ADDRESSING ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN NORTHEAST NIGERIA: ANALYZING CAUSES AND PROPOSING SOLUTIONS

Abstract

Elections conducted in many developing democracies, including those in Africa and Nigeria, face serious challenges. Elections, as a mechanism for the regular and periodic change of government are often accompanied by substantial violence. This poses a hindrance to the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria. This paper examines the causes of electoral violence in North East Nigeria. The study adopted a survey research design and employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. Nwana (2005) formula was used to determine the sample size as well as Bourley (1964) proportional distribution formula to allocate samples among the participants in the 3 states under Study, Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba. Frustration and Aggression theory was used to explain the causes of violence. The results revealed that violence has been significant in Nigerian elections. Politicians rig, manipulate and falsify election results, which trigger electoral violence. Unsettled ethnic, tribal, religious conflicts, poverty, ignorance and unemployment cause electoral violence. The unchecked proliferation of arms also contributes to election related violence. This paper recommends that free fair and credible elections, increase security, punishment for perpetrators of electoral violence, and increase INEC capacity as means of preventing violence in future elections. Furthermore, it is recommended that the Judiciary must strictly apply the rule of law in adjudication of election related cases. The government on the other hand should provide jobs and employments to the youths. Increase political orientation among the citizens should also be priortised. The government should also address the issues of money politics and thuggery during elections and ban politicians involved in political violence.