Democracy and Electoral Corruption in Nigeria: Strategies for Engendering Credible Elections

Mike Omilusi, Simeon A. Daisi

Abstract


Periodic and credible elections are regarded as a key component for enhancing the legitimacy of a government and strengthening the social contract between citizens and their governments. Peaceful, transparent and regular competition for political power through elections is a defining feature of stable democracy. In Nigeria, the credibility of the electoral process and consequently, acceptability of election outcomes, are contentious because they are always accompanied with acrimony, widespread irregularities, violence, and all forms of malpractices such as vote buying, thuggery, rigging, among others. This article focuses on the nature and dynamics of electoral corruption in Nigeria and how these have impacted on democratic governance. It essentially recommends strategic ways of combating the menace of electoral corruption with a view to consolidating democracy in Africa’s most populous country.


Keywords


Election; Corruption; Democracy; Strategies; Governance

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/12492

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