Small Arms Proliferation And Electoral Violence In South-East, Nigeria. (2011-2023)
Nlemchukwu Emmanuel C. PhD
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Adinde Kenneth U PhD
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Kenneth Igwe
Department of Political Science, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Mercy Chioma Arua
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Onyeacho Chike Esq
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences,Umuagwo
Francis Ogbonnia Egwu
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Nlemchukwu Benjamin U PhD
Department of Philosophy, Imo State University, Owerri
Nwogbala Ejike N
Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Keywords: Arms, Election, Electoral Violence, Proliferation, Small Arms
Abstract
Small arms proliferation and its consequences on electoral violence have been an issue of serious concern to our electoral process. The unlawful circulation of arms around the globe has variously given rise to arm conflict, ethnic clashes, cult-like rivalry, hate speeches and gangsterism. This study aimed at establishing a nexus between small arms proliferation and electoral violence in selected states in the south-east geopolitical zone. The entire youths of Abia, Anambra and Imo States between the ages of 18 and 45 constituted the study population. The cluster sampling technique was adopted for this study. The focused group discussion and indepth interview were utilized to elicit information from 270 and 30 respondents respectively from the three selected states without any special consideration. This means that nine (9) separate focused group discussions constituted by ten (10) persons for each was conducted across the three (3) selected states. The study adopted the Social Contract Theory by Thomas Hobbes as theoretical framework which underscores the importance of having a sovereign with absolute power and authority to govern. Recommendations were made which included the establishment and close monitoring of a responsive community policing which is expected to aid in the reappraisal of a formidable security apparatus in collaboration with existing security network. The proffered recommendations are expected to help government, policy makers and corporate organizations in Nigeria and beyond in making prudent legislations that can put an end to this arm circulation, thereby invariably ending electoral violence