Breaking the cycle of electoral violence in nigeria united states. Lesson for 2015 general election osimen goddy uwa, ologunowa christopher sunday department of political science and international relations, achievers university, owo, nigeria i. Such violence could also be a post election phenomenon which comes consequent on the manipulation of election results, rejection of results, etc. Apr 20, 2011 riots that broke out in northern nigeria in protest of the results of saturdays presidential elections have claimed 121 lives, while hundreds of people were injured and 15,000 have fled their homes. The role of the courts in mitigating election violence in nigeria. Preventing electoral violence through enhancing security. Best run, but most violent summary nigerias 2011 general election received high praise for being wellmanaged. This research will give an indepth analysis of the 2015 polls in nigeria. Nigerian presidential vote is extended amid glitches and. Commission nhrc, electionrelated violence killed 58 people between december 2014 and february 2015.
Thus, electoral violence has proved to be nigerias harbinger of national instability as unabated festering irregularities that manifest at different stages of election subject almost all nigerias election below the minimum democracy standard. The following factors are responsible for electoral violence in nigeria. This article identifies poverty, a culture of impunity, weak penalties, a lack of effective governance, and small arms proliferation, amongst others. Apr 24, 2011 post election violence in northern nigeria. In all, credible observers ascribe over twelve thousand deaths since 1999 to ethnic, religious, and regional conflict in. President muhammdu buhari on tuesday named bisi adegbuyi, a lawyer and politician from ogun state, as the new postmaster general and ceo of nigeria postal services, nipost.
In 20, the nigeria stability and reconciliation programme conducted research on the post electoral violence in northern nigeria that accompanied the announcement of the 2011 presidential election results. Identifying hotspots in the 2011 general elections in nigeria a report submitted to national association for peaceful elections in nigeria napen, abuja, nigeria. The april elections were heralded as among the fairest in nigerias history, but they also were among the bloodiest, said corinne dufka, senior west africa researcher at human rights watch. Photo gallery a look at nigerias 2015 general elections nigerias 2015 general elections were widely.
Babangida insisted that honest elections take place, and nigerians conducted on june 12, 1993, perhaps the best election since the last. Electoral violence and the survival of democracy in nigeria. Background of the study within the context of a complete break away from one party and military dictatorships, african countries dived into competitive multiparty elections since the 1990s. Yesterday, the elections for governors were not held in kaduna and bauchi, two states in the upper north of nigeria considered to be major flashpoints of.
The importance, how to, effect causes relationship, comparison, history, role, solutions are discussed. Volume 5 issue 3 284 j pol sci pub aff, an open access journal issn. If nigerias elections devolve into violence or result in deep political division, the financial engine of west africa will slow. Postelection violence killed 800 human rights watch. Contestants in nigeria can go to any length to rig and win elections even if it means to break the states. Origins and response the april 2011 elections were considered to be one of nigerias fairest polls. Electoral violence and the survival of democracy in. At this stage of nigerias political development, elections. Using round 4 afrobaromter survey data from 20 african countries in. Yesterday, the elections for governors were not held in kaduna and bauchi, two states in the upper north of nigeria considered to be major flashpoints of the violence that came on the heels of. Electoral violence and 2015 general elections in nigeria. This nding stands in contrast with those of dellavigna and kaplan 2007 and dahl and dellavigna 2009, who study the perception and behavioral e. Churches and mosques were torched, their skeletal remains still scattered across the state. Background of the study within the context of a complete break away from one party and military dictatorships, african countries dived into competitive multiparty.
Electoral malpractices in nigeria electoral malpractices is the failing of all electoral institutions or bodies to carry out election in the proper or professional way it is supposed to be done. Hopefully, pdps rejection of the results doesnt trigger post election violence, but, even so, the next flashpoints to watch are the upcoming governorship election. Nigeria faced widespread violence resulting in the deaths of 200 people. Using data on electoral violence during the 2015 and 2019 nigerian elections. Nigeria s election history has always been marred by various levels of violence at the pre, during and post election phases, with high consequences including deaths, displacement and destruction of livelihood as was witnessed in the 2011 general elections. Causes of electoral violence in africa written by ngah gabriel sous dir. The recent 2016 post election crisis in gabon12 that left scores dead seems to shows that electoral violence is an intractable phenomenon on the continent. Nigeria braces for postelection violence and bloodshed.
Arguably, the most prominent and visible form of violence, physical electoral violence has remained a recurring theme in the five general election. Riots that broke out in northern nigeria in protest of the results of saturdays presidential elections have claimed 121 lives, while hundreds of people were injured and 15,000 have fled their homes. Violence occurs in a slight majority of elections held in subsaharan africa. Physical election violence including physical attack, resulting into assault. United states agency predicts electoral violence in. Pdf appraisal of the 2019 postelectoral violence in nigeria. No to preelection violence the guardian nigeria news. He has been part of multidisciplinary research teams on subjects as diverse as the assessment of electoral systems and.
It also looks at the effects of instability and violence in nigerian society and proffers a number of. Introduction the problem of postelection violence seems to be evermore present as complexities of nationbuilding and. The importance, how to, effect causes relationship. Nigerias election history has always been marred by various levels of violence at the pre, during and post election phases, with high consequences including deaths, displacement and destruction of livelihood as was witnessed in the 2011 general elections. But postelection violence claimed 800 lives over three days in northern nigeria and displaced 65,000 people. Death toll in preelection violence underscores nigerias. Dr nwolise is senior lecturer in the department of political science. Abstract the nigerian state is not alien to electoral violence which can be traced as far back as the pre independence elections. Hrw urged nigeria to promptly investigate the violence and prosecute the perpetrators. We issued a policy brief detailing the key causes, lessons learned and policy implications. Electoral violence in the first republic of nigerias civil democratic realities showcases a nation in absolute hostage situation. Nigerias elections promise a genuine contest but avoiding unrest is vital.
Postelection assessment of conflict prevention and. Mar 27, 2015 4 reasons you should care about nigerias election. Effects of electoral violence on nigeria democracy project. Introduction the problem of post election violence seems to be evermore present as complexities of nationbuilding and. Nigerian voters to oppose electoral violence was successful in reducing the perception of local violence and in encouraging empowerment. The federal parliamentary election campaign in december 1964the first since independencewas contested by two political alliances incorporating all the major parties. Aug 28, 2016 the april 24 2005 togo presidential election triggered off political violence resulting to the outflow of togolese refugees to the neighboring countries of ghana and benin bamgbose, 2009. Violence occurs during every election in nigeria and at all stages, from preelection to election day to postelection, says bamiji oyebode, a lecturer in peace studies and conflict resolution at the national open university of nigeria. We recall with sadness the attacks on security forces. Nigeria braces for post election violence and bloodshed. In 20, the nigeria stability and reconciliation programme conducted research on the postelectoral violence in northern nigeria that accompanied the announcement of the 2011 presidential election results.
In the last election, in 2011, more than 900 people died in bombings, mob violence and other incidents. A nurse tends to a victim of post election violence at st gerards hospital in kaduna, nigeria. However, for elections to be termed democratic, it must be free and fair. As the noose tightens on the necks of the deadly corrupt from the defeated party, it comes harder. O abiola and alhaji bashir tofa17election, election result and annulment of june. Nigerias 2015 presidential election was the fifth in a row since the military left the political scene in 1999. A nurse tends to a victim of postelection violence at st gerards hospital in kaduna, nigeria. Postelection violence in nigeria killed 800, says human. More than 200 people were brought to the hospital, and at least 20 died.
Nigerias 2011 polls will mark the fourth multiparty election in nigeria and, if a power. Parliament, political parties, civil society organizations, institutional development especially of the parliament. Nigeria, systems of government, electionsvoting, violence, executive. The link between electoral violence and nigerias 2003 and 2007 elections is analysed based on hoglunds analytical framework of electoral violence, as well as its applicability to the nigerian political situation. The most recent example is the postelection violence that occurred in kenya in 20072008 between the kikuyus and luos and many other socalled. Electoral corruption and fraud, furthermore, the following could serve as incentives for electoral violence in nigeria. Some 69 million voters across nigeria are heading to the polls today march 28 to choose their new president. An empirical examination of existing theories gregory wallsworth october 28, 2015 abstract recent studies of election violence in africa found violence mars as many as 80 percent of african elections. Pdp which has been the ruling party since 1999 faced its toughest opposition in apc which was formed on february 6, 20 with the merger of action congress of nigeria.
Electoral violence in nigeria council on foreign relations. The post electoral violence recorded during the general election is one of the. Indeed, according to the cleen foundation, violence has been a feature of the countrys electoral process since the colonial era alemka 2011. Causes of electoral violence in africa written by ngah. The april 24 2005 togo presidential election triggered off political violence resulting to the outflow of togolese refugees to the neighboring countries of ghana and benin bamgbose, 2009. Arguably, the most prominent and visible form of violence, physical electoral violence has remained a recurring theme in the five general election in nigeria since the reintroduction of multiparty. Nigerias economic development, based on a close relationship with communistled china, is a clear illustration of this. The upcoming presidential elections may be nigerias closest contest to date, with the field of serious candidates narrowed for the first time to the standardbearers of two major political.
Jan 16, 2015 nigerias elections promise a genuine contest but avoiding unrest is vital. Mar 28, 2015 after the last presidential election, in 2011, kaduna was devoured by violence that killed hundreds. Nigerias elections promise a genuine contest but avoiding. Introduction nigeria s next general elections, the fifth since 1999, are scheduled for 14 and 28 february 2015. The 2011 elections in northern nigeria postelectoral violence. The guide on factors of electionrelated violence internal to electoral processes. Politics and election in ondo state5endnotes12chapter two. As nigeria becomes more aware of its ability to assert itself, the wall street imperialists do not aim to reconquer and rebuild. We will not blame anyone or wait for anyone opposition, we believe that a righteous pathway will deliver the best results and that buhari is on this. Electoral violence was to rear its head again during nigeria. Journal of nigeria studies volume 1, number 1, fall 2010. Incidence of electoral violence in nigeria the incidence of electoral violence in nigeria is as plethora as they are intimidating. The link between electoral violence and nigerias 2003 and 2007 elections is analysed based on hoglunds analytical framework of electoral violence, as well as its.
Sep 21, 2010 babangida insisted that honest elections take place, and nigerians conducted on june 12, 1993, perhaps the best election since the last election took place under british auspices in 1959. Findings conducted by united states institute of peace usip on electoral violence risk assessment in nigeria have suggested possible escalation of. The most recent example is the post election violence that occurred in kenya in 20072008 between the kikuyus and luos and many other socalled tribes. Postmortem reactions or elite conspiracy the violence that greeted the announcement of president goodluck ebale jonathan by the independent national. Get free research paper on effects of electoral violence on nigeria democracy 2007 2011 a case study of south west our project topics and materials are suitable for students in nigeria with case studies. Election violence worsens nigerias tainted democracy. Election related violence according to ladan 2006 could be categorised into physical and psychological. Caleb maupin is a political analyst and activist based in new york. Past election cycles have featured political assassinations, voter intimidation, intra and. Presidential elections, incumbency, opposition, inec. For the purpose of clarity, the paper focuses on the manifestations of election violence in nigerian political process. After the last presidential election, in 2011, kaduna was devoured by violence that killed hundreds. Most of the violence occurred after the election, as the results of the presidential poll began to become.
Electoral violence in nigeria summary nigerias 2011 polls will mark the fourth multiparty election in nigeria and, if a power transfer occurs, only the second handover of civilian administrations since the countrys return to democracy in 1999. Postelection violence in nigeria violence has spread across parts of northern nigeria, following the victory of the incumbent, goodluck jonathan, in the. Dakar deadly electionrelated and communal violence in northern nigeria following the april 2011 presidential voting left more than 800 people dead, human rights watch said today. The military and the nigerian societybackground to june 12 election of 199314the emergence of chief m. It is incredible to imagine the kind of leader that will emerge from elections marred by violence. Violence occurs during every election in nigeria and at all stages, from pre election to election day to post election, says bamiji oyebode, a lecturer in peace studies and conflict resolution at the national open university of nigeria.
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