Political Violence and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria: A focus on the 2019 and 2023 General Elections
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Date
2023-12
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Politics and Administrative Studies (AJPAS)
Abstract
Abstract
Overtime, election has been the most controversial aspect of Nigeria’s democracy as it includes
activities for choosing amongst individuals for the leadership and representative role in the
country. Leadership seats have always been a contest and a battle that most individuals pursue.
The political space of Nigeria therefore has always been characterized by violence which is
usually being employed for political gains, ethno-religious vices and destabilization of the
democratic processes. The research studies the various reasons for the continuous violence in
Nigeria’s electoral processes, its impacts on the electoral processes and largely on the democratic
consolidation of the country. The paper employed the descriptive analysis method in analyzing
the causes and impact level of political violence. The paper asserted that the ethnic and religious
volatility plays a great role in the ensuing of violence in the last election, as the election was
viewed as an election amongst individuals of ethnic groups. The researchers therefore, suggest
that principle of federal character can reduce political violence and make for democratic
consolidation in Nigeria.
Keywords: Election, Violence, Democracy, Ethnicity and Religions.