CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Political Violence is not a new household issue in Nigeria and even the world over. When we turn on the television or pick up a newspaper both national and international, we are regularly inundated with the vision of a world in disarray; images of ethnic cleansing in the central Africa Republic, demonstration in Burundi, Sudan, Somali and the Middle East crises.
In fact, political violence has engulfed nearly every state of the Federation. If this is not carefully and effectively managed, it will become a serious security threat to the survival of our nascent democracy and the unity of the country at large.
Elections are the essential ingredients of a representative democracy that by and large prevails across the world. A modern vision of democracy therefore entails the notion of elections as the primary means by which the electorates choose their representatives in government directly or indirectly through voting. It is therefore an indispensable part of democracy. Democracy is a political system with a relating equitable distribution of political power that is marked by government accountability, power checks and balances, and systematic openness to fair political competition.
According to Iyayi (2004) election comes through democracy and not merely what happens on a policy day, but encompasses activities before, during and after elections. Based on the facts that are intensely competitive events, political parties contest to determine access to power resources and future direction of a given state.
According to Musa (2014) elections are guided by rules and regulations designed to ensure certain degree of fairness and justice to all involved in the competition. This is one of the mechanisms designed to avoid electoral frauds including political violent confrontation in determining the question of succession and legitimacy in a political system,
It is thus, ironic that, the use of violence in elections is either by political parties contesting elections themselves or external agents, especially in developing countries like Nigeria where polities is regarded as welfare and election as bottles tend to be common. For the fact, politics deals with parties’ acquisition and allocation of resources, the instinct and urge for political violence becomes an insurable reality in social engineering.
In developing country like Nigeria where the nature of their prevailing economic conditions is characterized by a high degree of economic and social inequalities, politics is a literary war. This brought an argument that unequal distribution of resources and power among people or groups within African countries create mistrust, insecurity and hatred among disadvantaged and the advantages groups (Hembe, 2003).
In a similar vain, Anifowose (1982) states that the increasing frequency of violence’s is largely because it serve as a means of securing political objectives by contenders for political power in Nigeria. In other words the basis of this political violence seems to be in the struggle for control over resources and access to political office. The trend is not a recent phenomenon. Thuggery, brutality and violent political behaviour have been with us several decades.
The history of modern democratic principles of election in Nigeria maybe traced to the colonial era when educated people through the process of struggling forced the colonial regime which grudgingly and in peace meal stages introduced the elective principle that are part and parcel of the electoral process and without which democracy serve the purpose. However, the colonial taunt and criteria to stand fir elective posts set the pace for a dangerous trend in election including tenacity and political violence.
It is in view of the above background that, this research work examine political violence and the future of Nigeria democracy 1999- 2015, with the necessary information that would help assiduously to deal with these problem so as to provide stable democratic transition as well as attainment of a long – term goal of consolidated democracy for future.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Sustenance of Nigerian Democracy is essential for the future, but the nature and magnitude of political violence since 1999-2015 has left more questions unanswered about consolidation of democratic government and tenant like free, fair and credible election, participation, accountability and transparency in Nigeria.
In Nigeria polities how a candidate wins an elections does not really matter if he/she belongs to the right political party. Therefore there is this saying among political stalwarts that it is the end that justifies the means and not the means that justify the end. The political elites in Nigeria would go to any length to ensure the victory of their candidates. To this extent they are involved in the recruitment of political thugs who are mostly the unemployed youths and known and unknown hooligans. They also employ mercenaries with arm to intimidate, harass and molest their political opponents.
Added to the above is the notorious winner-take-all-syndrome obtainable in Nigeria polities. This attitude of the politicians does not allow for any serious opposition as such opposition will be crushed and silenced using the instrumentality of governance. In this way, political office seekers and their sponsors use all means known to them to ensure that they win in election. Thus political violence at election period has become a recurring phenomenon.
Since there birth of democracy in 1999, Nigeria still struggle for credible elections. The process of democratization is a great concerned to Nigerians as well recurring political violence that comes with every, general elections since 1999. Political violence has occurred in Nigeria especially during political campaigns, election day and post – election period. What therefore are the consequences of political violence to the future of Nigerian democracy?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study basically are to
(i) Examine certain factors responsible for political violence.
(ii) Identifies the dangers of political violence.
(iii) To bring to focus the importance of peaceful – co-existence among Nigeria ethnic groups.
(iv) To suggest possible ways that could strengthen our democratization process.
1.4 Research Propositions
In an attempt to solve the research problems posed in this study, some research propositions were posited. These propositions which are mere tentative, speculative statements include the following:
- The understanding of the effects of political violence would enable politician to re-shape the future of Nigeria democracy.
- The very nature of political violence in Nigeria is a factor in retarding credible candidates and credible elections.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significant of this research work is to add to the general body of knowledge. Enlighten the general public on the assessment political violence and future of Nigerian Democracy (1999- 2015).
Also, this study is poised to investigate or assess the factors responsible for political violence in Nigeria, with emphasis particularly since 1999-2015.
The significance of this research work will enlighten the general public on the following:
(a) To evaluate the essence consolidating Nigeria Democracy.
(b) Assist scholars, students and researchers on the area of political violence epoch in Nigeria.
(c) To show to politicians the need to embrace peace co-existence during and after elections.
(d) To bring to light the state of the Nigerian Democracy status and encourage the masses to enable the spirit of love.
(e) Serve as reference point to policy makers the need to ensure peaceful transition of government.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is designed to examine political violence and the future of Nigerian Democracy from 1999-2015. Focus would be on Nigerian democratic transition and political violence within the period of 1999-2015. The scope of this study is the fourth republic. However, examples and references are drawn from other previous republic periods which share common historical experiences with the fourth republic.
As in any social science and scientific research, this study has some limitations. This research work is limited by a number of factors and these include the following: this study was limited by financial constraints which made it a bit difficult to travel round to some part of Nigeria.
Another limitation was time frame a combination of school programme, and research work of this magnitude needs ample time which was lacking. Again, assessing all the materials needed for the study was not quite easy; this is solely as a result of human nature not willing to give out the entire information for researchers needs for a study.
1.7 Research Methodology
As a social science research, the mode of data collection and interpretative is basically influenced by the availability of documentary source. This means that a good proportion of the information about the research will be derived from textbooks, journals, magazines, newspapers, bulleting, monographs, the internet and other materials that are relevant to the study. The relevance of such documents cannot be overemphasized. This is because documents not only describe contemporary events but also help to reveal how these events have appeared to those living through them, from the foregoing, it is obvious that, in the cause of this research study, secondary method of data collection was used or adopted. Secondary sources of data shall be employed for this study. This secondary source is otherwise known as content analysis. This is were the sources of this work would basically be derived from.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Democracy: This is government of the people, by the people for the people.
Politics: This entails the process of interest and power sharing among political actors
Elite: This entails a group of people in a society who are powerful and have a lot of influence politically, economically etc.
Violence: This can be seen as the total breakdown of law and order that result in destruction of life and properties.
Development: Development is a progressive movement or change in quantity and qualities.
Political Parties: This is an association of men and women who came together to contest for political position through election and form government.
Election: This is the process of contesting for position, where two or more people via for election allowed people to choose their respective leaders or representative in government or otherwise.
1.9 Organization of the Study
The study is organized into five chapters. The first chapter deals with the basic introduction of the study, while the second chapter received the existing literature relevant to the study and theoretical framework.
Chapter three focus on the overview of political violence in Nigeria.
Chapter four is basically on political violence and Nigerian Democracy 1999-2015.
Chapter five is about summary, conclusion and recommendations.
HOW TO GET THE FULL PROJECT WORK
PLEASE, print the following instructions and information if you will like to order/buy our complete written material(s).
HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERIAL(S)
After paying the appropriate amount (#5000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to
08068231953 or 08168759420
(1) Your project topics
(2) Email Address
(3) Payment Name
(4) Teller Number
We will send your material(s) immediately we receive bank alert
BANK ACCOUNTS
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 0046579864
Bank: GTBank.
OR
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 2023350498
Bank: UBA.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SCAM/FRAUD
As a result of fraud in Nigeria, people don’t believe there are good online businesses in Nigeria.
But on this site, we have provided “table of content and chapter one” of all our project topics and materials in order to convince you that we have the complete materials.
Secondly, we have provided our Bank Account on this site. Our Bank Account contains all information about the owner of this website. For your own security, all payment should be made in the bank.
No Fraudulent company uses Bank Account as a means of payment, because Bank Account contains the overall information of the owner
CAUTION/WARNING
Please, DO NOT COPY any of our materials on this website WORD-TO-WORD. These materials are to assist, direct you during your project. Study the materials carefully and use the information in them to develop your own new copy. Copying these materials word-to-word is CHEATING/ ILLEGAL because it affects Educational standard, and we will not be held responsible for it. If you must copy word-to-word please do not order/buy.
That you ordered this material shows you have agreed not to copy word-to-word.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
08068231953 or 08168759420
Visit any of my project websites below:
www.easyprojectmaterials.com
www.easyprojectmaterials.com.ng
www.easyprojectmaterial.net
www.easyprojectmaterial.net.ng
www.easyprojectsolutions.com
www.worldofnolimit.com
www.worldofnolimit.com
www.nairaproject.com.ng
www.nairaprojects.com.ng
www.nairaproject.net
www.nairaprojects.net
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www.uniprojects.com.ng
Tags: POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF TARABA STATE(1999-2015)
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Background to the Study
Political Violence is not a new household issue in Nigeria and even the world over. When we turn on the television or pick up a newspaper both national and international, we are regularly inundated with the vision of a world in disarray; images of ethnic cleansing in the central Africa Republic, demonstration in Burundi, Sudan, Somali and the Middle East crises.
In fact, political violence has engulfed nearly every state of the Federation. If this is not carefully and effectively managed, it will become a serious security threat to the survival of our nascent democracy and the unity of the country at large.
Elections are the essential ingredients of a representative democracy that by and large prevails across the world. A modern vision of democracy therefore entails the notion of elections as the primary means by which the electorates choose their representatives in government directly or indirectly through voting. It is therefore an indispensable part of democracy. Democracy is a political system with a relating equitable distribution of political power that is marked by government accountability, power checks and balances, and systematic openness to fair political competition.
According to Iyayi (2004) election comes through democracy and not merely what happens on a policy day, but encompasses activities before, during and after elections. Based on the facts that are intensely competitive events, political parties contest to determine access to power resources and future direction of a given state.
According to Musa (2014) elections are guided by rules and regulations designed to ensure certain degree of fairness and justice to all involved in the competition. This is one of the mechanisms designed to avoid electoral frauds including political violent confrontation in determining the question of succession and legitimacy in a political system,
It is thus, ironic that, the use of violence in elections is either by political parties contesting elections themselves or external agents, especially in developing countries like Nigeria where polities is regarded as welfare and election as bottles tend to be common. For the fact, politics deals with parties’ acquisition and allocation of resources, the instinct and urge for political violence becomes an insurable reality in social engineering.
In developing country like Nigeria where the nature of their prevailing economic conditions is characterized by a high degree of economic and social inequalities, politics is a literary war. This brought an argument that unequal distribution of resources and power among people or groups within African countries create mistrust, insecurity and hatred among disadvantaged and the advantages groups (Hembe, 2003).
In a similar vain, Anifowose (1982) states that the increasing frequency of violence’s is largely because it serve as a means of securing political objectives by contenders for political power in Nigeria. In other words the basis of this political violence seems to be in the struggle for control over resources and access to political office. The trend is not a recent phenomenon. Thuggery, brutality and violent political behaviour have been with us several decades.
The history of modern democratic principles of election in Nigeria maybe traced to the colonial era when educated people through the process of struggling forced the colonial regime which grudgingly and in peace meal stages introduced the elective principle that are part and parcel of the electoral process and without which democracy serve the purpose. However, the colonial taunt and criteria to stand fir elective posts set the pace for a dangerous trend in election including tenacity and political violence.
It is in view of the above background that, this research work examine political violence and the future of Nigeria democracy 1999- 2015, with the necessary information that would help assiduously to deal with these problem so as to provide stable democratic transition as well as attainment of a long – term goal of consolidated democracy for future.
1.2 Statement of the Problem
Sustenance of Nigerian Democracy is essential for the future, but the nature and magnitude of political violence since 1999-2015 has left more questions unanswered about consolidation of democratic government and tenant like free, fair and credible election, participation, accountability and transparency in Nigeria.
In Nigeria polities how a candidate wins an elections does not really matter if he/she belongs to the right political party. Therefore there is this saying among political stalwarts that it is the end that justifies the means and not the means that justify the end. The political elites in Nigeria would go to any length to ensure the victory of their candidates. To this extent they are involved in the recruitment of political thugs who are mostly the unemployed youths and known and unknown hooligans. They also employ mercenaries with arm to intimidate, harass and molest their political opponents.
Added to the above is the notorious winner-take-all-syndrome obtainable in Nigeria polities. This attitude of the politicians does not allow for any serious opposition as such opposition will be crushed and silenced using the instrumentality of governance. In this way, political office seekers and their sponsors use all means known to them to ensure that they win in election. Thus political violence at election period has become a recurring phenomenon.
Since there birth of democracy in 1999, Nigeria still struggle for credible elections. The process of democratization is a great concerned to Nigerians as well recurring political violence that comes with every, general elections since 1999. Political violence has occurred in Nigeria especially during political campaigns, election day and post – election period. What therefore are the consequences of political violence to the future of Nigerian democracy?
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The objectives of the study basically are to
(i) Examine certain factors responsible for political violence.
(ii) Identifies the dangers of political violence.
(iii) To bring to focus the importance of peaceful – co-existence among Nigeria ethnic groups.
(iv) To suggest possible ways that could strengthen our democratization process.
1.4 Research Propositions
In an attempt to solve the research problems posed in this study, some research propositions were posited. These propositions which are mere tentative, speculative statements include the following:
- The understanding of the effects of political violence would enable politician to re-shape the future of Nigeria democracy.
- The very nature of political violence in Nigeria is a factor in retarding credible candidates and credible elections.
1.5 Significance of the Study
The significant of this research work is to add to the general body of knowledge. Enlighten the general public on the assessment political violence and future of Nigerian Democracy (1999- 2015).
Also, this study is poised to investigate or assess the factors responsible for political violence in Nigeria, with emphasis particularly since 1999-2015.
The significance of this research work will enlighten the general public on the following:
(a) To evaluate the essence consolidating Nigeria Democracy.
(b) Assist scholars, students and researchers on the area of political violence epoch in Nigeria.
(c) To show to politicians the need to embrace peace co-existence during and after elections.
(d) To bring to light the state of the Nigerian Democracy status and encourage the masses to enable the spirit of love.
(e) Serve as reference point to policy makers the need to ensure peaceful transition of government.
1.6 Scope and Limitations of the Study
This study is designed to examine political violence and the future of Nigerian Democracy from 1999-2015. Focus would be on Nigerian democratic transition and political violence within the period of 1999-2015. The scope of this study is the fourth republic. However, examples and references are drawn from other previous republic periods which share common historical experiences with the fourth republic.
As in any social science and scientific research, this study has some limitations. This research work is limited by a number of factors and these include the following: this study was limited by financial constraints which made it a bit difficult to travel round to some part of Nigeria.
Another limitation was time frame a combination of school programme, and research work of this magnitude needs ample time which was lacking. Again, assessing all the materials needed for the study was not quite easy; this is solely as a result of human nature not willing to give out the entire information for researchers needs for a study.
1.7 Research Methodology
As a social science research, the mode of data collection and interpretative is basically influenced by the availability of documentary source. This means that a good proportion of the information about the research will be derived from textbooks, journals, magazines, newspapers, bulleting, monographs, the internet and other materials that are relevant to the study. The relevance of such documents cannot be overemphasized. This is because documents not only describe contemporary events but also help to reveal how these events have appeared to those living through them, from the foregoing, it is obvious that, in the cause of this research study, secondary method of data collection was used or adopted. Secondary sources of data shall be employed for this study. This secondary source is otherwise known as content analysis. This is were the sources of this work would basically be derived from.
1.8 Definition of Terms
Democracy: This is government of the people, by the people for the people.
Politics: This entails the process of interest and power sharing among political actors
Elite: This entails a group of people in a society who are powerful and have a lot of influence politically, economically etc.
Violence: This can be seen as the total breakdown of law and order that result in destruction of life and properties.
Development: Development is a progressive movement or change in quantity and qualities.
Political Parties: This is an association of men and women who came together to contest for political position through election and form government.
Election: This is the process of contesting for position, where two or more people via for election allowed people to choose their respective leaders or representative in government or otherwise.
1.9 Organization of the Study
The study is organized into five chapters. The first chapter deals with the basic introduction of the study, while the second chapter received the existing literature relevant to the study and theoretical framework.
Chapter three focus on the overview of political violence in Nigeria.
Chapter four is basically on political violence and Nigerian Democracy 1999-2015.
Chapter five is about summary, conclusion and recommendations.
HOW TO GET THE FULL PROJECT WORK
PLEASE, print the following instructions and information if you will like to order/buy our complete written material(s).
HOW TO RECEIVE PROJECT MATERIAL(S)
After paying the appropriate amount (#5000) into our bank Account below, send the following information to
08068231953 or 08168759420
(1) Your project topics
(2) Email Address
(3) Payment Name
(4) Teller Number
We will send your material(s) immediately we receive bank alert
BANK ACCOUNTS
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 0046579864
Bank: GTBank.
OR
Account Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
Account Number: 2023350498
Bank: UBA.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SCAM/FRAUD
As a result of fraud in Nigeria, people don’t believe there are good online businesses in Nigeria.
But on this site, we have provided “table of content and chapter one” of all our project topics and materials in order to convince you that we have the complete materials.
Secondly, we have provided our Bank Account on this site. Our Bank Account contains all information about the owner of this website. For your own security, all payment should be made in the bank.
No Fraudulent company uses Bank Account as a means of payment, because Bank Account contains the overall information of the owner
CAUTION/WARNING
Please, DO NOT COPY any of our materials on this website WORD-TO-WORD. These materials are to assist, direct you during your project. Study the materials carefully and use the information in them to develop your own new copy. Copying these materials word-to-word is CHEATING/ ILLEGAL because it affects Educational standard, and we will not be held responsible for it. If you must copy word-to-word please do not order/buy.
That you ordered this material shows you have agreed not to copy word-to-word.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL:
08068231953 or 08168759420
Visit any of my project websites below:
www.easyprojectmaterials.com
www.easyprojectmaterials.com.ng
www.easyprojectmaterial.net
www.easyprojectmaterial.net.ng
www.easyprojectsolutions.com
www.worldofnolimit.com
www.worldofnolimit.com
www.nairaproject.com.ng
www.nairaprojects.com.ng
www.nairaproject.net
www.nairaprojects.net
www.uniproject.com.ng
www.uniprojects.com.ng
Tags: POLITICAL VIOLENCE AND THE CHALLENGE OF DEMOCRATIC CONSOLIDATION IN NIGERIA: A STUDY OF TARABA STATE(1999-2015)
