University of Nigeria Research Publications NWANKWO, Ben Author Author PG/M.Sc/03/34838 Elections and Politics of Transitions in Nigeria: An Institutional Assessment of Title INEC and it's Conduct of 2003 Elections in Anambra State Social Sciences Faculty Faculty Public Administration Department Department April, 2006 Date Date Signature Signature BECll)#I AND POLITICS OF TRANSITIONS IN NEERlk AN INSTITUTIINAL ASSESSMENT ff INEc Alul ITS CONMCT ff 2003 ELECllONS IN ANAMBRA STATE. - INEC HEADQUATERS ABUJA of Nigeria Nsukka blic Admini stration a mment BEN NWANKWO PG/M.Sc/03/34838 4 L.-.a@ TITLE PAGE-- ELECTIONS AND POLITICSOF TRANSITIONS IN NIGERLR; AN INSTITUTIONAL ASSESSMENT OF INEC AND ITS CONDUC'I 01- 2803 ELECTIONS IN ANAMBRA STATE. BEN NWANKWQ PGIM.Sc103134838 A RESEARCH PROJECT SUBMITTED 7'0 THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, UNlVERSlTY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF M.Sc DEGREE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT. * APPROVAL PAGE This thesis have approved for the award of the degree of Master of Science (M.Sc) in Public Administration and Local Gvernment, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Head of Department CERTIFICIATION This research Project titled; "Elections and the Politics of Transitions in Nigeria: An Institutional Assessment of INEC and its conduct of 2003 Elections in Anambra State", written by Ben Nwankwo (,PGIM.Sc103134838)meets the regulations governing the award of the degree of Master of Science (MSc.) of the Unlverslty of Nlgerla, Nsukka, and Is approved for its contribution to scientific knowledge and literary presentation. The work embodied in this research is original and has not being submitted in part or full for any other diploma or degree of this and other University. Supetvisor External Examiner. AKNOWLEDGEMENT In the process of this research work, I found the assistance and contribution of many people very useful. I am profoundly thankful to them. Notwithstanding, I am obliged by obvious circumstances to register the kindness and persistence of my supervisor, Prof. F. C. Okoli, under whose tutelage, I profusely admit, 1 have learnt a lot. Osisioma may God cultivate in your vineyard. Many thanks to Dr. N. N. Elekwe my head, Dr. Fab Onah, Dr. A. 0. Onyishi, Dr. E. N. Aguigwo and Dr. C. J. Nwale, who rendered helps at various stages. The Library of the Head of Service, the Library of the Secretary to the head of service, the Library to the Government of the Federation, the Library of the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja and the Library of the University of Nigeria; to their management and staff I am grateful to for their resourceful assistance. I appreciate very immensely the support of my colleagues in the M.Sc Class 2004; we loved and co-operated amongst us and for the usefulness of such attitudes I register my gratitude. To Sir M. N. Okoli and Senator C. N. Ukachukwu, I salute; for a determined effort as dearly pillars; to render helps especially when it mattered most. My brothers and sisters deserve my commendation for their unequal love shown to me very unflinchingly and remained very unshakeable even when the storm was high. The entire people of Orumba, who at all times I had presented myself for their service, they enthusiastically consented, even in 2002 when I was away by enemies ploy - you made a choice. And the choice is 1. I am enslaved to your passion, love and solidarity. Our vision is SURE. My wife, Chi-isco kept the home front when 1 abandoned them to pursue the course of destiny. Baby, I am grateful to you for looking over Mmesoma, Nwannem, Dumebis, Chikamso and Nkemjika during the time I went for 'war'. The assistance of my personal aides - Chidi, Chris, Evans, Eboh and a whole lot of others 1 hereto place on records. To all these and many others whose mention I cannot complete under limited space and time, I immensely acknowledge. DEDICATION This work is dedicated to Chief N. N. Nwankwo (1912-1989), Ohamee of Akpu. Father, that the foundation, which you ably laid, may not be in vain. -. 'IirhIP 0/'~'011/~~11/ TABLE OF CONTENT ['age Title Page Approval Page I Certification II .-. Acknowledgements - 111 Dedication - v Table of Content v i CHAPTER ONE 1.0 Introduction 2 1.1 Background to the Problem 14 1.2 Statement of Problem - 14 1.3 Objective of Study 15 1.4 Significance of Study - 16 1.5 Scope and 1.-imitation of Study - 17 CHAPTER TWO 2.0 Literature Review 2.0.1 Ecology of Electoral Process... 2.0.2 Elections and Political Conflicts.. 2.3.0 Comparative Explot-atiori Egypt France Brazil Germany Mexico United Kingdom United States Japan 2.4.0 Gap in the LAerature - 2.4.Q.1 Hypothesis 2.4.0.2 Operationalization of the Key Concepts 2.4.0.3 Methodology - 2.4.0.4 ~escri~tivdMethod - 2.4.0.5 Theoretical Framework 2.4.1.0 , Characteristics of the theory - 2.4.1.1 The Application of the theory To study - 2.4.t.2 Method of Data Collection - 2.4.1.3 DocumentS - 2.4.I .4 Participant Observation 2.4.1.5 Method of Data Analysis - I CHAPTER THREE 3.0 The Study Area CHAPTER FOUR 4.0 Data Presentation Analysis and . Findings - 4.1 Data Presentation and Analysis - 4.1 .IAnambra 2003 - 4. I.2 Governorship Nomination I 4.1.3 National and State House of Assemblies Nomination by PDP - 4.1.4 General Elections 4.1.4(A) Governorship - 4.1.4(B) National Assembly - 4.1.4(C) State Assembly - CHAPTER FIVE 5.0 Summary, Recommendations and Conclusion 5.1 Summary 5.2 Recommendations 5.3 Conclusion I Appendix References 1.0 Introduction. The History of present-day African States could be traced to colonial rule, courtesy of the Berlin Conference of 1885, which divided African territories into areas of influence of European powers. The actual rule was brief or long, depending on the policy of the colonial powers. At the end of the colonial rule, independence was granted as a result of mutual settlement or prolonged war of independence. At independence, African States established their government based on the liberal democratic principles with a flourishing multi- party system. Within a few years, multiparty systems collapsed, giving way to one party rule or military authoritarianism. These systems of government continued to dominate the African political landscape until the end of the 1980s. With the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War, a revolutionary change took place in the political history of the world. This change led to the retreat of socialist government and the resurgence of liberal democratic government. This development affected the political history of Africa. What Macmillan, a one time British Prime Minister, in the 1960s, described as a w ind of c hange became a tornado i n the 1 990s. Variously described as the third wave, Aperture (a team for Political opening by Richard Joseph) a wind blowing African coconut trees (a term used by President Bongo of Gabon) and second independence, this political tornado changed the political map of Africa From the Northern Horn to the Southern Cape; and from Tropical Savannah of the West to the Equatorial Region of East, the entire continent was caught in a wave of democratization. Indeed, democracy became the only game in town. One of the essential features of democratization process is election. As correctly observed by Bratton (1999). The consolidation of democracy involves the widespread acceptance of issues to guarantee political participation and political competition. Elections - which empower ordinary citizens to choose among contestants for top political office - clearly promote both sort of rules. ii. Since independence, Nigeria has faced considerable difficulty in successfully conducting transparent and fair election aimed at establishing an enduring democratic system. Most analysts agree that all elections since 1965, with the exception of the I993 polls have been marred by violence and malpractices with the ' political parties and incumbents at the core of the difficulties. There is a strong theoretical tie between elections and democracy, the principle being a settled one that elections do sustain democracy, and consequently promote political stability. The 2003 General elections are the first civilian-to-civilian transition process and the outcome has led to a need for an institutional assessment The question therefore is what are the democratic characters of this election and its reciprocal capacity to build democracy, promote stability and the principle of mass participation, while engendering conflict settlement? Or is the reverse the case? The consolidation of democratic rule remains one of Nigeria's greatest national challenges, largely as a result of the following; The long period of military rule had far reaching effects on governance system and the political behaviour of the Nigerian people. Civil society was particularly weakened through oppression and there is widespread distrust of government institutions (including INEC). Worst still, most Nigerians have very little understanding of the democratic process or the willingness for active participation. The first years of the democratic system, the country witnessed a number of unexpected ethnic and religious conflicts complicated by economic recessions and very low level of political motivation. Tools and mechanisms for preventing and managing conflicts, violence and hostilities are not yet institutionalised. Although results of the 1999 elections were accepted, it exposed the need for an institutional enhancement of INEC's capacity for better performance and worst still, the 2003 general elections further eroded the reputation of INEC i n the conduct of credible e lections. T his situation further interrogates the independence of INEC in the performance of her constitutional duties, vis-a-vis the clutching hands of the Federal Executive powers that funds its operations.