Election Integrity: How Free and Fair Are Nigerian Elections?

 

Introduction

Election integrity is the cornerstone of any democratic society. Free and fair elections ensure that the will of the people is accurately reflected in the leadership chosen to govern them. However, in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, concerns about electoral fraud, violence, and institutional weaknesses have repeatedly raised questions about the credibility of elections. This article examines the state of election integrity in Nigeria, analyzing key challenges, recent developments, and recommendations for improvement.  

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous democracy, has held regular elections since its return to civilian rule in 1999. These elections are expected to reflect the will of the people, but the lingering question remains: How free and fair are Nigerian elections?

Historical Context of Nigerian Elections

Since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, elections have been marred by allegations of rigging, voter intimidation, and logistical failures. While some progress has been made—such as the introduction of biometric voter accreditation (BVAS) and the electronic transmission of results in the 2023 elections—significant concerns remain.  

According to the Electoral Integrity Project’s (EIP) 2023 Global Report, Nigeria ranks poorly in electoral fairness, scoring below the global average in areas like voter registration, campaign finance transparency, and media bias. The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) has also highlighted issues such as vote-buying, insecurity, and judicial interference in election disputes.  

Key Challenges to Free and Fair Elections in Nigeria  

1. Electoral Violence and Insecurity  

Election periods in Nigeria are often characterized by violence. The 2023 general elections, for instance, saw attacks on polling units in Lagos, Rivers, and Kano states, with reports of thugs disrupting voting and intimidating voters. The CLEEN Foundation reported over 200 incidents of election-related violence during the polls.  

2. Vote-Buying and Corruption

Vote-buying remains a major threat to election integrity. A 2023 report by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) revealed that political parties and their agents openly engaged in financial inducements to sway voters, particularly in rural areas.  

3. Logistical and Technical Failures  

Despite the introduction of BVAS by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), technical glitches and delays in uploading results in the 2023 elections fueled mistrust. Opposition parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused INEC of compromising the process.  

4. Judicial Influence on Election Outcomes Nigeria’s judiciary has played an increasingly controversial role in determining election winners. The 2023 presidential election petition tribunal and subsequent Supreme Court ruling upholding President Bola Tinubu’s victory sparked debates about judicial impartiality.  

Progress and Reforms 

Despite these challenges, some improvements have been recorded:  

BVAS and IReV: The use of technology has reduced over-voting and manual manipulation.  

- Increased Voter Awareness: Civil society organizations like Yiaga Africa and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) have enhanced voter education.  

* Legal Reforms:

The 2022 Electoral Act introduced measures to improve transparency, though full implementation remains weak.  

Recommendations for Strengthening Election Integrity

  

1. Enhanced Security Measures: The government must ensure adequate security to prevent violence and voter suppression.  

2. Strict Enforcement of Anti-Corruption Laws: INEC and anti-graft agencies should clamp down on vote-buying and financial inducements.  

3. Judicial Reforms: The judiciary must demonstrate impartiality in election disputes to restore public confidence.  

4. Civic Education: Continuous voter education is needed to empower citizens to resist manipulation.  

5. International Oversight: Partnerships with organizations like the African Union (AU) and ECOWAS can provide independent monitoring.  

Conclusion 

While Nigeria has made some strides in improving its electoral process, significant gaps remain in ensuring free, fair, and credible elections. Strengthening institutions, leveraging technology, and fostering a culture of transparency are critical steps toward restoring trust in Nigeria’s democracy.  

The 2027 elections present another opportunity for Nigeria to prove its commitment to electoral integrity—but only if lessons from past failures are genuinely addressed.  

References

- Electoral Integrity Project (2023)  

- Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) Report (2023)  

- CLEEN Foundation Election Security Report (2023)  

- International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) Nigeria Assessment  

- Yiaga Africa’s Election Observation Reports  

Comrade Okonta Emeka Okelum is an online journalist covering governance, democracy, and electoral reforms in Nigeria.  

The Role of Citizens in Strengthening Democracy in Nigeria

 

Unlike a dictatorship, a democratic government exists to serve the people, but citizens in democracies must also agree to abide by the rules and obligations by which they are governed. Democracies grant many freedoms to their citizens including the freedom to dissent and criticize the government.

Citizenship in a democracy requires participation, civility, and even patience.

Democratic citizens recognize that they not only have rights, they have responsibilities. They recognize that democracy requires an investment of time and hard work -- a government of the people demands constant vigilance and support by the people.

Democracies need more than an occasional vote from their citizens to remain healthy. They need the steady attention, time, and commitment of large numbers of their citizens who, in turn, look to the government to protect their rights and freedoms.

Citizens in a democracy join political parties and campaign for the candidates of their choice. They accept the fact that their party may not always be in power.

They are free to run for office or serve as appointed public officials for a time.
They utilize a free press to speak out on local and national issues.

They join labor unions, community groups, and business associations.
They join private voluntary organizations that share their interests -- whether devoted to religion, ethnic culture, academic study, sports, the arts, literature, neighborhood improvement, international student exchanges, or a hundred other different activities.

All these groups -- no matter how close to, or remote from government -- contribute to the richness and health of their democracy .

Democracy thrives not only through the actions of elected leaders and institutions but through the active participation and vigilance of citizens.

In Nigeria, where democracy has continued to evolve since the return to civilian rule in 1999, the role of citizens remains crucial in ensuring its survival and strengthening its core values. Find below a list of roles citizens play within democratic cultures.

1. Civic Participation and Electoral Engagement

One of the most fundamental roles citizens play in a democracy is participating in elections. By registering to vote, turning out on election day, and making informed choices, Nigerians exercise the power of the ballot to determine their leaders. Despite challenges such as voter apathy, electoral violence, and mistrust in the process, the steady increase in voter registration figures signals a growing awareness among citizens. According to INEC, over 93 million Nigerians registered to vote in the 2023 general elections.

Moreover, beyond just voting, citizens are increasingly taking part in election observation, voter education campaigns, and engaging with political candidates through social media and town hall meetings.

2. Holding Leaders Accountable

A vibrant democracy requires active scrutiny of public officials. Nigerian citizens, through civil society organizations, the media, and grassroots movements, have held government accountable on issues such as corruption, mismanagement of public funds, and poor service delivery. Platforms like BudgIT and Follow The Money have empowered Nigerians to track government expenditure and demand transparency.

Whistleblowing, peaceful protests, and open letters to leaders have become common methods of civic action. The #EndSARS protests of 2020, for example, demonstrated the power of collective voice in demanding police reforms and respect for human rights.

3. Promoting Rule of Law and Social Justice

Democracy flourishes in an environment where the rule of law prevails. Citizens strengthen democracy by respecting laws, defending human rights, and speaking against injustice. Public support for judicial independence, fair policing, and freedom of expression is crucial.

Legal advocacy groups like SERAP (Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project) and NGOs such as Amnesty International Nigeria rely on citizens' engagement to push for reforms and legal actions that promote justice and equity.

4. Community Development and Inclusive Governance

Democracy is more than politics; it is about improving lives. Nigerians strengthen democracy by taking initiative in their communities—through volunteerism, supporting local development projects, and contributing to policy dialogues.

Citizens' involvement in town unions, local government budget hearings, and community-led monitoring of public services has led to better health care, education, and infrastructure delivery in many areas.

Additionally, advocating for inclusive governance—ensuring that women, youth, and people with disabilities have a seat at the table—is vital for a representative democracy.

5. Digital Engagement and Advocacy

In today’s digital era, social media platforms have become powerful tools for democratic engagement. Nigerians use Twitter (now X), Facebook, WhatsApp, and other platforms to voice opinions, fact-check politicians, and organize civic actions. Hashtags like #NotTooYoungToRun, #OpenNASS, and #FixPolitics have sparked national conversations and policy changes.

However, digital citizens must also promote responsible usage by combating fake news, hate speech, and cyberbullying which threaten democratic stability.

Conclusion

The responsibility of nurturing Nigeria's democracy does not rest on politicians alone. From the polling booth to the courtroom, the market square to social media, Nigerian citizens must remain active participants in the democratic process. As former U.S. President Barack Obama once said, “The most important office in a democracy is the office of the citizen.” For Nigeria to build a strong, inclusive, and resilient democracy, her citizens must remain engaged, informed, and courageous.

References:

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – www.inecnigeria.org

BudgIT Nigeria – www.yourbudgit.com

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) – www.serap-nigeria.org

Amnesty International Nigeria – www.amnesty.org.ng

Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) – www.cddwestafrica.org

YIAGA Africa – www.yiaga.org

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Good Governance: Lessons Nigeria Can Learn from Other Nations

 

INTRODUCTION 

Governance refers to all processes of governing, the institutions, processes, and practices through which issues of common concern are decided upon and regulated. Good governance adds a normative or evaluative attribute to the process of governing. 

Good governance has become a cornerstone of sustainable development, peace, and societal progress across the globe. 

For Nigeria, a country rich in human and natural resources but plagued by systemic governance challenges, the concept of good governance is both a necessity and an urgent priority. As we navigate the complexities of democracy in the 21st century, examining what good governance entails and learning from global examples can provide a roadmap for transformative change.

From a human rights perspective, it refers primarily to the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources, and guarantee the realisation of human rights.  

UNDERSTANDING GOOD GOVERNANCE 

While there is no internationally agreed definition of 'good governance', it may span the following topics: full respect of human rights; the rule of law; effective/meaningful citizenship participation; multi-actor partnerships; political pluralism; transparent and accountable processes and institutions; an efficient and effective public sector; legitimacy; access to knowledge, information and education; political empowerment of people; equity; sustainability; as well as attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and tolerance.

Good governance refers to the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented).

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) outlines the key characteristics of good governance as participation; rule of law; transparency; responsiveness; consensus orientation; equity and inclusiveness; effectiveness and efficiency; and accountability

The World Bank adds that good governance ensures that political, social, and economic priorities are based on broad consensus in society and that the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable are heard in decision-making.

In summary, good governance relates to the political and institutional processes and outcomes that are necessary to achieve the goals of development. The true test of 'good' governance is the degree to which it delivers on the promise of human rights: civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights. The key question is: Are the institutions of governance effectively guaranteeing the right to health, adequate housing, sufficient food, quality education, fair justice, and personal security?

NIGERIA'S GOVERNANCE LANDSCAPE 

Since its return to democratic rule in 1999, Nigeria has made strides in building democratic institutions.

However, challenges such as corruption, weak institutions, lack of accountability, and poor public service delivery continue to undermine development efforts. 

The 2023 Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance (IIAG) ranked Nigeria below average in key areas such as rule of law, participation, and transparency.

WHAT NIGERIA CAN LEARN FROM OTHER NATIONS 

1. Rwanda – Accountability and Anti-Corruption Drive.

Rwanda has become a model in Africa for tackling corruption and improving public service efficiency. The Rwanda Governance Board regularly assesses institutions for compliance and performance. President Paul Kagame's zero-tolerance stance on corruption has transformed Rwanda’s civil service culture, something Nigeria can emulate by strengthening anti-corruption agencies and ensuring independence from political influence.

2. Singapore – Visionary Leadership and Meritocracy.

Under the leadership of the late Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore transitioned from a poor country to a global economic powerhouse. Key to this transformation was visionary leadership, a strict anti-corruption stance, and a focus on meritocracy in public appointments. Nigeria must prioritize competence over political patronage in leadership selection.

3. Estonia – Digital Governance and Transparency.

Estonia is known for its digital governance model, where almost all government services are online, enhancing transparency and citizen engagement. Nigeria can invest in digital infrastructure to improve service delivery, fight corruption, and close the gap between government and citizens.

4. Botswana – Rule of Law and Institutional Strengthening.

Botswana remains one of Africa’s most stable democracies, largely due to respect for the rule of law and strong, independent institutions. Nigeria’s judiciary and law enforcement agencies must be reformed to become more independent and credible in upholding justice.

5. Sweden – Participatory Governance and Welfare Policies.

Sweden exemplifies inclusive governance where citizens actively participate in policymaking and benefit from well-planned welfare programs. Nigeria can strengthen civic participation through community engagement, decentralized governance, and inclusive policy frameworks.

CONCLUSION

For Nigeria to achieve the dividends of democracy and sustainable development, good governance must go beyond political rhetoric. It must become a practical commitment evident in actions, institutions, and leadership. 

Learning from global best practices and tailoring them to local realities can significantly enhance Nigeria’s governance outcomes. The time to act is now—citizens, leaders, and institutions must work together to build a Nigeria where governance truly works for all.

REFERENCES 

1) United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (1997). Governance for Sustainable Human Development.

2) World Bank. (1992). Governance and Development.

3) Mo Ibrahim Foundation. (2023). Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

4) Rwanda Governance Board. (2022). Rwanda Governance Scorecard.

5) Lee Kuan Yew. (2013). One Man’s View of the World.

6) E-Governance Academy (Estonia). www.ega.ee

7) Transparency International – Corruption Perceptions Index. (2023)