CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The beauty of democracy depends not on the number of registered political parties in a country but rather on the degree of popular participation in the democratic process. In his search for the best form of government, John Stuart Mill (1861:340) opined that „there is no difficulty in showing that the ideal best form of government is that in which the sovereignty or supreme controlling power in the last resort is vested in the entire aggregate of the community; every citizen not only having a voice in the exercise of that ultimate sovereignty but called on to take an actual part in the government”. Taking an actual part in the government does not mean that every citizen will have a portfolio in government house and begin to govern. It implies that every adult, citizen has a compulsory role to play in the choice of who governs either by contesting or by voting credible representatives to form the ruling class. In other words, every citizen must play a part in the democratic process. Robert Dahl (1989:102), argues that effective participation is a criterion for the perfect democratic governance. Voting at elections is one of the easiest ways for citizens to participate in the democratic process. According to Huntington (1991:661), a political system is democratic to the extent that its most powerful collective decision-makers are selected through fair, honest and periodic elections in which candidates freely compete for votes and in which virtually all the adult population is eligible to vote.

        Unfortunately, the spate of bombings, kidnapping, massive fraud and harassment associated with the electoral process in Nigeria not only tarnish the image of our democracy, they also grossly affect voters‟ interest in politics. Voting, which is an important ingredient of democracy, is thus seen as the business of party supporters and political thugs who are paid peanuts to turn the whole process of election into a violence-packed political jamboree suitable for only fiendish individuals with violent minds. This unfortunate political trend in the country does not encourage popular participation in politics. Many Nigerians now see politics as a dirty game and so believe that active participation in political activities is tantamount to embarking on a journey of no return. The true meaning of politics has been wrongly interpreted by the attitudinal expressions of our politicians who venture into politics not with the mind to serve but to be served. They interpret politics to mean a platform for selfish aggrandizement of wealth and fame. Winning of elections in Nigeria does not depend on the people‟s choice but on the number of political thugs, cultists, political god-fathers and mothers at the disposal of public office contestants. This ugly scenario has far-reaching implications for our nascent democracy and national security. Refusing to take part in politics does not and will never solve the problem of electoral violence in the country. Instead, an apathetic citizenry will only fan the fire of systematic electoral violence lubricated by systemic corruption. This study thus investigates the dangers inherent in political apathy and recommends full political participation as an antidote to electoral violence in Nigeria.

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The menace of electoral violence is usually higher in the northern part of the country. There are so many causative agents of electoral violence; it could be the influence of election rigging, godfatherism, and a lot more. The result of these activities above could lead to voter not turning out during election. The level of political apathy in the northern part of the country is usually higher than any other part of the country. The Christians in the northern part of Nigeria tend to stay indoors to avoid being use as specimen retaliation during electoral violence. Lastly some researchers have been based on electoral violence and political apathy but none of these studies was able to determine the nature of the relationship between electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria. It is to this regard that this study is based on electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria using kebbe local government of sokoto state as the case study.

1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the research work is to examine electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. to determine the relationship between electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria in kebbe local government
2. to determine the causes of electoral violence in kebbe local government, Sokoto State
3. to determine the extent to which electoral violence affects the voters participation during kebbe local government 2019 election
4. to determine the level of turn out during election in kebbe local government, Sokoto State

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The study came up with research questions so as to ascertain the above stated objectives of the study. The following research questions guide the objectives of the study:

1. What is the relationship between electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria in kebbe local government?
2. What are the causes of electoral violence in kebbe local government, Sokoto State?
3. To what extent has electoral violence affected the voters participation during kebbe local government 2019 election?
4. What is the level of turn out during election in kebbe local government, Sokoto State?

1.5 STATEMENT OF THE HYPOTHESIS

H0: there is no significant relationship between electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria in kebbe local government

H1: there is significant relationship between electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria in kebbe local government

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The study on electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria will be of immense benefit to the entire kebbe local government. The study will explore electoral violence and how it affects political apathy in Nigeria. The findings of the study will determine the causes of electoral violence and proffer a lasting solution. The study will also serve as a repository of information to other researchers that desire to carry out similar research on the above topic. Finally the study will contribute to the body of the existing literature on electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will cover on electoral violence and political apathy in Nigeria with focus on the 2019 general election in kebbe local government of Sokoto State, Nigeria

1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work

1.9 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Election: 

An election is a formal decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office.
Electoral Violence: 

The international foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) defines electoral violence as any harm or threat of harm to any person or property involved in the election process, or the process itself, during the election period. 

Political apathy: Political apathy is a feeling of disinterest in the sense of politics or apathy towards politics. It can consist of interest apathy, voter apathy, and information apathy. It can be categorized as the indifference of an individual and a lack of interest in participating in political activities