THE ROLES OF RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE MANAGEMENT OF POST ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Authors:
Prof. Femi Omotoso & Samuel Babatola Ayiti
Abstract:
The election is one of the most important features of democratic governance in the world and the process ought to be violent free. However, post-independence Nigeria has witnessed much of the electoral violence with attendant casualties. The relevant stakeholders in electoral matters have played significant roles in making or marring the electoral process. In most cases, they have acted as triggers of post-election violence in the country. The importance of the electoral umpire, professionalism of the media organizations, effectiveness of security agencies, and integrity of the judiciary, a commitment of political parties, the effective participation of electorates and the sincerity of government are critical factors in the management of post-election violence in the country. However, all these critical stakeholders cannot be said to be above board in this regard. In other words, the roles of these stakeholders have in one way or other been called to question. The paper adopts descriptive and historical approaches and utilizes both primary and secondary data sources to analyse the issues relating to the management of post-election violence in Nigeria. The paper argues that election management is a major issue in democratic governance that requires the commitment of all the stakeholders towards achieving a peaceful electoral process. It notes that there is observed lacuna in the activities of the stakeholders that encouraged violence. This was found to be dysfunctional to good governance and development in the country. The paper, therefore, concludes that more training and sensitization should be conducted for the stakeholders with a view to nipping in the bud the remote and immediate causes of election violence to prevent reoccurrence.