IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )

E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 10. NO. 4 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.v10.no4.2024.pg33.42

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Elections and Human Security: The Nigeria Experience

Dimkpa, Boniface Maduakolam ESQ, (PhD) and Nwobi, Kizito Chidera and Aforkwalam, Augustine

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Abstract

Since the attainment of political independence in 1960 and the return to democracy in 1999, elections in Nigeria have remained a security threat. These ranges from loss of lives, carting away of ballot boxes and other election materials, use of thugs to disrupt election and harassing political opponents, shootings and killings have been common features of elections. The saying and assertion that election could be free, fair and credible have been in doubt. This paper examines election and security challenges in previous elections in Nigeria and also proffers positive solutions on how to conduct future elections without threat to people's lives and properties. The specific objective of the study is to unravel the challenges of human security on future elections in Nigeria by providing level playing ground where citizens are free to participate without threat to their lives. The theoretical framework of choice in this study is the human security theory which was expounded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the year 1994. Data were collected through secondary sources while historical and descriptive methods were used in its analysis. My findings is that over- zealousness and over ambition of our politicians are responsible for human insecurity in our elections. We recommend that political positions should be made less attractive so as to reduce do or die tendencies.

keywords:

Election, Security, Nigeria, Challenges, Political positions.

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