ELECTORAL FRAUD AND VOTERS’ APATHY IN NIGERIA’S DEMOCRACY: A CRITICAL OVERVIEW OF THE 2023 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN OVIA NORTH EAST L.G.A, EDO STATE

ABSTRACT

The objectives of this study are to determine the extent to which political participation contributes to the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria, examine the impact of political participation on the recently concluded 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, and investigate the causes of political apathy in that election. The population of this study consists of twenty (20) registered voters from each of the forty-six (46) polling units that make up Oluku Ward 06 in Ovia North East Local Government Area, for a total of one hundred and sixty-eight thousand four hundred forty-six (176,846) registered voters as of the 2023 presidential election. A sample size of one hundred (100) participants was used. A questionnaire was used to gather the information. The findings revealed that lack of political participation results in the underrepresentation of certain societal groups in the outcomes of the 2023 Nigeria presidential election. Voter turnout is a key indicator of the success and legitimacy of the 2023 Nigeria presidential election, and political participation represents the will of the people. It is concluded that many Nigerians are not committed to the electoral process or other political engagements. This study revealed that the Nigerian political system and acts of governance do not encourage mass participation. This is because of the political culture of violence, intimidation, manipulation, sentiments, money politics, ignorance, corruption, deception, and apathy that characterize the political system.