CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Democracy, today, is unarguably the most preferred form of government the world over. One of its cardinal principles is the participation of the people by making a choice on who governs them (Elaigwu, 2014). Hence, it is germane that a functioning democracy requires an informed and active public that understands how to voice its interests, act collectively, and hold government officials accountable through credible electoral process (National Democratic Institute, 2013). This can also be achieved through democratic participation, debate, and, most importantly through voting at elections.

Elections involve a set of activities leading to the selection of one or more persons out of many to serve in positions of authority in a society. Political scientists and development theorists link free, fair and credible elections to democratic governance, peace and development. In brief, they argue that free, fair and credible elections provide the basis for the emergence of democratic, accountable and legitimate governments with the capacity to initiate and implement clearly articulated development programmes. It can be argued that credible elections are, therefore, sine qua non for democratic governance, political stability and national development.

The first Nigeria’s attempt to practice parliamentary democracy was at independence in 1960 which was interrupted by a military coup in 1966 (Dudley, 2014). In 1979, Nigeria made a transition from military rule to presidential democracy. Again, the democratic government was removed via a military coup in 1983, the third democratic experiment in Nigeria began in 1989 but was aborted in 1993 following the annulment of the presidential election, which would have marked the highpoint of the transition (Joseph, 2013). Following intense domestic and international pressures on the military government, as well as the demise of the then military Head of State General Sani Abacha, the military government finally relinquished power to an elected civilian government in May 1999 (Osaghae, 2015). Since 1999, elections have become more regular in Nigeria, between 1999 and 2017; the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had conducted five consecutive general elections for the first time in the Nigeria’s political history.

The main focus of the research work is on the role of credible election on the consolidation of democracy in Anambra state from 2013 to 2017. When it comes to general elections, Anambra goes into frenzy. Most times, to emerge as a political party candidate exerts as much as the main election. As the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, conducts the governorship election in the state next week it is left to be imagined the atmosphere in the state as campaigns peak. Every candidate appears loaded and sufficiently helmed round about by the powers that be in the state as they canvass for votes and head to the polls on the days of election.

As the men get separated from the boys, the contest for the new occupant of Government House, Awka appears streamlined, revolving around the incumbent governor Willie Obiano of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Chief Oseloka Obaze of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Anthony Nwoye of the APC and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka of the United Peoples Party, UPP. The contestants appear headed for a show down as each of them talks tough and unleashes campaign promises to sway voters to his side. And in a general election as this the sleep vocation has become a detestable luxury to the candidates and their avowed supporters, hence the heightened political activities – rallies, meetings, visitations – in different communities and local government areas. As the candidates hit the road issues that shape the election have expectedly been dominating the rhetoric of the campaign and discussions and appear to point to the voting pattern.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

The dissatisfaction that reflected in the barrage of litigations brought before the election tribunals and courts as well as the number of election results that are nullified suggests the need to interrogate the significance of election within the democratic process. The challenges of governance in Anambra State are not mutually exclusive of those of other states in the country, but as expected, there are peculiarities which on close observation point to the priorities that will define the attitudes of voters in the election. This is necessary especially against the backdrop of democratic rule in Africa collapsing through disputes over elections. Good governance is appealing at all times and in all climes. But it is more so in Anambra. Vivacious, energetic and enigmatic the people need minimum government to attain – just a conducive environment to ply their trade/vocation. On this flank are the twin issues of security of lives and property and infrastructural development, particularly roads.

1.3 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

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

1. What are the roles credible election in the protection of lives and socio-economic development in Anambra State?
2. What are the factors affecting credible election on consolidation of democracy in Anambra State?
3. What is the effect of credible election on infrastructural safety and development in Anambra State?
4. Does the political crisis arising from the conduct of 2013 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State undermine the consolidation of democracy in the State?

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main aim of the study is examine the role of credible of the consolidation of democracy in Ananmbra State election from 2013 to 2017. Other specific objectives of the study are:

1. to examine the role credible election in the protection of lives and socio-economic development in Anambra State
2. to investigate on the factors affecting credible election on consolidation of democracy in Anambra State
3. to determine the effect of credible election on infrastructural safety and development in Anambra State
4. to examine whether political crisis arising from the conduct of 2013 gubernatorial elections in Anambra State undermine the consolidation of democracy in the State.
5. to proffer solution to the above state problem

1.5 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0: credible election does not influence consolidation of democracy in Anambra State from 2013 to 2017

H1: credible election influences consolidation of democracy in Anambra State from 2013 to 2017

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

The significance of this timely and topical study is twofold: practical and academic. Practically, this study will be of paramount importance to the elections management bodies in Nigeria especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the registered political parties, authorities of the non-governmental organizations especially the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG), the national and state governments as well as the general public for the following reasons:

• The study will help highlight the impact of the nature and character of the Nigerian State as well as the ruling elite on the electoral process and democratic consolidation in Nigeria. 
• The study will help publicize the actors that were involved in the 2013 electoral fraud in Nigeria especially in Anambra State and the consequent political crisis the fraud left in its wake in the state.  The study will bring into limelight also the aspect(s) of our legal and constitutional frameworks that aided the perpetration of electoral fraud in the 2013 elections in Anambra State. 
• The study will enlighten the general public on the inextricable link between free and fair elections and consolidation of democratic practice, as well as the centrality of openness and transparency if free and fair election is to be achieved.  With this study, it is intended that the Federal Government through, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will be galvanized to carry out a vigorous appraisal of the 2013 elections especially in the areas of electoral fraud in Anambra State.

1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY

The study will cover the role of credible of the consolidation of democracy in Ananmbra State election from 2013 to 2017

1.8 LIMITATION OF 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.