The prognoses of the 2011 electoral violence in Nigeria and the lessons for the future

Abstract

Elections is undisputable an essential element of democracy. Election through the ballot is strongly recognized as the only credible barometer to determine power sharing and one of the most important features of democratic transition in free and fair election. However the Nigeria electoral process over the years is characterized by thuggery, intimidation, insecurity, rigging, snatching of ballot box and killing. This paper employed a secondary source of data collection in examining the Nigerian electoral violence with a closer look at the 2011 general elections which was adjudged by many observers as the most credible and fairest in Nigerian history, and ironically the election was among the bloodiest ever in the country. The studies assess the causes and gravity of the 2011 electoral violence with a view to recommending ways of curbing future recurrence.