Voters Apathy And Democratic Consolidation In Nigeria (A Case Study Of 2023 General Elections)

Voters Apathy And Democratic Consolidation In Nigeria (A Case Study Of 2023 General Elections)
Abstract
This study was carried out on the findings on voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections. The study was carried out to determine the level of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, identify the causes of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, and ascertain the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria. The survey design was adopted and the simple random sampling techniques were employed in this study. The population size comprised of residents of Emohua Local Government Area. In determining the sample size, the researcher purposefully selected 147 respondents and 141 were validated. Self-constructed and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. The collected and validated questionnaires were analyzed using frequency tables, and mean scores. While the hypotheses was tested chi-square statistical tool. The result of the findings reveals that the level of voters apathy in Nigeria is high. Furthermore, the study revealed that the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria includes: political apathy mitigates the idea democracy, poor turnout of voters, poor leadership structure, increases corruption, conflicts, bad government. Therefore, it is recommended that there is urgent need for political education in Nigeria especially the people in the riverine and rural areas. Political education should not be limited to the school system. Both formal and informal approaches should be adopted to orientate the citizens on the need for active participation in the political system. There is the need for mass political enlightenment through the media, adult education programme and civil associations. The citizens should be conscious of the danger of their political apathy. To mention but a few.
Table of Content
- Title Page
- Certification
- Dedication
- Acknowledgement
- Table of Content
- List of Tables
- Abstract
Chapter One:
Introduction
- 1.1 Background of the Study
- 1.2 Statement of the Problem
- 1.3 Objective of the Study
- 1.4 Research Questions
- 1.5 Research Hypothesis
- 1.6 Significance of the Study
- 1.7 Scope of the Study
- 1.8 Limitation of the Study
- 1.9 Definition of Terms
- 1.10 Organisations of the Study
Chapter Two:
Review of Literature
- 2.1 Conceptual Framework
- 2.2 Theoretical Framework
- 2.3 Empirical Review
Chapter Three:
Research Methodology
- 3.1 Research Design
- 3.2 Population of the Study
- 3.3 Sample Size Determination
- 3.4 Sample Size Selection Technique and Procedure
- 3.5 Research Instrument and Administration
- 3.6 Method of Data Collection
- 3.7 Method of Data Analysis
- 3.8 Validity of the Study
- 3.9 Reliability of the Study
- 3.10 Ethical Consideration
Chapter Four:
Data Presentation and Analysis
- 4.1 Data Presentation
- 4.2 Analysis of Data
- 4.3 Answering Research Questions
- 4.4 Test of Hypotheses
Chapter Five:
Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
- 5.1 Summary
- 5.2 Conclusion
- 5.3 Recommendation
- References
- APPENDIX
- QUESTIONNAIRE
Chapter One
Introduction
1.1 Background of the Study
Nigeria as a democratizing polity is grappling with myriads of socio-political challenges which have over the years constrained efforts and process towards democratic consolidation and national development. Notably, among these problems is crisis of election process. Today, election crisis constitutes one of the daunting challenges in the country’s multi-party democracy. Hence, it manifests in dysfunctional election management, logistic inadequacies, violence and apathy. In a specific sense, voter apathy represents an ugly trend in Nigeria’s electoral democracy. It is an unpleasant situation which had in the recent years elicited serious concerns among scholars, electoral practitioners and election observers with regards to its adverse effects on the country’s fractured democratic process.
In a generic sense, voter apathy is a global phenomenon. Cross sectional analysis of electoral democracies has shown that the percentage of citizens who vote in elections vary considerably across countries (IDEA, 2005). In advanced democracies such as United States, the percentage of voter turnout has been fluctuating since 1960 with reference to 62.8 percent in 1960, 52.8 percent in 1980, 53.3 percent in 1984, and 50.3 percent in 1988 then rising to 55.2 percent in 1992 and fell to 50.3 percent in 2000 and rise to 55.5 percent in 2004. It however recorded an exponential rise in 2008 with 60 percent. And, it was 57.5percent in 2012 and 58.1 percent in 2016 presidential elections. (Ethridge and Handelman, 2012, and Anderson, 2017). In Europe, there has been persistent trend of voter apathy since the 1990’s and incidences of lower voter turnout in North and South American countries and African continent (IDEA, 2005). This global electoral challenge has over the years stimulated national discourse and scholarly literature on the best modalities to sustain voter’s interest in liberal democracy.
Globally, voter apathy is a destabilizing and worrisome trend in democratization programmes, especially among the developing polities of Africa and Latin America (Andriani & Escudero-Loaiza, 2021; Bukusi, 2022; Dupuy & Prakash, 2022; Dobbs, 2021; Manoel et al., 2022; Obiagu et al., 2021). As voter apathy spreads globally, so are its tremendous impacts spreading on developing democracies. According to Fagunwa (2015) the decrease in voters’ participation appears to be a general phenomenon across the globe. In the same vein, Blais (2000), Gray and Caul (2000) also pointed out that the fall in electoral participation is apparent in most democracies. In fact, Moliki and Dauda (2014) stated that there is a universal confirmation of voter apathy, that is, absence of citizens’ participation and passionate unconcern towards civic obligations and political activities.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Election remains meaningful when people massively participate and voter turnout indicates inclusiveness and significant participation. Voters’ involvement in politics is an indicator of a healthy democracy. It also expresses citizens’ interest in the political process of a nation and enhances people’s indispensability in the development agenda of the state. Thus, election is a means that allows citizens to choose who should represent them in government which is fundamental for development and sustainable democracy. Hence, immense voter turnout is a major prerequisite for the deepening of a democratization process. It measures the rate of inclusiveness and participation of people. Invariably, low turnout may indicate several abnormal signs that may hinder progress in the practice of democracy.
Since 1999, Nigeria’s electoral process seems to lack credibility, transparency and highly trapped in controversial unacceptable circumstances. Obviously, from 1999- 2023 general elections, Nigeria tend to witness gross decline in voter turnout (Akiyemi, 2023). This could be attributed to the growing inadequacies and unfair conduct of the state officials and crude manoeuvrings that characterized electoral process in Nigeria. Only an unimpressive percentage of the voting population tends to vote. For instance, Nigeria has a population of over 200 million people yet only 84 million voters were registered recently. Only 35% of eligible Nigerians balloted in the recently conducted 2023 general elections. Logically, instead of majority rule, there seems to be minority rule in Nigeria. This is despite the fact that democracy and democratization are hinged on the basic assumption of majoritarianism while at the same time not denying the minority the space to express their views.
Democracy that is not founded on the ultimate will of the people is doomed. Democracy seems to be a failed process when citizens are unconcerned about who emerged victorious in an election (Adekoya, 2023). This simply means that low turnout in 2023 general elections does not only expose the fractured relationship between the government and citizens but it also demonstrates the failure of governance in Nigeria since 1999. This study therefore seeks to revisit voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections.
1.3 Objective of the study
The main focus of this study is to examine voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections.
Specifically the study seek:
- Determine the level of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
- Identify the causes of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria.
- Ascertain the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
1.4 Research Questions
These research questions will be answered in this study:
- What is the level of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria?
- What are the causes of voters apathy during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria?
- What are the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria?
1.5 Research Hypotheses
The following hypothesis will be tested in this study:
- Ho: The prevalence of voters apathy in Nigeria is low.
- Ha: The prevalence of voters apathy in Nigeria is high.
1.6 Significance of the Study
This study (voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria) will be a tremendous benefits to Nigeria citizens in sensitizing their political perception and mentality. It will help expose the people to their right and obligations in the process of steering the affairs of the country at large. This study would also help to ensure popular participation among the residents of Nigeria citizens so as to facilitate an effective and collective governing.
Henceforth, this research will serve as a reference to scholars who will be carrying out research in similar topic makers
1.7 Scope of the Study
The scope of this study borders on voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections. However the study will be delimited to Emohua Local Government Area.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
As every human endeavor is once faced with a constraint, the same was tenable during the period of this study. In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. In addition, there was the element of researcher bias. Here, the researcher possessed some biases that may have been reflected in the way the data was collected, the type of people interviewed or sampled, and how the data gathered was interpreted thereafter. The potential for all this to influence the findings and conclusions could not be downplayed. More so, the findings of this study are limited to the sample population in the study area, hence they may not be suitable for use in comparison to other tertiary institutions in other , states, and other countries in the world.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Election:
This is the system of selecting leaders and political representatives in a state through campaign and election.
Democracy:
The concept democracy originated from Greek, which means ‘demos’ implies common people, the masses, and ‘kratos’ which means ‘power’. Democracy can be seen as political system which enables the self rule of a country’s population in which the will of the majority of the people is the law of the land in every regard. There are three basic principles of democracy which includes universal participation, political equation and majority rule. Janda et al (1999) this three (3) principles are widely recognized as necessary in democratic decision making.
Democratic Consolidation:
Francis (1999) defined democratic consolidation as an ongoing process and lead in struggles to consolidate and extend the realization of democratic principles. The word consolidation means to make a position of power stronger. In other words, democratic consolidation can be seen as a process of strengthening democratic system in a country.
1.10 Organization of the Studies
The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study, sample size determination, sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.
Chapter Five
Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations:
5.1 Introduction
This chapter summarizes the findings on voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections. The chapter consists of summary of the study, conclusions, and recommendations.
5.2 Summary of the Study
In this study, our focus was to examine voters apathy and democratic consolidation in Nigeria a case study of 2023 general elections. The study specifically was aimed at to determine the level of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, identify the causes of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, and ascertain the effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
The study adopted the survey research design and randomly enrolled participants in the study. A total of 141 responses were validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents are residents of Emohua Local Government Area.
5.3 Conclusions
Based on the findings of this study, the researcher made the following conclusion.
- The level of voters apathy during the 2023 general elections in Nigeria is high.
- The causes of voters apathy in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria includes: educational background, nature of jobs, political violence, dishonesty of politicians, government not providing basic amenities.
- The effects of voters apathy on democratic consolidation in Nigeria includes: political apathy mitigates the idea democracy, poor turnout of voters, poor leadership structure, increases corruption, conflicts, bad government.
5.4 Recommendations
Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations are proffered.
- There is urgent need for political education in Nigeria especially the people in the riverine and rural areas. Political education should not be limited to the school system. Both formal and informal approaches should be adopted to orientate the citizens on the need for active participation in the political system. There is the need for mass political enlightenment through the media, adult education programme and civil associations. The citizens should be conscious of the danger of their political apathy.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission should put in place machinery that will ensure mass participation of the electorates during future elections in Nigeria. INEC should be more transparent and impartial at every stage of the electioneering process. The electoral process should be devoid of sentiment, favoritism, fraud, violence and intimidation. Anyone who violates electoral procedure and policies should immediately be brought to book.
- Political class must not see public office as avenue of siphoning public fund. Public offices should be used to serve the people. Also, government should increase their involvement in the rural development. In this regard, provision of basic amenities such as roads, electricity, pipe-borne water, schools etc should be vigorously pursued. This will make life very easy for the rural dwellers and increase their participation in the business of politics. Invariably, this will help to install sanity and confidence in the electoral process and thereby enhance political participation in the rural areas and communities.

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