AN ASSESSMENT OF STRATEGIC TECHNIQUES REQUIRED FOR THE ELIMINATION OF ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Elections play a crucial role in democratic processes. They facilitate a transparent and nonviolent transition of political leadership and the equitable allocation of authority. Elections play a crucial role in democratic processes. They facilitate a transparent and nonviolent transition of political leadership and the equitable allocation of authority. Therefore, throughout the early 1990s, international policy circles began to place significant importance on the concept of democratisation as a viable approach towards achieving lasting peace (Van Ham, Caroline & Lindberg, 2015).

Elections in Nigeria and other regions revolve around the contestation of leadership positions by various means such as election, appointment, nomination, or imposition. The issue of election violence in Nigeria has been well-documented in scholarly literature (Goldsmith, Arthur 2015). What appears to be novel is the extensive and widespread reliance on it as a means of soliciting support from voters and achieving electoral victories. Currently, this issue has garnered considerable interest from governmental bodies, legislators, the general population, and the global community.

De Vidovgrad and Rukavina (2015) argue that electoral violence, as a subset of political violence, warrants particular attention from policymakers. Electoral violence has garnered heightened global recognition in recent years, primarily because to the severe consequences stemming from instances of violence during electoral processes in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

This inquiry pertains to the impact and causal connection that election violence has on the populace and our overall socio-economic progress as an independent state. Over the years, the issue at hand has emerged as a significant obstacle for Nigeria and, more broadly, Africa. The political economy of Nigeria, characterised by pervasive corruption, creates a conducive environment for armed conflicts during elections, as candidates engage in fierce competition to secure victory at any expense (Van Ham, Caroline & Lindberg, 2015). According to his perspective, the presence of firearms renders the Nigerian territory conducive to an imbalanced state of competitiveness. Hence, the presence and illicit trade of such weapons contribute to intergroup strife, political volatility, and present a risk not only to the security of a nation but also to the long-term progress, encompassing the crucial aspect of conducting democratic elections in a just and unbiased manner. The presence of firearms, together with the controversial characteristics of Nigerian politics as observed within the political framework, has been recognised as the underlying cause of electoral violence in Nigeria.

While certain researchers, such as Patel, Nandini, and Wahman (2015), contend that tiny arms are a primary contributor to insecurity, alternative perspectives posit that small arms serve as catalysts or instigating elements. Travaglianti and Manuela (2016) have argued that social and political marginalisation, inadequate human development, unemployment, under-employment, and other significant human challenges serve as factors that attract electoral violence, which is directly linked to the proliferation of arms in Nigeria. The proliferation of arms experienced a significant increase following the establishment of a democratic regime in 1999. This can be attributed to the active involvement of political elites in the acquisition of arms, which were subsequently utilised for electoral manipulation and the intimidation of opposing political adversaries (Goldsmith, Arthur 2015). Electoral violence has become an integral aspect of the Nigerian political and electoral process, since a significant number of elections held in Nigeria since 1993 have been characterised by incidents of violence. Therefore, election violence has emerged as a prominent characteristic inside Nigeria's political environment. Electoral violence is observed at three distinct stages of the electoral process, specifically the pre-election phase, the period during the election, and the post-election period. This phenomenon is characterised by a diverse range of manifestations. This encompasses a wide array of criminal activities, including acts of physical assault, intentional fire-setting, theft and manipulation of voting boxes, as well as instances of homicide or targeted killings. This has claimed more than 11,000 lives in Nigeria between 1993-2006 hence the need for this study.

1.2  STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Since the restoration of Nigeria's democratic system in 1999, the occurrence of violence in Nigerian elections has unfortunately become a recurring phenomenon. The implementation of localised peacebuilding initiatives in states with a history of war, such as Kaduna, has resulted in significant enhancements in security. Furthermore, ongoing endeavours are currently being undertaken in the volatile Plateau state. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that the potential for election-related violence throughout the entire nation remains alarmingly elevated. There are several factors contributing to election violence that have not been adequately addressed, and if the current tensions surrounding polls continue to grow, these factors will be further intensified (Anifowose, 2015).

Election-related conflicts, regardless of whether they are orchestrated or spontaneous in nature, possess unique characteristics that serve as indicators of dissatisfaction pertaining to deeply interconnected social and economic issues. In the Nigerian context, several issues have been identified as significant sources of concern. These include a general sense of discontentment with the performance of the government, heightened rivalry for limited resources, prevailing distrust among different social and ethnic groups, high levels of unemployment, and widespread frustration towards the prevalence of unscrupulous politicians who demonstrate minimal regard for due process and the rule of law. During electoral cycles, there is a convergence of underlying social and economic issues with aspirations and anxieties for transformative shifts, resulting in heightened tensions and an increased probability of aggressive competition (Alanamu, 2015). This phenomenon is particularly evident in nations such as Nigeria, where persistent instability, inadequate governance, communal conflicts, gang-related confrontations, and violence instigated by influential individuals contribute to the perpetuation of deep-rooted grievances. The presence of economic incentives, prior anger, and opportunistic wants for retribution can serve as influential factors that contribute to the propensity for engaging in violent behaviour. The continued perception of a government that offers limited responsibility for electoral offences has generated renewed frustration and concern around inequities in the electoral process. This phenomenon is especially evident in cases where both the governing party and its opposition perceive elections as a situation in which one side's gain is directly proportional to the other side's loss. Electoral violence is seldom attributed to a single cause; rather, it arises from a combination of circumstances that contribute to the occurrence of violence prior to, during, or following an election.

In order to effectively address and reduce electoral violence, it is imperative to implement tactics and interventions that encourage influential political figures to use non-violent approaches in their pursuit of political competition. In nations where governments intentionally instigate violence as a means of preserving their authority, the implementation of efficacious techniques might furnish opposition factions with political instruments to attain a comparative advantage over the ruling party. Consequently, these opposition organisations can serve as exemplars for transformative change, thereby mitigating or reducing instances of electoral violence.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to assess strategic techniques required for the elimination of electoral violence in Nigeria. Specific objectives of this study include:

i.          To determine the extent of electoral violence in Nigeria.

ii.        To find out the causes of electoral violence in Nigeria.

iii.      To investigate the effects of electoral violence in Nigeria.

iv.      To investigate ways electoral violence can be eliminated in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

i.          What is the extent of electoral violence in Nigeria?

ii.        What are the causes of electoral violence in Nigeria?

iii.      What are the effects of electoral violence in Nigeria?

iv.      What ways can electoral violence be eliminated in Nigeria?

1.5  SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

Even the deadly Boko Haram insurgency can't compare to the dangers posed by electoral violence and political indifference, which together pose an even bigger risk to national security. While Boko Haram embarks on a hit-and-run strategy and localises its operations within the North Eastern part of the country, electoral violence and systemic corruption have dangerously entangled the very fabric of the Nigerian State. More troubling is the reality that the governing elites, political gladiators, and their accomplices foster and commit electoral violence despite little or no concern from the general people. This violence, which plants the germ of political indifference, makes the situation even worse.

This study is significant in that it aims to expose not only the causes and effects of electoral violence, but also to present a forensic analysis on selected past and current elections in order to produce data that can be used as a reference not only in the academic community, but also by election administrators in Nigeria.

1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

Broadly, this study focuses on the assessment of strategic techniques required for the elimination of electoral violence in Nigeria. Specifically, determining the extent of electoral violence in Nigeria, finding out the causes of electoral violence in Nigeria, investigating the effects of electoral violence in Nigeria and investigating ways electoral violence can be eliminated in Nigeria.

1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

Moreover, the case study method utilized in the study posed some challenges to the investigator including the possibility of biases and poor judgment of issues. However, the investigator relied on respect for the general principles of procedures, justice, fairness, objectivity in observation and recording, and weighing of evidence to overcome the challenges.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Election: Is a process of selecting one person or more for an office, public or private, from a wider field of candidates.

Violence: Violence is the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy.