Electoral Violence: The Biggest Challenge To Nigeria’s Democratic System

 

By Praise Ben

Since its independence in 1960, Nigeria’s electoral history and democratic development have frequently contained ‘violence’. The time leading up to, during, and following elections always sees an escalation of different forms of this threatening act across the nation.

The country’s electoral body, the Independent National Electoral Commission, has already begun to sound the alarm in advance of the February and March 2023 elections.

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Speaking to political parties approximately a week ago, the Commission advised them to conduct ‘peaceful’ and ‘violent-free’ campaigns and rallies.

But has this alone deterred citizens from engaging in “the usual” electoral violence?

There is no definitive answer to this question; electoral violence is still rampant, ranging from campaign disruptions to convoy attacks, with presidential contenders bearing the brunt.

Atiku, the People’s Democratic Party’s presidential candidate and one of the most promising prospects for the presidential seat in the 2023 general election, was recently a victim of this heinous deed. Thugs disrupted his campaign in Gombe and attacked his convoy in Borno, hurting numerous supporters and destroying valuable properties.

It was also reported earlier this year that ‘hoodlums’ attacked the convoy of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu, in Lagos, injuring two people.

We can also recall the attack on the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Lagos State, Jandor, which was carried out while the perpetrators were yelling ‘APC’.

Electoral violence is one of the reasons why some people avoid politics and why it is referred to as a “dirty game.”

Nigeria has been under a democratic system for 23 years, with six general elections and four democratic presidents. According to research conducted by ‘HumAngle,’ approximately 1,500 persons have died as a result of electoral violence from 1999 to 2019, aside from those injured and others that lost valuables in the process.

Are citizens alone to blame for this heinous crime?

The Inspection General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, while speaking on the same issue some days ago, stated categorically that some state governors are to be blamed for the political intolerance and disruption of the electoral processes we experience in the country.

He said; “They deploy their powers and influences to either prevent the mounting of campaign billboards or pull them down, while also denying political opponents of spaces to undertake their campaigns or peaceful political congregations.”

“Most of the recorded incidents of violence often result from political extremism, misinformation, intolerance, wrong political orientation, hate speeches, incitement, and, most importantly, the desperation of strategic actors within the political field.”

This shows that officials in “high places” are also to blame. However, civilians are always left to do the “dirty work.” Electoral violence cannot occur unless civilians participate.

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The federal government must learn to educate the public about the hazards of this act and why it should be avoided at all costs. Actions must also be taken against the governors who are supposedly sponsoring it.

Praise Ben writes for Eko Hot Blog. This media platform reserves all rights to this article.

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