DEMOCRATIZATION AND POST-ELECTION VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA AND GHANA 2003-2012

Abstract

Election is universally considered as the hallmark of democracy, especially since the current wave of democratization in Africa. However, most elections in Africa are characterized by violence particularly post-electoral violence. Moreover, the study examined the nexus between democratization and post-electoral violence in Nigeria and Ghana. Though scholars have interrogated democratization and electoral violence yet little attention have been paid on how the mode of democratization
account for the different levels of post-electoral violence more in Nigeria than in Ghana. Therefore, the paper ascertained how the mode of democratization accounted for the different levels of post-electoral violence in Nigeria more than Ghana. The
study made use of qualitative method of data collection and analysis; it relied on secondary sources of data. To address the issues raised, the study was anchored on the theory of post-colonial state. The study noted that electoral mal-practice led to
occurrence of protest and riots more in Nigeria than Ghana, and weak democratic institutions account for political kidnappings and assassinations more in Nigeria than Ghana and also ethno/religious voting pattern triggered destruction of lives and
properties more in Nigeria than Ghana. All these are rooted in the high premium or stakes Nigerian politicians attached to politics unlike their counterparts in Ghana. The study recommended among others, that the electoral process should be free, fair, and credible. The electoral commissions of both states particularly Nigeria should be more organized to avoid electoral malpractice, and Nigerian politicians should place less premium on politics.