AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT CHARTER SERIES In strengthening collaborative research, the African Research Council on Sustainable Development adopts a flexible approach to improve technical skills of researchers by allowing for regional determination of research priorities. This strengthens closer ties among researchers, government Institutions and other agencies who work within the purview of reviewing development policies and challenges in other to advance alternative strategies for sustainability. Most issues presented here were first discussed at International Policy Research Summits and Conferences. The African Development Charter Series (ADCS) is not just a research document, but a strategic and well cordinated policy framework, featuring broad-based and integrated strategies towards transforming the social and economic landscape of developing economies of the World and Africa in particular. It does not claim to capture the complexity of development issues in Africa but provides useful insights and new directions based on the expertise of respective authors that shed light on the challenges within, newly emerging development concepts, and opportunities that arise for sustainability. Other Charter series are: 1. Rethinking Sustainable Development in Africa 2 Infrastructure, Economic Development and Poverty Reduction in Africa 3. The Nigerian Economy: Structure, Growth, Diversification and Sustainability 4. Entrepreneurship Innovation and Management Techniques 5. The Nigerian Economy: Recession, Recovery and Growth Plan 6. Inclusive Strategies for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7. Crime, Security and the Future of the African Nation State DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Published by International Institute for Policy Review & Development Strategies, Nigeria www.internationalpolicybrief.org © November, 2018 ISBN: 978-051-746-4 Editorial Contacts Dr. Bassey E. Anam Institute of Public Policy and Administration University of Calabar, Cross River State Nigeria- West Africa [email protected] Tel: +234 8174 380 445 Prof. Nathaniel C. Ozigbo Department of Business Administration University of Abuja, Nigeria Collaborating Research Units International Scientific Research Consortium Abdulazeez D. El-ladan The Future Institute 10 Coventry Innovation Village Coventry University, CV1 2TL ED. Jonah Ulebor Lextra Education LTD Oakhurt Avenue. Leeds, LS11 7HL, United Kingdom Rohit Kumar Verma Institute of Law, Jiwaji Univeristy India. Gwalior (M.P.) India PT. Hussein Botchway University of Energy and Natural Resources Sunyani, Ghana. African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page i DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE IDPR, Nairobi Dr. Andre Yitambe School of Public Health Kenyatta University, Nairobi Africa Research Council on Sustainable Development (ARCSD) Dr. Chuks J. Diji Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering University of Ibadan, Nigeria-West Africa International School of Advanced Research Study (ISARS) AG Registrar Dr. Veronica Babajide Department of Science and Technology Education University of Lagos, Nigeria First Assured International Schoolof Business (FAISB) AG Registrar Prof. Nathaniel Ozigbo Department of Business Administration University of Abuja Publishing Contact Science Publishing Corporation Germany KEJA Publications G. S. T. Road, Otteri, Vandalur Channel – 600048 INDIA Indexing/Abstracting/Library The book is processed for inclusion in, Google Scholar PIAS International Fact Sheets/Achieves Ulrich's Periodicals Directory (ProQuest) International Bibliography of the Social Sciences (IBSS) National Library of Nigeria cataloguing in Publication data Brilliant International Research Library African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page ii DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE International Copyright Law: All right reserved under the International Copyright Law. This volume is published by the International Institute for Policy Review and Development Strategies, Nigeria. This book- its cover page design and content may not be used or produced in any manner without written permission from the International Institute for Policy Review and Development Strategies; [email protected]. Designed & Produced by: Advanced Publishers, Nigeria African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page iii DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Dedication edicated to the International Institute for Policy Review & D Development Strategies for providing a platform and supporting Institutional and Collaborative Research and Sustainable Development. African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page iv DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Acknowledgement ontributors are greatly acknowledge for supporting the agenda C towards achieving sustainable development in developing economies of the world, especially in Africa. The following members of the Institute Editorial Team are specially acknowledged for their useful contributions; Dr. Bassey E. Anam Institute of Public Policy & Administration University of Calabar, Nigeria Prof. Nathaniel C. Ozigbo Department of Business Administration University of Abuja, Nigeria Prof. Yusufu Ali Zoaka Department of Political Science & International Relations University of Abuja, Nigeria Dr. Doris Chukwu Department of Political & Administrative Studies University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria Dr. Fatile Jacob Olufemi Department of Administration Lagos State University, Nigeria Dr. Margret Kabuoh Department of Business Administration and Marketing Babcock University, Ogun State - Nigeria Madubueze Madumelu H. C. Department of Public Administration Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra State , Nigeria African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page v DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Contents Dedication Acknowledgement Introduction DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Dr. Bassey Anam 1 THE CHALLENGES OF ELECTORAL PROCESS AND GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA Prof. Nathaniel C. Ozigbo 4 Chapter 1 A STUDY OF DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS AND THE QUEST FOR PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION SYSTEM IN NIGERIA 1Y. A. Zoaka, 2Ogbu Collins & 3J. W. Adams 10 Chapter 2 OVERVIEW OF ELECTORAL LAWS IN NIGERIA 1B. M. Magaji & 2A. D. Ahmed 25 Chapter 3 ELECTORAL ACT 2010 AND THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS 1B. M. Magaji & 2A. D. Ahmed 40 Chapter 4 CREDIBLE ELECTORAL PROCESS: A PANACEA TO DEMOCRATIC DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA Beida Onivehu Julius 57 African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page vi DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE Contents Chapter 5 ELECTION SECURITY AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS 1Joseph K. Ukwayi & 2Bassey E. Anam 82 Chapter 6 ELECTIONS, SECURITY CHALLENGES AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA 1Collins, F. Obialor & 2Ozuzu, Henry Ugochukwu 94 Chapter 7 MONEY POLITICS, VOTE BUYING, AND DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA: IMPLICATION FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE 1Naomi A. Phinos (PhD) & 2Chukwueme K. Kennedy 113 Chapter 8 IMPACT OF LOCAL PARTICIPATION IN PROJECTS IMPLEMENTATION ON THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELLBEING OF RURAL DWELLERS IN CROSS RIVER STATE 1Judith Otu & 2Bassey E. Anam 126 Chapter 9 SECURITY AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA STATE 1Krokeyi, Wisdom Selekekeme & 2Dadi, Timothy 139 African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page vii Introduction Democracy, Elections and Development: the Nigerian Experience Dr. Bassey Anam Institute of Public Policy & Administration University of Calabar emocracy simply means rule by the people. It is government by the people or their elected representatives. The full participation of the people during Delectioneering gives the new government a legitimate foundation to govern. Any government against this background will not enjoy legitimacy which gives every government a political support from the people because it is deemed rightful since the support emanates from the people. In a democracy, supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system. The election, therefore, becomes an important element of modern- day representative democracy. It provides an institutional medium by which electorates in a country choose their representatives into different positions of governance, and also allows different interest groups within a state to stake and resolve their claims to power through peaceful means. Elections are fundamental to democratic governance. Through the process, eligible voters select their leaders and hold them accountable for their performance in office. Elections also reinforce the stability and legitimacy of the political community and further serve a self-actualizing purpose by confirming the worth and dignity of individual citizens as human beings. African Development Charter, Series - 8 Page 1 DEMOCRACY, ELECTIONS AND DEVELOPMENT: THE NIGERIAN EXPERIENCE It should be stressed that elections are intended to provide a peaceful method for groups to compete for political power, sometimes directly replacing violent alternatives. However, in situations when political parties have not yet accepted the rules of the game, violence and insecurity becomes an inevitable part of the electoral process. Historically, Nigeria's elections have been faced with a plethora of challenges and in most cases, the primary goal of elections had been unmet. Some observers have concluded that it is almost impossible to contemplate elections in Nigeria without thinking of