This paper has two focal points. It undertakes a critical review of Nigeria’s
2011 general elections vis-à-vis manifestations of violence across all
the regions and zones of the country. It also attempts an in-depth and
dispassionate overview of the nexus between democracy and violence.
The paper infers that Nigeria is currently operating an ‘insecurity-based
democracy’ which can literally be called a ‘bunker democracy’, allegorically
describing Nigeria as a country where politicians and the electorate are in
constant fear and trepidation for their lives when an election is imminent. I
argue that this unwholesome situation should be addressed so that Nigeria
does not suffer democratic regression and undue relapse to military autocracy
and absolutism.