Elections In Nigeria Research Articles

Public Perception on the Role of Public Relations Strategies for Peace-Building During Political Activities in Nigeria

The study set out to assess public perception of the role of public relations strategies for peace-building during political activities in Nigeria. The population of the study were electorates in the six Areas Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria. The study was supported by the excellent theory. A quantitative research approach was used. The findings revealed among others that public relations strategies used in peace-building during the 2023 general elections in FCT include dialogue, mediation, negotiation, arbitration, community relations, intercession, intervention, inquest, conciliation, adjudication, use of the mass media, public view and propaganda devices. Thus, the study recommended that the application of public relations strategies in peace-building during election-related matters in Nigeria should take a holistic and truthful approach by accommodating divergent views from the different segments of Nigerian society. Also, proper utilisation of the different types of media by public relations practitioners is imperative in bringing about peace during elections in Nigeria.

Using Improved Two-Source Capture-Recapture Methods In Settling Disputed Election Results

Introduction of new technology to check rigging and manipulation of election results by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) raised hopes and dreams of many Nigerians, especially the new electorates, that the 2023 general election in Nigeria would be free and fair. Cross-checking INEC declared election results using this recapture model is supposed go beyond questionnaires. Sampling technique to select polling units where re-run election is to take place is necessary. They have been issues of vote suppression, rigging, manipulation or intimation in those areas would have largely been reduced. The new estimator has shown that there were no serious cases of vote suppression, manipulation or intimation by any political party, as far as this Local Government Area is concerned. If there were vote suppression, it is only about 1.78% which is negligible. Using simulated data, we found that efficient recapture model (Me) provides better and more reliable estimate than the conventional models.

Comparative Analysis of Daily Trust and Vanguard Newspapers’ Coverage of Political Parties in the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria

Comparative Analysis of Daily Trust and Vanguard Newspapers’ Coverage of Political Parties in the 2023 Presidential Election in Nigeria

Public Perception of Hate Speech on Social Media (Facebook) during the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

In the contemporary global landscape, the advent of information and communication technology has interconnected societies, fostering increased civic engagement. Notably, social media platforms, a manifestation of this technological innovation, play a vital role in political discourse, drawing active participation from politicians, political parties, and their supporters. However, the utilization of these platforms in the context of electoral campaigns, particularly in nations like Nigeria, has raised concerns due to the dissemination of political information carrying adverse repercussions. This study delves into the examination of the public's perceptions regarding hate speech on Facebook during Nigeria's 2023 general elections. Employing a survey research strategy and leveraging convenient sampling, data were collected from residents within the geographical scope of Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Nigeria. The research framework drew upon the public sphere theory to elucidate its core objectives. Findings underscored the prevalence of hate speech on Facebook during the 2023 elections, attributing it to factors such as financial inducements, conspiracies, lack of citizen journalist training, religious interests, and sectional, tribal, and political influences. Notably, Facebook emerged as a platform for disseminating speeches that fueled animosity toward politicians, tribes, religions, and sections, instigating widespread antipathy without substantial knowledge of the targeted individuals or candidates. The research also highlighted the use of Facebook for insults, harassment, and the propagation of divisive narratives, contributing to tribal and religious conflicts, heightened tensions, attacks, disparities, and internal discord. This study's implications suggest a potential undermining of Nigeria's democratic progress. As a remedy, the study advocates for the responsible and positive use of social media platforms by users, especially during critical events such as elections.

Developing a Geo-Spatial Database and Standard Queries for Election Management by Stakeholders within Jos South, Nigeria

One of the major set-backs of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria as highlighted by YIAGA Africa (2024) was the failure of the body saddled with election management which is Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), to deploy Geo-spatial Database (GSDB) as a repository in the efficient management processes which enable all election stakeholder participate seamlessly and interactively. The modus of oparandy for the geo-spatial database was hierarchical by dis-aggregating GSDB to the lowest geographical unit. The recent court verdict on re-delineation of electoral wards in Rivers State did not go down well with the political pundits prior to the forth coming local government election in the state. It surffices to say that, INEC from the on-set never had a geo-spatial database from which delineation and update of electoral wards, polling units can be carried out This will further build confidence and integrity, then reducing litigations that characterized the 2023 elections. The GSDB used was predicated on file geo-database of ArcGIS, where both spatial and attribute data of the study were stored; and standard query languages that are pertinent to elections were issued at prompt which generated maps and texts for decision making by all stakeholders.

The Impact of the 2022 Electoral Reform on the Credibility of the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

Over the years, Nigeria has faced serious election fraud, leading many Nigerians to lose confidence in the electoral process. In 2022, the new Electoral Act was introduced, creating more opportunities for the integration of technologies like BVAS and IREV to improve voter accreditation, result transmission, and real-time election viewership for all stakeholders. This development was welcomed by many Nigerians who hoped the Act would restore voter confidence in the country. However, the outcome of the elections, particularly the presidential elections, indicated that the Act failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians. This study therefore examined the Electoral Act 2022 and the election credibility of the 2023 elections. It explored why the Act failed to mitigate insecurity and ensure effective transmission and viewing of election results, which are key to free and fair elections. Using a mixed research approach to data collection and analysis, the study drew on direct responses from voters and stakeholders, scholarly literature, media reports, and findings from election observer groups. The results indicate that while the Act provides a legal framework for stronger elections in Nigeria, it has not sufficiently ensured a free and fair election in the presidential polls. The study concludes that the Act alone cannot guarantee transparent elections due to poor implementation by stakeholders and certain grey areas in the Act that were exploited for election manipulation. The researcher recommends revisiting or strengthening these grey areas to prevent manipulation by elites and ensuring effective implementation by all stakeholders. Specifically, the study suggests the integration of technological advancements, such as blockchain for secure voting, electronic voting systems to enhance accessibility, geospatial technology for better logistics management, and secure mobile applications for real-time results transmission, to further bolster election credibility and transparency in Nigeria.

3-Player 3-Strategy Nash Equilibruim of Party’s Presidential Primaries in the Build-Up to 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

The research formulated a political game model of All Progressive Congress (APC) Party Contestants for the Presidential Primaries in order to determine the best possible candidate who would be presented by the Party for winning the 2023 General Election in Nigeria. The method of solution involved Nash equilibrium which yielded a pure Nash result of Propaganda, Consultation and Youth mobilization Strategies for Yahaya Bello, Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Yemi Osinbajo respectively. The study concluded that, the outcome of the Party’s primaries which produced Ahmed Bola Tinubu as its flag bearer was consistent with the model’s result. Because, Ahmed Bola Tinubu did a lot of deep consultation with stakeholders while Yahaya Bello’s best response was propaganda as Osibanjo was preferred by the Youth of the Party.

Party politics, dearth of political ideology, and the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This article undertakes a critical examination of the paucity of political ideology within Nigeria’s party system, with a particular focus on the 2023 presidential election. It further explores the ramifications of this deficiency on the political landscape and developmental trajectory of the country. In liberal democracies, political ideology plays a crucial role in shaping the political system and determining the course of a state’s political and economic development, but Nigeria’s political landscape currently suffers from a lack of ideology. Political parties in Nigeria are not driven by ideas, beliefs, and values. They are not groups of individuals who share a common ideology, but rather serve as platforms for patronage and wealth accumulation for the political elites. This article advances the argument that the lack of political ideology in Nigerian politics weakens the political system and creates a democratic deficit. These factors challenge the process of democratic development in Nigeria.

The Prevention of Electoral Violence: A Panacea for Achieving Credible Election in Nigeria

The Prevention of Electoral Violence: A Panacea for Achieving Credible Election in Nigeria

The strategic use of ethnic and religious identity in Nigerian elections by the two dominant political parties

ABSTRACT This article examines the use of religion and ethnicity during elections in Nigeria. Nigeria’s diverse ethno-religious landscape has profoundly shaped its political dynamics, and political parties often leverage these identities to gain electoral advantage. During elections, Nigerians tend to align with political parties based on the party’s religious ideology. Self-serving politicians and political parties have turned to religion as a campaign tool. This is a qualitative study using the narrative method. Data was gathered from semi-structured interviews with 11 purposively selected informants and from relevant academic literature. Documentary analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings of the study were presented thematically, thus: a) the resurgence of political religion; b) the rise of religious populists; c) the emergence of militarizated non-state actors; d) the targets of Christian religious voters; e) the targets of ethnic groups from southern Nigeria; f) the target of state apparatus; g) bad leadership; and h) the institutionalisation of authoritarianism. During election campaigns, Nigerians vote for candidates with particular religious or ethnic identities due to the fear of losing their lives or properties.

Framing and the Social Construction of Violence in Select Online News Discourse on the 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

Violence undermines the democratic character of elections, and the news discourse is a significant route through which such issue is socially constructed. This study investigates how the Vanguard and Arise News employed transitivity theory as an interpretive schema in framing the violence that marked the 2023 general elections in Nigeria to determine the impact of election violence on voters. Fourteen extracts (7 each from Vanguard and Arise News) as well as responses from 20 participants (5 each from the fields of Journalism, education, accounting and public relations) were purposively selected and analysed using mixed methods comprising descriptive content analysis and in-depth interviews. The findings unveil both news reports’ usage of material, verbal, and relational processes as frames to foreground shades of electoral violence such as the snatching of ballot boxes, disrupting of the voting process, intimidating of voters, disrupting of the collation of results, kidnapping of INEC officials, decimating of innocent citizens, vandalizing of polling units, assaulting of election observers, and carting away of electoral materials. Transitivity processes highlight power relations between groups as well as label certain groups positively and others negatively. The responses from the in-depth interview reveal that electoral violence have a detrimental influence on voters because it produces feelings of dissatisfaction, dread, and dejection in them thereby preventing them from wanting to vote in subsequent elections.

A strange texture of non-violent activism: the Nasarawa women peace leadership emerging from the 2023 Nigeria elections

A strange texture of non-violent activism: the Nasarawa women peace leadership emerging from the 2023 Nigeria elections

Vote Trading and Elections in Nigeria: Democracy as an Article of Trade?

This paper is underscored by the commodification and trading of votes in Nigeria which poses a threat to credible elections, democracy, and good governance. Domestic and global studies including election observers have established that there has always been widespread exchange of votes for money in Nigeria. In this regard, this paper looks at the issue of voting commodification in the country with a view to highlighting its attendant implications for present and future elections, democracy, and governance. Using descriptive and content analysis with data gathered through secondary sources the paper sought to answer the following questions: What is behind the narrative of vote trading in Nigeria? Why do politicians buy votes? Why do people sell votes? Is vote trading conditioned by individual beliefs or social norm? What are the consequences of vote trading on governance? What are the possible solutions to the problem? The paper argues that candidates and political parties engage in material gratification and vote trading during elections and that vote trading is propelled by independent, individual decision and mainly driven by material circumstances. It further contends that the more politicians engage in vote buying and gratification the more unstable the electoral process becomes as that prevents credible candidates from running for political office as they may not have the humongous amount required to contest in election. The study concludes that material vote selling and buying, and gratification pose negative tendencies for Nigerian political system, democracy, and good governance if not properly handled. The paper recommends among others taking political financing seriously with the electoral umpire- Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) more proactive in fighting vote trading and the electorates through political education be encouraged to avoid all kinds of inducements from political parties and candidates.

Religion and Mobilization of Ethnic Power for Elections in Nigeria 2011-2023

Religion and Mobilization of Ethnic Power for Elections in Nigeria 2011-2023

Interpersonal Communication and its Influence on Vote Buying in 2023 Anambra South Senatorial Election in Nigeria

Interpersonal Communication and its Influence on Vote Buying in 2023 Anambra South Senatorial Election in Nigeria

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Conduct of Elections in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Maurice Iwu and Attahiru Jega’s Administration

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Conduct of Elections in Nigeria: A Comparative Analysis of Maurice Iwu and Attahiru Jega’s Administration

Application of Game Theory in the Nigerian Electoral System

In this paper, we carry out a study on the application of game theory in the Nigerian electoral system. The data for the study was collected from the official publication of INEC results for six major political parties in the February 25th, 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. In the competitive game, each political party and INEC used mixed strategies in the game. The political parties compete for the electorates’ vote while INEC regulates the game. INEC has six strategies and political parties also have six strategies which they apply in various proportions to outweigh the other. Therefore, for any of the political parties to be successful in the election, she must apply: party structure up to 19.54%; manifesto up to 20.18%; campaign up to 19.05%; people’s perception of the political party up to 20.26%; vote from electorate up to 19.54% and acceptable candidate up to 1.43% of the time respectively. For INEC to effectively perform her statutory responsibility, she must apply: electoral law up to 18.71%; electoral guidelines up to 19.99%; prosecuting electoral offenders up to 16.87%; cancelling elections up to 23.14%; inconclusive elections up to 19.19%; declaration of results up to 2.10% of the time respectively and the value of the game was 1.5337.

Newspapers’ Reportage of the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria: Implication Towards De-Escalation of Electoral Violence

The mass media play a crucial role in electoral processes. Most scholarly attention has primarily been focused on media coverage of election conflicts, with little attention on the deescalation of electoral violence in the media reportage. This study, therefore, aimed at assessing the prominence given to de-escalating electoral violence in the coverage of the 2015 general elections in Nigerian newspapers. Employing exploratory design, the research utilised media content analysis and in-depth interviews as methods. Four newspapers Daily Trust, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Independent, and The Sun were purposively sampled. A total of 520 editions of the newspapers were coded and analysed using a coding sheet. Additionally, twelve interviews were conducted with editors, correspondents, and INEC officials. Quantitative data were analysed using frequency counts and percentages, while qualitative data were analyzed through the narrative technique. Findings revealed that newspapers gave high prominence to the de-escalation of electoral violence in their coverage and reportage of the 2015 general elections in Nigeria. The study underscores the importance of media operators being more conflict-sensitive in their presentation of sensitive issues like elections and adherence to professional journalistic ethics.

Political Apathy in 2023 General Elections in Nigeria: A Case Study of Enugu State, Nigeria

This study examined political apathy and 2023 general elections in Nigeria using Enugu state as a case study.The study raised two specific questions which were: What are the various factors responsible for political apathy in the 2023 general election in Enugu state? How has government interference contributed to political apathy during the 2023 general elections in Enugu State? The study was anchored on the class analysis theory. Using ex-post facto design the study adopted thematic content analysis to examine political apathy and 2023 general elections in Enugu. The study therefore, concluded that there are various factors responsible for political apathy in the 2023 general election in Enugu state and government interference contributed to political apathy during the 2023 general elections in Enugu State. The researcher recommended that state governments should ensure to leave up to the promises of good governance made to the people. All factors that lead to political apathy must be checkmated. Enforceable legislations against election rigging, violence, thuggery, godfatherism and the like should be put into practice. Good governance will ensure, justice, fairness, equity and inclusion for all. All federal government agencies charged with voter education like National Orientation Agency (NOA), INEC, and Ministry of Information should sustain political education at all levels of the society. Political apathy is not the solution to electoral problems rather it endangers the electoral system more. Popular participation in elections will help reduce the influence of godfathers during elections thus creating room for the emergence of credible leaders through a credible election process. Keywords: Apathy; Political Apathy, Elections; Electoral Fraud and Violence

Hidden contestation: valence issues, methodological blindness and the politics of development in Nigeria

ABSTRACT Political competition in Africa is often characterized as suffering from a number of deficiencies at the level of political discourse and electoral campaigns, which together paint a picture of an essentially vacuous political life. This article contends that these absences are to some degree methodologically generated. If African political actors appear to have little substance to say about the most pressing social and economic issue of the day, then perhaps as scholars of politics we are looking at what they say in the wrong way? This article points to the limitations of an increasingly popular method of discourse analysis in African politics based on coding political statements within a framework that contrasts valence politics with a position-based appeals framework. It argues for an alternative more contextualized, inductive method of analysing political discourse as the struggle to control the meaning of key terms, using the example highly contested gubernatorial election in Nigeria’s southwest. Debates over “stomach infrastructure” and a “hierarchy of needs” reveal the possibility that political discourse and electoral campaigning that on more mechanistic methodologies look devoid of substantive political contestation in fact contain competing conceptions of development and what the state should do.