DOCSLIB.ORG

Intra-Party Primaries in Nigeria's Democratization Process

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018;3:30 Research Article AJERR 2018,3:30 American Journal of Educational Research and Reviews (ISSN:2474-9265) Intra-Party Primaries in Nigeria’s Democratization Process: a Historical Assessment S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola2 1Department of History and International Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria; 2Ph.D Student, Department of History and International Studies, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria ABSTRACT The sprouting character of Nigerian politics from the last quarter *Correspondence to Author: of the colonial period to the present is reflected in the changing Oluwaseun Samuel OsadolaPh.D character of her party politics. Thus, from the ratification of re- Student, Department of History and gionalism by Author Richards in 1946 through the short period International Studies, Ekiti State during the First Republic lasted, two foremost factors shaped the University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Ni- character of intra-party relations/politics: ethno-religious and, to geria a lesser extent, some feigning of ideological commitment. One of the main features of a political party is its ability not only to contest and win elections, but also to conduct internal elections How to cite this article: among its various contestants with the aim of selecting the most S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun suitable candidate that will serve the interest of the party. How- Sam-uel Osadola. Intra-Party ever, several issues have risen as a result of primary elections Prima-ries in Nigeria’s among the political parties in Nigeria which has not only affected Democratization Process: a the political party itself, but as well ruin the smooth running of Historical Assessment. American democracy in the country. This paper historically assesses in- Journal of Educational Research tra-party primaries in Nigeria’s Democratic process. It questioned and Reviews, 2018,3:30. the nexus between democracy, party primaries, intra-party con- flict and law based union in Nigeria. This paper made use of both primary and secondary data. eSciPub LLC, Houston, TX USA. Keywords: Intra-party, Primary Elections, Democracy, Nigeria Website: http://escipub.com/ http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-educational-research-and-reviews/ 0001 S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018; 3:30 INTRODUCTION: Historical Background of the endeavors by surviving experts in characterizing the term stress the centrality of Man as articulated by Socrates is a social individuals (the greater part) in the creature. This suggests the gregarious idea of administration of the state (Obi and Oddih, man severely dislikes in all implications 2006;36). Radiator, (1964:134) recommended segregated life. Thusly, man needs to live in that democracy isn't just a type of government politically sorted out enclave that is guided by yet a lifestyle or a state of mind of the brain. laws. This is basic in view of the Subsequently he went further to assert that unquenchability and apparently narrow minded democracy is „essentially a technique for nature of man. In any case, when we watch the sorting out society politically‟. It is an life of men around us, we can't neglect to be arrangement of administration in which the struck by two realities: generally speaking, each rulers are considered responsible for their man wants to have his own particular manner, activities in general society domain by natives to think and goes about as he prefers; and in acting in a roundabout way through the the meantime, everybody can't have his own opposition and participation of their chose specific manner, since he lives in the public agents. arena, where one man's wants conflict with those of another. The relations of the Amidst twentieth century and by and by, the call individuals from society with each other, in this for opportunity and democracy are echoes over manner, require direction by government the globe. The world has seen incredible move (Appadorai, 2004:3). The Nigerian political from tyrant style of administration to popularity circumstance and life isn't removing from the based manage, even in Islamic states in which above. Drawing from the above composition there convention and method for lifestyle favors identifying with the need and the substance of monarchical and socialist arrangement of principles and directions managing political and government. The reality still remain that state is open life, government is framed. This never again keen on associating with other administration comprises of a collection of state where democracy isn't practiced. As people that decide. In a perfect world, the Adetoye (2010) had appropriately contended, choices should be in light of a legitimate the underlying opponents of democracy are concern for the general masses. Basically, what presently battle to supplant the socialist of constitutes the body, the systems and yesteryears with another democracy. It at that procedures by which the laws are figured point takes after that any nation burning of unsettled the psyches of the political pertinence inside the world framework must be rationalists, regardless of whether by the viewed as law based consistence (Omotola, congregations of the older folks (gerontocracy), 2008:184). the board of trustees of the well off (plutocracy), The confirmation of above demonstrates that the nobles (gentry), the specialists countries in this day and age offered (technocracy), and the general people unmistakable quality to vote based framework. (democracy). This last type of political course of African states are not forgotten in this action gives off an impression of being the best improvement. However, contention in some type of government (Okonkwo, 2015). writing demonstrates that the purposes behind Etymologically, the word democracy is gotten supporting democracy in Africa, particularly from two Greek words "demos" which signifies Nigeria, don't reflect Western observation. "individuals" and "cracy" which signifies "run" or Along these lines, African takes a gander at "government", truly "importance administer by democracy in economic terms than political the general population" in any case, every one philosophy (Saliu, 1999:199). The worldwide http://escipub.com/american-journal-of-educational-research-and-reviews/ 0002 S. O. Soetana and Oluwaseun Samuel Osadola, AJERR, 2018; 3:30 acknowledgment of democracy in the end party structures and leadership, as well as cleared path for the re-birth of majority rule partisan alignments and re-alignments among government in Nigeria on May 29, 1999. the party faithful around the attendant parallel This paper is adapted towards questioning the party platforms. To stress further, Okoli nexus between democracy, party primaries, (2001:3) enumerated factors that are intra-party conflict and law based union in responsible for intra-party opposition as follows: Nigeria. It is against this foundation that this Personality difference, clash of socio-economic paper is worried about the connection between interests, ideological incompatibility, etc, among democracy, party primaries and intra political politicians. Adding to the above is the party's emergency in Nigeria and the degree of contextual pathologies of (party) politics in party's commitment to the survival of Nigeria, among which are: democracy in Nigeria. 1. The Hobbesian character of politics CONCEPTUALIZATION where struggle for state power is seen as a „do or die‟ affair; in this context, politics Basic terms related to this paper will be incidentally becomes a crude warfare. examined based on scholarly contributions and analyses. Terms like Intra-party Conflict, 2. Internal characteristics of political parties, Democracy, and Political Party will be which are exemplified in organizational conceptualized in this section. and operational defects, poor sense of party discipline and loyalty, lax party Intra-Party Conflict: Entails a situation of supremacy, and gross ideological disagreement among members of a political deficits. party. This situation often arises “when members of the same political party pursue 3. Influence of money politics and incompatible political goals or try to influence personality cult, which gives rise to the decision making process of the party to cabalism, godfatherism, and the likes. their advantage”. This shows that intra party 4. The incumbency factor, whereby the conflict often occurs when members are ambitions of the incumbent political entangled in the pursuit of divergent goals most executives (party leaders) contradict with especially in the fielding of members for both those of some party elements in such a elective and appointive positions. manner that precipitates gang-up and The phrase intra-party conflict is concept intra-party wrangling. Still on the track of coined to embrace all the tussles and wrangling unveiling the propelling force behind the within a political party that are inimical to intra-party conflict in Nigeria, Mbah normal nomination and/or election of party flag submitted thus: bearers, as against inter-party politics which is The Petit-bourgeois found out that although political activity among different political parties. they have acquired political power, they were This ugly trend manifests in the form of not truly in control of the economy. However, opposition within a political party. As a they understood that political power offered corollary, (Okoli, 2001) avers that intra-party opportunities for economic power and
Recommended publications
  • Nigeria's Fourth Republic (1999-2015) and Electoral Outcomes

    Nigeria's Fourth Republic (1999-2015) and Electoral Outcomes

    162 JOURNAL OF AFRICAN ELECTIONS NIGERIA’S FOURTH REPUBLIC (1999-2015) AND ELECTORAL OUTCOMES: How long can Patronage or ‘Politics of the Belly’ Last? Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju, PhD Dhikru Adewale Yagboyaju is a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria email: [email protected] ABSTRACT The relationship between elections and the vitality of a democratic society is clear. Elections have proven to be the best means of strengthening the mandate of a performing administration or removing a non-performing one. This paper argues, however, that the outcomes of several elections in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic have proved contrary to the common trend in most advanced democratic systems, in which electoral outcomes are based on performance. While in some cases, especially in political party primaries, candidates with little or no democratic credentials have emerged during general elections, in other instances administrations with relatively high records of infrastructural development have been voted out. This study traces the most probable causes of this paradox to Nigeria’s money politics and a possible misinterpretation of the concept of development. It is essentially a literature-based study, descriptive but also analytical. The paper concludes that the country will have to contend with the politics of underdevelopment for as long as immediate and pecuniary benefits constitute the expectation of the generality of followers. Keywords: electoral outcomes, patronage politics, stomach infrastructure, development, Nigeria. 162 VOLUME 14 NO 2 163 INTRODUCTION Elections are among the most ubiquitous phenomena in many parts of the contemporary world, particularly in political systems that have embraced competitive politics.
  • State, Octoberto Decembe& 1983. 6.I Introduction Gongoi-A State Under Col. Muhammaduiega

    State, Octoberto Decembe& 1983. 6.I Introduction Gongoi-A State Under Col. Muhammaduiega

    189 CHAPTER SIX ASTHE THIRD CTVILIAN GOVERNOROF GONGOI.A STATE, OCTOBERTO DECEMBE& 1983. 6.I INTRODUCTION l. GONGOI-A STATE UNDER COL. MUHAMMADUIEGA The General Murtala Mohammed Administration created Gongola State in February 1976 along with six other states. The state had Lt. Col. Muhammadu Jega (now Major General Rtd.) as its fust Military Governor. To all Gongolans, the creation marked the beginning of social, economic and political challenges leading to general development. Carved out of the defunct North-Eastem State (comprising former Bauchi, Adamawa, Borno and Sardauna Provinces) and part of Benue-Plateau State (i.e. the former Wukari Division), Gongola State had a land mass of 102,068 sq kilometers which made it the second latgest state in the Federation. It is located within latitude 11" South and longitude 9%"West and 14" East with a projected population of 4.6 million people (1983). Gongola State shared comnon borders with Plateau and Benue sates. Seven administrative divisions comprising Adamawa, Numan, Mubi, Wukari; Ganye, Jalingo and Sardauna made up the state at its inception. At the initial stage, the st2te capital, Yola, and all the seven adrninistrative headquarters had few or no modern infrastructutal faciiities. Mosi facilities therefore had to be developed from scratch in all parts of the sate. To this end, a Task Fotce Committee was esablished undet the chaitmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi @aban Larai) to scout for both of6ce and residential iccommodation for the more than 5,000 civil servants deployed to the state. Similarly, the committee had to device means of srilizilg 6axi6fly, the few movable assets inherited from the former North-Eastern State.
  • Maternal Death Review in Ondo State – a Case Study

    Maternal Death Review in Ondo State – a Case Study

    The Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in Ondo State (CEMDOS) By Dr. Lawal Oyeneyin (FWACS, FMCOG) Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist Chief Medical Director, Mother & Child Hospital, Laje rd, Ondo Chairman, Committee on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in Ondo State (CEMDOS) Greetings from the Sunshine State . a place of pride rd Created 3 February 1976 3 INTRODUCTION 4 • Nigeria presently accounts for the second highest global burden of maternal deaths in the world and one of the top 5 of child deaths • Despite only contributing to 2% of world population, Nigeria actually accounts for about 14% of maternal deaths MDGs • United Nations Millennium Development Goal 5 - mandates improving maternal health - targets reduction of maternal deaths by 75% by the year 2015 • Brought to the fore the sorry state of maternal health in many countries, including Nigeria 6 On assumption in 2009.. • Dr. Olusegun Mimiko administration met a poorly funded and grossly inadequate health infrastructure populated by ill-motivated and demoralized professional workforce • Unflattering Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) of 2008 put us as having the worst maternal and child care indices in the Southwestern zone of Nigeria – we had nothing in place to corroborate or disprove these stats • In view of the foregoing we quickly put in place a program that was a paradigm shift, by taking health care services to the vulnerable populace wherever they live, work and play in order to meet our stated goals 7 ONDO ABIYE (SAFE MOTHERHOOD) PROGRAMME
  • Social Development

    Social Development

    Social Development NG-Journal of Social Development, VOL. 5, No. 5, October 2016 Journal homepage: www.arabianjbmr.com/NGJSD_index.php POLITICAL PARTIES AND CHIEF EXECUTIVES AS THREATS TO DEMOCRACY IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (1999 TO 2007) Dr. Mohammed-Hashimu Yunusa Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Department of Political Science Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State Abstract Although Political Parties are undoubtedly a key ingredient of building a robust democracy, the character of the parties and their modus operandi have a significant impact on democracy, with Political Parties often having glaring gaps that block the exercise of participatory democracy. Many Political Parties, especially in transitional and semi-authoritarian States, lack internal democracy. They also frequently fall under the control of powerful economic and political elites. It is from this view that the paper discuses political parties and Chief Executives in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic with a focus of PDP (1999 to 2007). The paper argues that, in Nigeria, Chief Executives, particularly at the National level have been having influence over the activities of political parties at the detriment of “descent democracy”. To get out of the malaise, the paper recommends that, the Chief Executives should learn to put aside their personal ego in the interest of the state and that they should aim at good governance. There should be freedom of thought and expression. Keywords: Democracy, Political Parties, Chief Executives, Impeachment, Democratization. Introduction The development of Political Parties in Nigeria dates back to 1923 when the Nigerian National Democratic Party was launched. This followed the establishment of the Nigerian Legislative Council in order to provide some Political space for the participation of Nigerians.
  • Journal of African Elections

    Journal of African Elections

    VOLUME 7 NO 2 i Journal of African Elections ARTICLES BY Francesca Marzatico Roukaya Kasenally Eva Palmans R D Russon Emmanuel O Ojo David U Enweremadu Christopher Isike Sakiemi Idoniboye-Obu Dhikru AdewaleYagboyaju J Shola Omotola Volume 10 Number 1 June 2011 i ii JOUR na L OF AFRIC an ELECTIO N S Published by EISA 14 Park Road, Richmond Johannesburg South Africa P O Box 740 Auckland Park 2006 South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 11 381 6000 Fax: +27 (0) 11 482 6163 e-mail: [email protected] ©EISA 2011 ISSN: 1609-4700 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher Copy editor: Pat Tucker Printed by: Global Print, Johannesburg Cover photograph: Reproduced with the permission of the HAMILL GALLERY OF AFRICAN ART, BOSTON, MA, USA www.eisa.org.za VOLUME 7 NO 2 iii Editor Denis Kadima, EISA, Johannesburg Editorial BOARD Jørgen Elklit, Department of Political Science, University of Aarhus, Denmark Amanda Gouws, Department of Political Science, University of Stellenbosch Abdul Rahman Lamin, UNESCO, Accra Tom Lodge, Department of Politics and Public Administration, University of Limerick Khabele Matlosa, UNDP/ECA Joint Governance Initiatives, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Lloyd Sachikonye, Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Harare Gloria Somolekae, National Representative of the W K Kellogg Programme in Botswana and EISA Board member Roger Southall, Department of Sociology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg The Journal of African Elections is an interdisciplinary biannual publication of research and writing in the human sciences, which seeks to promote a scholarly understanding of developments and change in Africa.
  • Ondo State Conflictbulletin: Nigeria

    Ondo State Conflictbulletin: Nigeria

    THE FUND FOR PEACE Nigeria Conflict Bulletin: Ondo State Patterns and Trends, January 2012 - J u n e 2 0 1 5 While violence in Ondo has historically Democratic Party (PDP). The next page shows the relative distribution of been relatively low, in the first half of 2015 gubernatorial elections are scheduled for incidents from one LGA to the next from reported fatalities increased significantly as 2016. January 2012 to June 2015. The trendline on compared to previous years. This was the next page shows the number of mainly in connection to a few incidents of This Conflict Bulletin provides a brief incidents and fatalities over time. The bar criminality (bank robberies in Owo and snapshot of the trends and patterns of chart shows the relative trend of incidents Akoko North West LGAs) and piracy (Ilaje conflict risk factors at the State and LGA of insecurity by LGA per capita. LGA) that killed dozens. Other issues, levels, drawing on the data available on the reported in Ondo included political tensions P4P Digital Platform for Multi-Stakeholder The summaries draw on data collected by and cult violence. Engagement (www.p4p-nigerdelta.org). It ACLED, FFP’s UNLocK, the Council on represents a compilation of the data from Foreign Relations’ NST, WANEP Nigeria, CSS/ After the 2012 gubernatorial election, in the sources listed below, not necessarily the ETH Zurich, NEEWS2015, and Nigeria Watch which Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party opinions of FFP or any other organization integrated on the P4P platform. They also (LP) was re-elected, the losing parties raised that collaborated on the production of this draw on data and information from concerns about alleged election bulletin.
  • Participatory Rural Development in Ondo State

    Participatory Rural Development in Ondo State

    Afro Asian Journal of Social Sciences Volume 5, No. 5.2 Quarter II 2014 ISSN: 2229 – 5313 PARTICIPATORY RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ONDO STATE Tolu Lawal Department of public Administration, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State , Nigeria Abe Oluwatoyin Department of Political Science, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti. Ekiti State, Nigeria ABSTRACT The genuine development of the grassroots particularly in the developing societies depends largely on the participation of the rural populace in policy conception and implementation, especially in the area of development policies; fundamentally the rural people play a vital and significant role in economic and political development of the nation. This is because the bulk of economic produce as well as votes come from these areas. However, the much needed development has continued to elude the rural communities in spite of the various development policies carried out by successive governments in the state. This paper therefore critically assessed the 31s initiative of the present government in Ondo State with a view to know its impact on rural development. The paper relied on both primary and secondary data to source its information. The paper submitted that 31s initiative has impacted positively on the lives of rural dwellers in Ondo State, most especially in the areas of infrastructure, integrated development, participatory skills e.t.c. And therefore needed to be sustained and replicated in other communities yet to benefit. Keywords: Development, Rural Development, Infrastructure, Democracy, Participation. Introduction The rural areas of Nigeria are characterized by low level of socio-economic activities, low purchasing power and lack of infrastructure and social amenities (Abdulraham 1999:18).
  • Tinubu: Still Another Ranting on Mimiko

    Tinubu: Still Another Ranting on Mimiko

    Tinubu: Still Another Ranting On Mimiko In an interview he granted The Guardian newspaper on Sunday, riddled with many patronising questions, leader of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Senator Bola Tinubu, once again launched acerbic attacks on Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, claiming that Mimiko merely out-smarted him in the October 20 governorship election and accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of rigging the election. He also accused Governor Mimiko of colluding with President Goodluck Jonathan to rig the election while, almost by the minute, stating the insulting claim: “I am a born democrat.’’ Obviously, born democrats of the Tinubu hue do not accept election defeat; they do not congratulate winners---after all, in their view, Mitt Romney is a fool for doing so!- --and they have no regard for the office of Governor Olusegun Mimiko the President and Commander-in-Chief. It is indeed saddening that President Goodluck Jonathan’s constant effort to rule with the fear of God and enthrone fairness in electoral contests only invites scorn and contempt from the ACN, its writers and the newspapers which project their maladies. Tinubu had the temerity to state that Mimiko ”courted the protection of Abuja overtly and covertly’’ and that the president rigged the election for him. This is emergency senility at best, and political armed robbery at worst. In truth, ACN stinks too badly! Now that The Guardian, which published an extensive pullout on “The encircled Iroko’’ (see The Guardian, Sunday May 13, 2012), documenting the ACN’s tirade without even quoting at least a sentence from Mimiko or any of his aides, has once again given considerable space to Tinubu’s diatribes against Mimiko and all lovers of true development, fairness demands that Mimiko, too, be interviewed so that he can state his own side of the story.
  • Conflict Bulletin: Ondo State

    Conflict Bulletin: Ondo State

    The Fund for Peace Conflict Bulletin: Ondo State Patterns and Trends, 2012-2014 election irregularities and intimidation. The ACLED integrated on the P4P platform. They next gubernatorial elections are slated for also draw on data and information from 2016. “Violence in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends,” by Patricia Taft and Nate Haken (Springer In early 2014, most incidents in Ondo State Press, April 2015). involved domestic and interpersonal violence. In May, a clash between rival cult groups reportedly left one person dead. LGA Level Summary Overall, much of the violence in Ondo state was related to instances of petty crime and Akure North/South kidnappings. (Ondo Central Senatorial District) This Conflict Bulletin provides a brief snapshot of the trends and patterns of During the second half of 2012, violence conflict risk factors at the State and LGA sometimes had a political dimension in the levels, drawing on relevant data made context of a hotly contested gubernatorial ndo state has a population of available from the P4P Digital Platform for election in October. Both the Action approximately 3.44 million according Multi-Stakeholder Engagement (www.p4p- Congress of Nigeria and the People’s to the most recent census (2006). The nigerdelta.org). It represents a compilation majority are of Yoruba descent, with of the data from sources listed below, not Reported Violence a sizable minority of those from Ijaw necessarily opinions of FFP or any other subgroups, particularly along the coast. organization that collaborated on the Incidents per million people, 2014 (Jul-Dec) Ondo derives most of its revenue from the production of this bulletin.
  • Intra-Party Conflict and Prospects of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

    Intra-Party Conflict and Prospects of Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria

    IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS) Volume 21, Issue 5, Ver. 3 (May. 2016) PP 91-98 e-ISSN: 2279-0837, p-ISSN: 2279-0845. www.iosrjournals.org Intra-Party Conflict And Prospects Of Democratic Consolidation In Nigeria Okonkwo, Clement Nwafor1 Dr. Felix N. Unaji2 1Department of Political Science Madonna University, Okija, Nigeria. 2Department of Political ScienceMadonna University, Okija, Nigeria. abstract: Democracy appears to be the basis of modern day political development in the world over. Political party and concomitant election is the tool necessary for the achievement of the sought-after and admirable political arrangement (democracy). The study in all ramifications observed among others that in Africa in general and Nigeria in particular, the state of democracy has not really yielded the expected result. Therefore, the focus of this study is on the intra-party conflict and the democratic consolidation in Nigeria. We adopted observation method of data collection which enhanced our usage of secondary data. Descriptive qualitative method was utilised for the analysis of generated data. Theoretically, the study adopted system analysis as the fulcrum around which it oscillated which emphasized among other postulations that the political arrangement of the society is systemic in nature through inputs and outputs loops. However, the study resolved that the non- democratic nature engendered by intra-party conflict in Nigeria contributed a lot on the challenges of democratic consolidation in country. As a result, we suggested among others that the Nigerian political parties should go back to the drawing board and understand their socialisation role. With this, they can instill in the minds of the members the general democratic credos which they will exhibit if eventually enthroned to power.
  • The Outlook for Ondo: Votes and Violence

    The Outlook for Ondo: Votes and Violence

    The Outlook for Ondo: Votes and Violence OCTOBER 2020 Introduction On the 10 October 2020, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the sixth governorship election in Ondo State since the restoration of democracy in 1999. The state, in Nigeria’s south-west geo-political zone, is currently held by the All Progressive Congress (APC) and is strategic in protecting the APCs political hegemony in the zone. Although 17 parties have registered candidates, only three have a chance of winning: the APC, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP). The defection of the incumbent deputy governor, Agboola Ajayi, from the APC and his subsequent emergence as the governorship candidate of ZLP, raised the stakes in the elections. This report provides an overview of the political environment leading up to the election. Specifically, it analyses the strength of the three major political parties and their candidates by thoroughly examining the history of votes and voting pattern, political alliances, and election-related violence. The Candidates Agboola Ajayi (ZLP) is the current deputy governor of Ondo State, a lawyer by training and a grassroots politician. He was a ward chairman in the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD), a former chairman of Ese- Odo local government area (LGA) and is a former member of the House of Representatives. Former governor of the state, Dr Olusegun Mimiko (2009-2017), was a member of his ZLP party. The APC candidate, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, is the incumbent governor of the state. Prior to his election in 2017, he was the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association and a failed gubernatorial aspirant, having contested and lost the governorship elections in 2012 on the platform of the now defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
  • The Ife-Modakeke Crisis

    The Ife-Modakeke Crisis

    HOPE BETRAYED? A Report on Impunity and State-Sponsored Violence in Nigeria KADUNA PLATEAU OSUN BENUE ANA- MBRA CROSS RIVER BAYELSA First published in 2002 by: World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) P. O. Box 21-8, rue du Vieux Billard ch-1211 Geneva 8, Switzerland Tel: + 41 22 8094939 Fax: + 41 22 8094929 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.omct.org And Centre for Law Enforcement Education (CLEEN) 1 Afolabi Aina Street, Off Allen Avenue Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria Tel: 234-1-4933195 Fax: 234-1-4935338 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: www.kabissa.org/cleen COORDINATION Eric Sottas, Director, World Organisation Against Torture Innocent Chukwuma, Executive Director, Centre for Law Enforcement Education Anne-Laurence Lacroix, Deputy Director, World Organisation Against Torture Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, Expert-Consultant ISBN: 2-88477-023-2 Imp. Abrax F-21300 Chenôve © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior approval of the copyright owners. HOPE BETRAYED? A Report on Impunity and State-Sponsored Violence in Nigeria KADUNA PLATEAU OSUN BENUE ANA- MBRA CROSS RIVER BAYELSA Acknowledgments The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) and the Centre for Law Enforcement Education (CLEEN) are grateful to several groups and individuals for their assistance and contributions in the publication of this book. We thank the European Union for their support in the research and publication of this book. We equally express our thanks to the participants at the October 2001 workshop in Ota, Ogun State on the use of international human rights mechanisms, whose craving for investigation of ethno-religious crises, state- sponsored violence and impunity led to the publication of this work.