A Tale of Defective Democracy: De-Democratisation in Nigeria
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Patrick Agbedejobi
Abstract
In the field of democratic studies, scholarly attention has shifted away from democratisation and democratic consolidation studies to conceptualising and operationalising democratic backsliding. The notion of democratic backsliding is putatively regarded as a useful and well-understood concept in the annals of democratic research. Democratic backsliding, as a notion, is familiar in Western democratic research with the likes of consolidated democracies under investigation in the United States of America and the central and eastern European countries, especially in the United Kingdom and Italy. Nevertheless, despite this significant shift in research scope, most African countries’ experience of democratic backsliding remains under-researched. The starting point of this article is a reference to Nigeria’s democratic turmoil and challenges during the Fourth Republic. In other words, this article will investigate the declining nature of Nigeria’s fourth attempt at democratic governance. This will be undertaken via adaptation of Merkel et al.’s concept of democracy, composed of three dimensions - vertical legitimacy, horizontal accountability alongside the rule of law, and effective government. The chapter will specifically examine Nigeria’s current democratic status under President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of de-democratisation.
Abstract
In the field of democratic studies, scholarly attention has shifted away from democratisation and democratic consolidation studies to conceptualising and operationalising democratic backsliding. The notion of democratic backsliding is putatively regarded as a useful and well-understood concept in the annals of democratic research. Democratic backsliding, as a notion, is familiar in Western democratic research with the likes of consolidated democracies under investigation in the United States of America and the central and eastern European countries, especially in the United Kingdom and Italy. Nevertheless, despite this significant shift in research scope, most African countries’ experience of democratic backsliding remains under-researched. The starting point of this article is a reference to Nigeria’s democratic turmoil and challenges during the Fourth Republic. In other words, this article will investigate the declining nature of Nigeria’s fourth attempt at democratic governance. This will be undertaken via adaptation of Merkel et al.’s concept of democracy, composed of three dimensions - vertical legitimacy, horizontal accountability alongside the rule of law, and effective government. The chapter will specifically examine Nigeria’s current democratic status under President Muhammadu Buhari in terms of de-democratisation.
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Foreword VII
- Table of Contents IX
- List of Abbreviations XI
- Map of Nigeria XV
- Introduction: Interrogating Democratisation Deficits in Nigeria From the 2019 General Election 1
- Political Parties, Political Opposition and Elections: Towards Consolidating Democracy in Nigeria 13
- The Silent Western Votes and the Emergence of the Buhari/APC Presidency 33
- Ruling and Opposition Parties’ Reactions to External Interference in the 2019 Presidential Election 55
- A Tale of Defective Democracy: De-Democratisation in Nigeria 73
- INEC, the Electoral Process and the Conduct of Elections in 2019 91
- Murdering Their Consciences, ‘Right to Vote’ and Ethno-Political Conflict in Lagos during the 2019 General Election 109
- Thuggery and Election Violence in the 2019 Election 131
- Electoral Politics and Violence in Taraba State 149
- The Security Implications of Election-related Violence in Nigeria and the Way Forward 173
- The Challenges of Election Security in Nigeria: A Study of the 2019 General Election 195
- Beyond the 2019 General Election: Critical Lessons for Nigeria’s Democratic Experiment 215
- Appendix: Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2019 General Elections Independent National Electoral Commission 235
- List of Authors 239
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Acknowledgements V
- Foreword VII
- Table of Contents IX
- List of Abbreviations XI
- Map of Nigeria XV
- Introduction: Interrogating Democratisation Deficits in Nigeria From the 2019 General Election 1
- Political Parties, Political Opposition and Elections: Towards Consolidating Democracy in Nigeria 13
- The Silent Western Votes and the Emergence of the Buhari/APC Presidency 33
- Ruling and Opposition Parties’ Reactions to External Interference in the 2019 Presidential Election 55
- A Tale of Defective Democracy: De-Democratisation in Nigeria 73
- INEC, the Electoral Process and the Conduct of Elections in 2019 91
- Murdering Their Consciences, ‘Right to Vote’ and Ethno-Political Conflict in Lagos during the 2019 General Election 109
- Thuggery and Election Violence in the 2019 Election 131
- Electoral Politics and Violence in Taraba State 149
- The Security Implications of Election-related Violence in Nigeria and the Way Forward 173
- The Challenges of Election Security in Nigeria: A Study of the 2019 General Election 195
- Beyond the 2019 General Election: Critical Lessons for Nigeria’s Democratic Experiment 215
- Appendix: Timetable and Schedule of Activities for 2019 General Elections Independent National Electoral Commission 235
- List of Authors 239
