Electoral Violence and Its Implications on Sustainable Development in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Abstract

The emergence of electoral violence since the inception of the Fourth Republic in 1999 has reached an unprecedented scale and evolved in form, leading to instability, democratic consolidation, irreversible infrastructure damage, and social injustice. The study revealed the causes of electoral violence and its implications for sustainable development in Nigeria. The research identified the factors contributing to election violence and its effects on sustainable democracy in Nigeria. It also highlighted strategies to address electoral violence and proposed essential policy recommendations for its eradication to ensure sustained development in Nigeria. In the contemporary world, elections have become the most accepted means of changing government. The emergence of electoral violence since the inception of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic in 1999 has reached an unprecedented scale and evolved in form, leading to instability, democratic consolidation, irreversible infrastructure damage, and social injustice. The study revealed the causes of electoral violence and its implications for sustainable development in Nigeria. The research identified the factors contributing to election violence and its effects on sustainable democracy in Nigeria. This paper adopts secondary data from books, journals, magazines, and newspapers to assess the conduct of elections, especially those of the Fourth Republic. The findings reveal that the absence of free and fair elections led to violence, resulting in candidates who did not reflect the people's choice. The paper recommends basic reforms, devolution of power at the center, and other plausible measures to ensure a true and sustainable democratic system in Nigeria, which is essential for achieving sustainable development.