Election Conflicts, National Security and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: An Interrogative Perspective

Abstract

This paper examines the recurring phenomenon of election conflicts and its implications for national security in Nigeria. It interrogates the drivers for election conflicts and the attendant effects of such on consolidation of democracy in the fourth republic. Using a combination of observations, literature review and content analysis and the causal-driver theory as framework of analysis, the paper establishes and reaffirms the recurring conflicts that have trailed the conduct of elections in Nigeria as constituting major drawbacks for national security and consolidation of democracy in the world’s most populous black nation. It argues that the intense struggle and contestation for power that often characterised Nigeria’s electoral process creates a fertile ground for unbridled animosities among different factions of the political class with propensity to undermine national security and decelerate the country’s democratic progress. Successive elections in the country have produced leaders that failed to give adequate attention to addressing the basic needs and collective aspirations of Nigerians resulting to heightened tensions and conflicts. The paper identifies renewed vigour and commitment to a more transparent election management as well as building of elite consensus that is anchored on political tolerance, fairness and unhindered inclusivity in the democratic game as pivotal to averting perennial conflicts associated with the conduct of elections in Nigeria.