The Security Implications of Election-related Violence in Nigeria and the Way Forward
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Obinna Ukaeje
Abstract
Election-related violence in Nigeria has become a serious security challenge, which the country needs to overcome to achieve its true potential. This is because of the fear, tension, deaths and other humanitarian catastrophes that characterized it. Although election-related violence has been a recurring feature since Nigeria’s First Republic, the frequency and intensity of the violence displayed and the ethno-religious and regional dimensions it has assumed in the current Fourth Republic (1999 till date) have become alarming making it a big threat to national security. Not only do citizens bear the brunt of the violence, the knock-on effects to the credibility of Nigeria’s political process cannot be ignored. It is in this light that this chapter critically evaluates election-related violence in Nigeria with the aim of articulating strategic measures for containing it so that future elections in the country are conducted in the most peaceful atmosphere.
Abstract
Election-related violence in Nigeria has become a serious security challenge, which the country needs to overcome to achieve its true potential. This is because of the fear, tension, deaths and other humanitarian catastrophes that characterized it. Although election-related violence has been a recurring feature since Nigeria’s First Republic, the frequency and intensity of the violence displayed and the ethno-religious and regional dimensions it has assumed in the current Fourth Republic (1999 till date) have become alarming making it a big threat to national security. Not only do citizens bear the brunt of the violence, the knock-on effects to the credibility of Nigeria’s political process cannot be ignored. It is in this light that this chapter critically evaluates election-related violence in Nigeria with the aim of articulating strategic measures for containing it so that future elections in the country are conducted in the most peaceful atmosphere.
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
