THE ELECTORAL PROCESS AND SUCCESSION CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA THE CASE OF 2007 GENERAL ELECTION IN ENUGU STATE

Abstract

This study looked into the relationship between the electoral process and succession challenges in Nigeria. The 2007 general election in Enugu state was used as a case study. The specific objectives of the study was to find out the problems related to the 2007 voters’ registration in Enugu state;  analyses the extent to which voters’ registration exercise affected the 2007 election; and make suggestions towards improving the electoral process in Nigeria. The elite theory was used as the explicatory framework.  Both primary and secondary data were collected and analyzed using content analysis. It was found out that the voters’ registration exercise was manipulated clearly to favour the ruling party. The registration exercise was used to influence the 2007 general election unduly. The massive rigging of the election was traceable to the manipulation of the voters’ registration exercise. The registration exercise therefore constituted the major obstacle to smooth succession in 2007. Among other salient recommendations, this paper feels that subsequent registration exercise should be the business of INEC ns not left for all and sundry as was the case in 2007.