Electoral Reforms and 2023 General Elections in Nigeria: Lessons for African Countries

Abstract

Many Africa nations have recently be under attack by coup actions, which has once again put the continent in negative light globally, this calls for a need to sustain democracy in the continent. Since Nigeria’s return to civil rule in 1999, the country has continuously developed its electoral reform to empower its democracy. African countries could embrace some of these reforms’ components to consolidate democracy. This study assessed electoral reforms in Nigeria to highlight the lessons other African countries can gain for sustainable development in the continent. The study utilised secondary data, while qualitative mechanism was adopted to analyse the data collected. The study adopted the resource mobilization theory and found that the components of Nigeria electoral reforms include financial autonomy of the electoral umpire; introduction of electronic processes; exclusion of political appointees from acting as voting delegates or aspirants and constant improvement through reforms. The study concludes that Africa countries’ adoption of components of Nigeria electoral reforms will substantially enrich Africa’s electoral process and make it more credible and resilient. The study recommends the various stakeholders (electorate, aspirants, government officials, members of Election Management Body and the public) to work judiciously for improved elections in Africa.