 or 08152487601 PROJECT TOPICS AND MATERIALS | HIRE A WRITER | HOW TO PAY FOR PROJECT
Keywords: ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND ITS CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA
DISCLAIMER: hiWriters.com.ng focus on attracting students and researchers to materials that can be used as guide, framework, and reference for their project work. All contents/materials on this website are for research purposes only and for no reason should you copy verbatim. This platform is not encouraging any form of plagiarism, neither are we advocating the use of the project materials for cheating. We strictly recommend that research project topics and materials ordered for should serve as a guide or framework only. The contents therein should be used to generate fresh ideas for your own research. Finally, hiWriters.com.ng will not be liable for any material used inappropriately. |
