CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
The insignificance activities, sequel to the attainment of political independence in the 1960 in Nigeria were indeed inimical to the expectations of the great nationalists, who took the pain to secure the political independence.
According to Coleman (1958), the emergent politics that rolled down to the path of electoral engineering in Nigeria from the wake of independence wore the aura of infirmity. Albeit such derailment became highly influential in the post-colonial era, the events that took place in the late 1940s, especially the formation of ethnic-based political parties offered much to the new development. Since the inception of election, elections in Nigeria democratic experience, the country have continued to endure turbulent electoral atmosphere with accompanying tension, the heightened tension created by competition for public offices has exacerbated existing conflict and also created new ones.
Bieneu (1968) maintained that the resultant problems manifested in all spheres of Nigeria’s social, economic and political life, thus giving impetus to political violence. To this effect, political violence is therefore studied in its multiple dimensions. Such endemic trend have in fact, manifested itself as a monumental phenomena.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
This study is an attempt to investigate the effect of political violence on Nigerian democracy especially during the 2015 presidential election, this is because, some of the elections conducted in Nigeria recently are said to be massively rigged couple with political violence and fraud across the states of Nigeria.
Political violence as a social phenomenon which has largely prevailed in our political system is a trend which government must attempt to control if not completely abated. This study is therefore born out of the realization of the apparent invincibility of political violence in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The study sought to know the effect of political violence on Nigerian voters. Specifically, the study sought to;
1. To identify and explain factors responsible for political violence as experienced in 2015 presidential general election in Nigeria.
2. To determine the role of political parties in perpetuating political violence in Nigeria’s electoral system.
3. To find remedies for the persistent political violence during general elections in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
The study will proffer answers to the following questions;
1. What is the effect of political violence as experienced in 2015 presidential general election in Nigeria?
2. What are the factors responsible for political violence as experienced in elections during 2015 general elections in Nigeria?
3. What is the role of political parties in perpetuating political violence in Nigeria’s voters?
4. What remedies are available for the persistent political violence during general elections in Nigeria?
1.5 Significance of the Study
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this topic or other related topics and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their work.
1.7 Scope/Limitations of the Study
This study is on the effect of political violence on Nigeria democracy.
Limitations of study
1. Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
2. Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Election: An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office
Political violence: The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) defines political violenceas any harm or threat of harm to any person or property involved in the election process, or the process itself, during the election period.
Democracy: A government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections
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