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2025 journal of african elections v24n1 eisa transparent democratic governance in africa

Mechanism and Strategies of EU Democracy Promotion in Nigeria: An Analytical Overview

Research on international democracy promotion in Africa often emphasises the altruistic intent of the sender, who aims to improve the political landscape in recipient countries, while neglecting other underlying motivations or agendas. Regarding the relations between the European Union (EU) and Nigeria, a few studies have focused on the internal factors in Nigeria that necessitate EU support for democracy. There has also been little exploration of reasons why these external actions have largely failed. The lack of knowledge limits the effectiveness of promoting democracy. The paper presents a qualitative case study that investigates how the EU can promote democracy in Nigeria in ways that suit the local context. Content analysis indicates how the EU’s rhetoric on democracy promotion is clouded by other foreign policy interests, contributing to a fragile democratic environment in Nigeria. The EU’s promotion of democracy is often shaped by internal considerations and is subordinate to the EU’s own strategic interests, particularly regarding migration, economic stability, and geopolitical influence. This situation results in a selective strategy that favours cooperation over resource management instead of enforcing democratic principles. Recommendations are offered to improve the effectiveness of democracy promotion.

2025 journal of african elections v24n1 eisa transparent democratic governance in africa

For the Highest Bidder: The Dollarisation of Nigeria’s 2022 Presidential Primary Elections

This article examines the monetisation of the 2022 presidential primaries of the two major political parties in Nigeria, namely the APC and PDP. Data is drawn from key informant interviews and documented evidence from the conduct of the primary elections. The key informants were party executives and members who voted as delegates in the presidential primaries of these parties. Two delegates were selected from each geo-political zone of the country, giving a total of 12 key informants. The study is situated within the theoretical framework of electoral clientelism. The collection of primary data involved 14 months of intermittent and extensive field work, which was carried out from July 2022 to September 2023. The findings reveal that the leading contestants engaged in aggressive vote-buying by using vast amounts of dollars. In addition, a direct candidate selection method may have aided the vote-buying strategies of both parties. The article concludes that such disregard for the rules of the game in selecting candidates hinders the institutionalisation of internal party democracy and engenders clientelism and patronage. As argued by previous researchers, these practices largely determine who secures which elective post – and how.

2023 journal of african elections v23n1 eisa transparent democratic governance in africa

Democratic Deficit and Underdevelopment in Nigeria: A Qualitative Study of the 2023 Presidential Elections

Discontentment with democracy in West Africa centres on abuse of power and political corruption. In Nigeria, dissatisfaction lies not just with these but also with insecurity, economic recession and the electoral process – a system fraught with complications, controversies and contradictions. Using the political economy of elections as its theoretical framework together with mixed research methods, this paper interrogates the relationship between Nigeria’s democratic culture and the 2023 presidential elections. Here I present a politicised electoral management institution, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Its performance is shaped, not by legislative instruments and constitutional guidelines, but by a dysfunctional democratic culture that reflects the extent to which ethnicised politics, class, institutionalised loyalty and money politics determine election results and Nigeria’s version of democracy. Although fragile and prebendal, democracy continues to consolidate amidst delayed development. The paper recommends increased media advocacy for reform.

journal of african elections vol21 number 2 1 transparent democratic governance in africa

Two Decades of Democracy in Nigeria: Between Consolidation and Regression

The year 1999 marked a watershed moment in the political history of Nigeria with the transition from military to civilian rule and the beginning of the Fourth Republic. Two decades later, the country has not only witnessed the longest period of civilian democratic rule but has also achieved a milestone with the alternation of power between the two dominant political parties. The augury, however, points to a democracy oscillating between consolidation and regression. This paper therefore interrogates two decades of democratisation in Nigeria in the context of the two main parties, the conduct of elections, and the level of representation of marginalised groups, particularly women. The paper contends that while it may be uncharitable to discount the incremental gains since the return to civil rule, the country is far from attaining the status of a consolidated democracy.

journal of african elections vol21 number 1 transparent democratic governance in africa

Judicialising party primaries: Contemporary Developments in Nigeria

Cet article explore la judiciarisation des primaires des partis dans le Nigeria contemporain, qui constitue une caractéristique déterminante de la politique électorale du pays. Depuis la création de la Quatrième République, le manque de démocratie interne au sein des partis a été à l’origine de crises prolongées lors des nominations, et cela dépend souvent de la sérénité des tribunaux. Les études dominantes en théorie juridique soutiennent que les primaires contestées sont des affaires internes au parti ; ils ne sont donc pas justiciables. S’appuyer sur des données primaires et secondaires – Entretiens sur YouTube, Constitution, loi électorale, décisions judiciaires, reportages médiatiques et observations personnelles – cet article soutient que dans la mesure où les partis politiques sont des entités juridiques, les élections primaires contestées sont justiciables, d’où une question juridique qui doit être résolue par le judiciaire. Pour valider notre argument, l’article s’appuie sur la notion de compétence universelle et obligatoire de Raphaël (1970). Notre enquête révèle que l’incapacité des mécanismes internes des partis à résoudre les primaires contestées explique pourquoi les candidats lésés ont eu recours à des recours légaux. Bien que cette approche ait été remise en question d’un point de vue légaliste, la constitutionnalité de la demande de réparation juridique trouve son origine dans le changement de régime juridique régissant les primaires des partis, qui a façonné, remodelé et eu un impact positif sur la démocratie électorale au Nigeria.

journal of african elections vol19 number 1 transparent democratic governance in africa

Political Finance and the 2019 General Elections in Nigeria

Money and politics are understandably inseparable because much democratic political activity is dependent on financial resources. This paper examines the effects of the unregulated use of money in political activities in Nigeria. Data for the conceptual and theoretical sections of the paper are drawn from historical and contemporary documents on people, economy and politics. This […]

journal of african elections vol17 number 2 transparent democratic governance in africa

Election Administration in Nigeria: A Researcher’s Account of the 2015 General Elections

Using empirical field accounts of the 2015 general elections in the Ibadan South-East local government area, this article investigates the problems and prospects of election administration in Nigeria. It argues that while the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nigeria’s electoral management body, made elaborate preparations for the conduct of the general elections across the country, […]

journal of african elections vol16 number 2 transparent democratic governance in africa

Africa’s West Meets it’s South: A Comparison of Democracy in Nigeria and South Africa, 1993-2016

Democratic elections in Africa have drawn significant international interest because of their tendencies to generate conflict and violence. Unfortunately, this is not likely to change in the near future, especially with the prevalence of one-party dominance, electoral malpractices, patrimonial leadership and election violence in a number of African countries. Against this background the paper carries […]

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