Electoral Malpractices And Crises In Nigeria: Historical Perspectives

Abstract

This paper dicusses electoral malpractice and crises in Nigeria. The introduction of the Clifford constitution of 1992 marked the beginning of electioneering activities with the introduction of the elective principle by virtue of which four (4) Nigerians (three from Lagos and one from Calabar) were elected into the white dominated legislative council. Franchise was later extended to other parts of the country by subsequent constitutions. The most remarkable election held prior to independence was that of 1959, the general elections that put into place the first democratically elected and constituted post-independence government of Nigeria. A number of factors were involved in the election and its consequences have continued to affect the composition and running of successive governments in Nigeria up till today. The desire to control the central government made the various parties, especially the three leading ones to resort to various methods in order to win the election. However, the first pronounced electoral malpractices and the attendant crises was witnessed during the 1964 general election as well as during the 1965 western region elections. Subsequent elections with the exception of the June 12, 1993 Presidential election (the only one adjudged both internally and internationally to be the freest and fairest in  the history of Nigeria) has continued to follow the same pattern whereby a win at all cost has continued to be the syndrome. The objective of this paper is to look at the menace of electoral malpractices-its causes, cases and effects on the nation’s body politics and proffer a workable solution for the future.