Election Wars In Nigeria: The Case Of Rivers State
Sofiri Joab-Peterside
Department of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
Keywords: Election violence, Rivers State, Credible elections, INEC, Democracy, Politics
Abstract
Elections are critical periods in Nigeria because they alter the power structure within a state, the Subnational and National levels where multiple actors seek to establish their claims to power. Rivers State is particularly noted as host spots for electoral violence and security breaches during elections. The perpetrators of violence are organized by a diverse group of interests and stakeholders with no constitutional provision or legislation legalizing their existence. However, because of their alignment with serving government officials either at federal or state level, are more formidable. Political candidates mobilize thugs to disrupt political meetings, intimidate, displace, and disenfranchise citizens suspected of being sympathetic to opponents. Under this circumstance, election becomes war because the aim of all actions in war is to disarm an enemy and remove his ability to resist, and victory in battle consists in nothing less than the physical and moral destruction of the enemy. If an organized resistance uses destructive techniques and are met with similar violent actions, then the confrontation may be conceived as warfare. Political parties must faithfully subscribe to rules and regulations intended to ensure free, fair and credible election. Failure to do so would have negative destabilizing spill over effects on the polity, and in the long run, constrict irredeemably the democratic space