THE PROBLEMS OF THUGGERY DURING THE NIGERIA 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN LAGOS STATE.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The seventh set of general elections to take place in Nigeria since the country's return to civilian rule from military rule in 1999 took place on February 25th, 2023. (Tolu, 2022). On February 25, elections for the presidency and federal parliament were held across the country. On March 11, elections for governor and state legislatures will take place in 28 of the country's 36 states. (Because of legal challenges, the election cycles in the other eight states are different. These challenges have resulted in the cancellation of elections or the removal of individuals who were improperly sworn into office (Adeniyi, 2023). After the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deregistered 74 other parties in 2020 due to the fact that they did not meet the criteria established by the constitution, eighteen parties decided to participate in the election. The elections were unlike any other vote that has ever been held in Nigeria. First, while previous presidential elections have been largely decided by just two parties, the race for the presidency in 2023 is shaping up to be a three-way contest between the current ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), its long-time rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which was in power from 1999 until 2015, and the Labour Party, which was not considered a major player until relatively recently. This election will take place in Nigeria. Since President Muhammadu Buhari has already completed the maximum of two terms in office, he is ineligible to run again (Gboyega,2022). Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos state (1999-2007), Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president (1999-2007), and Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra state under the Labour Party, are the three candidates who are currently in the lead for the presidency of Nigeria (2006-2014). A fourth candidate, the former governor of Kano state and current member of the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is also running for the presidency but does not appear to present a significant challenge nationally (Punch, 2019). The three-man race creates the remote possibility that none of the candidates will win the 25 percent of the vote in two thirds of the states that is required for an outright victory, which would result in the country's first-ever run-off election. Since the beginning of the electoral campaign, ACLED has monitored the impact and dynamics of thuggery during elections in Nigeria through the Nigeria Election Violence Tracker, an interactive resource created in partnership with the Nigeria-based Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD). According to the findings of this study, the level of political violence in the lead-up to the election in 2023 and even afterward will be largely comparable to the levels seen before the election in 2019, increasing in intensity as the election day draws closer. In spite of this, there has been an increase in violence directed at party supporters and electoral officials, along with activity by regional and criminal groups. These factors point to possible vulnerabilities in the aftermath of the vote (John, 2023). Thugs are not limited to the activities of a single political party; rather, all political parties are complicit in this activity. This despicable practice is engaged in by both major political parties in their mutually competitive efforts to seize power from one another or to maintain their advantage over the other. The act of thuggery is not confined to a single region of the country and can be found across the entirety of the United States. In point of fact, it is quite unlikely that a major daily newspaper would go an entire week without publishing a headline on thuggery. There are many different groups operating within the country, all of which were established and are being kept alive by politicians prior to, during, and after elections with the intention of intimidating, harassing, distorting, and carrying out any other activities that would give party candidates a political advantage over their opponents. Therefore, the study seeks to examine the problems of thuggery during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State.

1. 1. Statement Of The Problem

It cannot be disputed that thuggery actions took place in Nigeria before, during, and after the 2023 general elections. This is a reality that cannot be disputed. The actions of thugs represent a significant danger to national security, which, if not adequately handled, has the potential to deteriorate into a breakdown of law and order and, as a consequence, to work to undermine the nation's democratic system (John, 2023). The important thing to take away from this is that thuggery, when considered in this environment, is a phenomena that is antagonistic to the idea that the general elections in Lagos state in 2023 would be carried out in an orderly fashion. It is an act, the repercussions of which throw question on the mandate that was praised by certain political office holders. Hence, the study seeks to look into the problems of thuggery during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State.

1. 1. Objectives Of The Study

The broad objective of the study is to examine the problems of thuggery during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State. The specific objectives is as follows:

1. To find out factors that led to thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State.

2. To investigate the effect of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections on residents of Lagos state.

3. To examine the consequences of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections.

4. To assess how thuggery affect the nation’s democratic development and security.

1. 1. Research Questions

The following questions have been prepared for the study

1. What are the factors that led to thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State?

2. What are the effect of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections on residents of Lagos state?

3. What are the consequences of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections?

4. how does thuggery affect the nation’s democratic development and security?

1. 1. Significance Of The Study

The study will be significant to the security agents as they will be exposed to the challenges voters face during and after an election. The findings of the study will also expose security agents on how to go about their duty and how to ensure that the lives and property of electorate are secured.

The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1. 1. Scope Of The Study

The study will find out factors that led to thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections in Lagos State. The study will also investigate the effect of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections on residents of Lagos state. Lastly, the study will examine the consequences of thuggery activities during the Nigeria 2023 presidential elections. Hence, the study is delimited to Lagos State.

1. 1. Limitations Of The Study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8 Definition Of Terms

Thuggery: violent behaviour, especially of a criminal nature.

Electoral outcome: The outcome of an activity, process, or situation is the situation that exists at the end.