2019, Vol. 1, Issue 2, Part C

Author(s): Agbi Nelson and Saka-Olokungboye N

Abstract: Before now, Nigeria electoral processes was characterized with rigging devices such as ballot box snuffing and snatching, outright manipulation of election results as well as electoral violence which were a major bane of electoral process in Nigeria. But, in recent time, money politics, vote buying and selling have taken the central stage in our political and electoral activities. This ugly trend has become subject of discussion and natural embarrassment due to the inability of political parties to organize their political activities in a decent manner especially during political electioneering campaigns. Parties and their candidates have demonstrated that good manifestoes, acceptability and integrity of those viewing for public offices no longer convincing enough to guarantee electoral victory thus, resulting to vote-buying. On the other side, the willingness of the voters to sell their votes to the highest bidder is another emerging face of commercialization of electoral processes in Nigeria. This disturbing trend or practice constitutes a blemish on the electoral process in Nigeria. If unchecked, it portends danger of collapsing of our democratization process and in turn prevent electorates from reaping the dividend of democracy. This paper therefore, examines the implications of such unacceptable behaviors and practice in Nigeria. The nexus between poverty and political participation is also examine by the papers. The paper applied qualitative method of data collection through the use of secondary sources of data, with specific reference(s) to the Ekiti and Osun State Gubernatorial elections conducted in 2018. The paper concludes with some recommendations among others that can reduce the growing trend of monetization of politics in Nigeria.

DOI: 10.33545/27068919.2019.v1.i2c.38

Pages: 146-152 | Views: 3260 | Downloads: 2514

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