POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND VOTERS’ BEHAVIOUR IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

Democracy encourages the citizens to participate in deciding who should hold what office at regular intervals. It also ensures that the “governor” does so on the consent of the governed. There is, therefore close relationship between democracy, election and political participation. Since the return of democracy in Nigeria,1999-2011 there has been a steady decline in electoral participation due largely to non-democratic processes-imposition of candidates at all elective positions, election rigging, corruption ,violence during and after elections and politics of exclusion and victory is viewed as a must, according former president Obasanjo “do or die affair”. Electoral victory ensures material benefits to the victors. The irregularities and the level of violence discourage an average Nigerian from taking part in politics including voting during elections. There is weak political institutions in the country and this contributes to the problem . The political parties lack ideologies and wallow in ideological confusion. There is high level of inequality, poverty and massive youth unemployment.