The solutions to electoral violence in Nigeria
By
Abbati Bako
Why Violence during Elections?
Furthermore one of the most significant functions of elections is to legitimate a political system, ensure the accountability of leaders and reinforce people’s participation in political system. Yet there have been very few instances where these goals are fulfilled in Nigeria . More over, elections are battle grounds.
These violent conflicts occur because of electoral frauds that mar the legitimacy and erode the stability of the political system.
Paul Collier observes that “in the divided societies of the bottom billion, when political power is won through violence, the results are usually lawful. “The political strong man in a divided society is seldom a visionary leader; he is a more likely to be self serving to the interests of a narrow Support groups”. Elections in Nigeria have been marked by violence leading to negative impact. It is therefore important that everything should be done to reduce and mitigate the harmful effects of electoral violence. It has been recognized all over the world that democracy is the best form of government. This is because elections are an important foundation of democracy. Through voting, citizens make choices among the contesting parties and candidates.
However, some experts on election have observed that elections have always been associated with problems where stakeholders are not playing their roles properly. Other problems of elections include lack of independence of INEC, irresponsible behavior by politicians and followers. Others are thuggery and violence, monetization of politics and God-fatherism.
Furthermore, trends of election in Nigeria have shown that elections in Nigeria have been marked with violence. For example in the general elections of 1959 and 1964, (wild wild west): there were illegal voting, bribery and falsification of results.
In all the 1979, 1983 and 1999 elections in Nigeria, there were competitive riggings. It was also the case that in the 2003 election there was accumulation of votes while in 2007 election, there was direct capture of the people’s mandate. Some practical issues in the Anambra election were: 2003 – March story of God-fatherism.
However, can we empirically say that there is a link between violence and election in Nigeria? Can we also measure the extent to which election in Nigeria have contributed to the exacerbation of violence in Nigeria? How can we prove the causes of exacerbation of tension due to competitive democratic election in Nigeria 2007? If it exists at all, how do we establish that some people do cause violence and tension during election in Nigeria?
To continue
Abbati Bako,UK (Political Strategy Consultant)
By
Abbati Bako
Why Violence during Elections?
Furthermore one of the most significant functions of elections is to legitimate a political system, ensure the accountability of leaders and reinforce people’s participation in political system. Yet there have been very few instances where these goals are fulfilled in Nigeria . More over, elections are battle grounds.
These violent conflicts occur because of electoral frauds that mar the legitimacy and erode the stability of the political system.
Paul Collier observes that “in the divided societies of the bottom billion, when political power is won through violence, the results are usually lawful. “The political strong man in a divided society is seldom a visionary leader; he is a more likely to be self serving to the interests of a narrow Support groups”. Elections in Nigeria have been marked by violence leading to negative impact. It is therefore important that everything should be done to reduce and mitigate the harmful effects of electoral violence. It has been recognized all over the world that democracy is the best form of government. This is because elections are an important foundation of democracy. Through voting, citizens make choices among the contesting parties and candidates.
However, some experts on election have observed that elections have always been associated with problems where stakeholders are not playing their roles properly. Other problems of elections include lack of independence of INEC, irresponsible behavior by politicians and followers. Others are thuggery and violence, monetization of politics and God-fatherism.
Furthermore, trends of election in Nigeria have shown that elections in Nigeria have been marked with violence. For example in the general elections of 1959 and 1964, (wild wild west): there were illegal voting, bribery and falsification of results.
In all the 1979, 1983 and 1999 elections in Nigeria, there were competitive riggings. It was also the case that in the 2003 election there was accumulation of votes while in 2007 election, there was direct capture of the people’s mandate. Some practical issues in the Anambra election were: 2003 – March story of God-fatherism.
However, can we empirically say that there is a link between violence and election in Nigeria? Can we also measure the extent to which election in Nigeria have contributed to the exacerbation of violence in Nigeria? How can we prove the causes of exacerbation of tension due to competitive democratic election in Nigeria 2007? If it exists at all, how do we establish that some people do cause violence and tension during election in Nigeria?
To continue
Abbati Bako,UK (Political Strategy Consultant)
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