ELECTIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF 2007 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

ELECTIONS AND THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF 2007 GENERAL ELECTIONS.

Authors

  • AULE ORAVEE, PhD.
  • USMAN MUSA

Keywords:

Election, Democracy, Politics, Democratic Consolidation, Political Parties, Electoral Malpractice

Abstract

Elections are conducted to select leaders o f organizations as well as leaders of Local, State
and National Governments. During the exercise, electorates have the opportunity to choose
between contestants, because authority of the government is derived from the consent of the
governed. The mechanism for obtaining and translating the consent of the electorate into
government is through holding genuinely democratic election. This paper among other
objectives attempted to know why elections have not consolidated democracy in Nigeria, and
as well ascertained the causes and effects of electoral malpractices on democratic
consolidation. Secondary data was the source of information for the paper. It was discovered
that democratic consolidation has been a mirage in the nation because of electoral
malpractices, unstable political climate characterized by inordinate desire of incumbent
leaders to sit tight on their positions, imposition of candidates on the people, clashes of egos
and poor leadership, among other factors. The study therefore, recommended strict adherence
to free and. fair electoral practices to ensure democratic consolidation, promotion of
leadership by example, creation of job opportunities to mop up idle youths who engage in
violence, and enthronement of the culture of political debate between candidates seeking for
votesin order to promote political tolerance.

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Published

2023-08-08

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