By Prince Fater Audu

As it is the case in several parts of the world, the outcome of elections largely defines the state of things within the political, and socio-economic dimensions of a nation. More so, the credibility of the electioneering process itself determines the general level of political stability, and to an extent, the sentimental satisfaction of the masses. Nigeria as a sovereign state is no stranger to this intrinsic merit of democracy, neither are the accompanying repercussions of allowing this sacred process to snowball off the margins of rationality into the domain of political rascality new to her. Put differently, since the first republic, the electoral process in Nigeria has been flooded with questions regarding credibility, some of which, history gives account of their eventual entanglement in thickets of civil unrest and political turmoil.

Yet again, as the country’s general elections draws closer, political parties across the nation are relentlessly galvanizing efforts to come out triumphant at the polls. This quest to man the fore of leadership at different levels of government in 2023, has in the same manner as previous times, subjected the spectrum of ideologies and manifestoes held by these political parties to the ultimate test of public scrutiny and approval, reclining on antecedent success and failure as reference points for justification. This influx of political activities have once again divided the country along party lines and candidates, hence, giving rise to series of accusations and counter-accusations. These accusing fingers are being pointed on grounds relating to poor performance [mostly for incumbent political parties and candidates], lack of capacity to lead, and a host of others. This similar pattern of bickering has over the years, since the return to democratic rule in 1999, birthed the electoral litanies of the masses from every corner of Nigeria, and the suppressed groans of those gagged by their presence in high places. This stream of opinions in itself is not bad, as it is yet another visible evidence of democracy in the country. However, the level of action taken to back it up over the years has been feeble.

Basically, for the ruling APC, the target is to retain power in the majority of political positions available, especially in the presidential race; the bandwagon of opposition parties spearheaded by the PDP on the other hand are bent on ousting the ruling party out. As political campaigns, consultations, and other pre-election activities comes to a close, one can only hope for a smooth electoral process.

In a web of a consistent, historic, and implausible electoral culture inherited from past generations, we cannot go to the other end and pretend that covert strategies to enhance triumph at the polls would also not be part of the activities in this phase. Since the return of the country to civilian rule in 1999, the six general elections that have been conducted have been plagued with varying degrees of controversies.

I dare not state that the controversies have not been without some germ of truth – that will be hypocritical. Although some of these controversial issues have been subjected to litigation by electoral tribunals and courts, most of such grounds do not tell well on the model of democracy in practice within the country. Vote buying, thuggery, falsification of figures, under-age voting, and several other forms of electoral malpractices have spanned the spectrum of grievances that follows the conduct of every election conducted within these years of democratic rule. Instituting this electoral culture is among many other reasons, why Nigeria is still struggling to find her bearing as a democratic state.

The realisation of the harm electoral malpractices does to the progress of a country is the first step in defining a realistic roadmap for national growth and development. An understanding of this fact is the thin line that separates democracy from anarchy, justice from injustice, and chaos from order. In occidental climes, where the fetishism of democracy is deep-rooted, the understanding of the high stakes of elections to the overall well-being of the state commands a strict maintenance of credibility in the process. The recorded streak of interferences with the electoral process in Nigeria since 1999 is reminiscent of those years of military dictatorship when the wishes of the masses were overwhelmed by the brute of military force. The only difference now is that the verdict of the masses is tweaked in a more subtle manner.

No where in the world has the conduct of an utopian election been reported, neither has electoral malpractice and violence been employed anywhere to consolidate democracy and foster national growth. Leadership gained without the consent of the masses does not escape the domino effect of failure. The utter disregard for an important democratic process such as elections do not only rob a government of legitimacy, but also eclipses accountability, both of whom are a necessary recipe for progress. It will be hypocritical to completely deny the veracity of several reports of malpractices and violence alleged to have being carried out during elections over the years in Nigeria. The normalisation of this ill political culture will not augur well with our democracy if it continues to thrive.

Hence, a modest survey of history would only vindicate this generation if the brakes to electoral malpractice and violence are pumped, and a new political climate where credible and violence-free elections is closely embraced. We cannot continue striding in this direction as a nation and expect our democracy to survive the test of time. This time around, Nigeria’s triumph song should be that of Emperor Julius Caesar’s, after his victory over Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela – Veni, Vidi, Vici – I came, I saw, I conquered – in our case, we conquered electoral malpractice and violence, and all that comes with it.

Written by: Prince Fater Audu

Faculty of Law, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

In case of any comment or advice, he can be reached via email, pfateraudu@gmail.com