Elections and Violence in Nigeria's Fourth Republic: Taking stock of violent Acts in the 2015 General Elections
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Date
2015
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Volume Title
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Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social Science, University of Ilorin
Abstract
Nigeria's post colonial experience as regards the conduct of democratic elections has been particularly turbulent. With the exemption of a few, particularly the 1993 presidential elections, other elections held were characterised by electoral violence. The 2015 general elections generated tensions and controversies more than any other elections held in the Fourth Republic. Only a few did not anticipate the occurrence of post election violence. This papaer examined 2015 general elections with the aim of documenting violent acts perpetrated before, during and after the election. Generating data majorly from secondary sources, this paper argued that hate speech, campaign of calumny, corruption, the domino effect of the Boko Haram insurgency, among others, are among the major drivers of violence in the 2015 general elections. It is submitted however, that recurrent electoral violence has grievous implications for the democratic process. It is however, concluded that the creation of a sound legal framework, to try politicians who indulge in hate speech, fortification of the data security apparatus, provision of employment opportunities, among others, will assist in reducing if not curb the occurrence of violence in Nigeria's future elections.
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Keywords
elections, violence, Nigeria, Bokoharam, insurgency, fourth republic
Citation
APA Style