The voice of reason: a thematic appraisal of editorial coverage of Nigeria’s 2015 elections

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study is an analysis of four Nigerian newspaper editorials’ (the Guardian, Vanguard, Independent and Leadership) coverage of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. Peace and solution journalism perspectives provided the theoretical insights through which the examination is made. This qualitative study, located within an interpretivist tradition, identified 101 election-related editorials for the study. Using a purposive sampling technique, 25 editorials that were illustrative of the three themes: violence-free polls, rational voting, and credible electoral process, which emerged from reading and re-reading of the editorials, were selected for analysis. The research showed that the editorials sought to a. redirect the attention of the electorate caught up in the personalisation of issues by politicians towards key issues affecting the nation, to guide their electoral decisions, b. appeal to political actors to stem the spate of violence in the polity and c. advocate for a credible electoral process to produce leadership that would be truly reflective of the wishes and aspirations of the people. The editorials made moral and ethical appeals urging “supra-national” and patriotic attitudes as well as more detailed process interventions. This study highlights the role of editorials in peacebuilding efforts at such times as elections.