ANALYSIS OF ELECTION AND ELECTORAL PROCESSES IN

2011 AT IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OSUN

STATE, SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

BY

LAMIDI OYEDELE KAZEEM

LGS/2008/126

A LONG ESSAY SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT

OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT STUDIES, FACULTY OF

ADMINISTRATION,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE

OSUN STATE

IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (B.Sc) DEGREE IN LOCAL

GOVERNMENT STUDIES

DECEMBER, 2011

i
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that this project was written by Lamidi Oyedele

Kazeem with Matric No. LGS/2008/126, of the Department of Local

Government Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and supervised

by me.

________________ _______________

Mr G.C. Ihemeje Date

________________ _______________

Dr I. O. Aransi
Head of Department Date

ii
 DEDICATION

I dedicate this project to almighty Allah, the lord of the world and

the master of the day of resurrection, who in his infinite mercy and

guidance made my dreams come true. I also dedicate this thesis to my

able parent, Mr and Mrs Lamidi for their parental support towards the

success of the programme.

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

My special appreciation goes to almighty Allah for granting me the

grace and privilege to complete this programme successfully.

I am particularly grateful to Allah for his divine provision,

protection and guidance throughout the period of this course. Therefore,

glory, praise, honour and adoration are due to Allah (SWA) for his

wonderful favour and grace.

My profound gratitude goes to my supervisor, Mr G.C. Ihemeje

whom I have gained a lot from his wealth of experience in the field of

research methodology. His relationship with me throughout the period of

this research work was perfect, cordial and sincere. His advice, words of

encouragement, constructive criticisms added an immense value to the

effectiveness of this work.

Moreover, I am indeed grateful to my brothers and sisters Mr

Lamidi Bamidele, Mr Lamidi Ayodele, Miss Lamidi Titilope, Mr Lamidi

Taiwo, Mr Lamidi Kehinde, Mrs Lamidi Tawakalitu (my wife) and my

darling son Mr Lamidi Muhammod for their support in cash and kind,

and my entire family toward the success and smooth running of the

programme.

iv
 My acknowledgement would have been incomplete with

conspicuous omission of my gratitude to Prof M. L. Nassar who was the

‘messiah’ behind my studentship in the degree programme. I also

acknowledge the efforts of the entire lecturers in my department for

impacting reasonable, sound and grounded knowledge on me.

I cannot but also thank my class members Adje Gloria, Pako

Saheed Abiodun, Jelili Olawale, Afolabi Ajiboye, Ajala Nike, Ojo

Oluwatosin, Hamsat Omolara, Babaeko Solomon, Badiru Fausat,

Balogun Olamide, Benjamen Jeremiah, Jegede Kolade, Nkwuenu

Chioma, Odewale Ayotunde, Ohajikoba Ogochukwu, Ojo John, Ojo

temitope, Olaiya oladejo, Mojekwu Omorebere, Omidiji Esther, Omisore

Abayomi, Onabanjo Leke, Owolola Christianah, Seidi Aduku, Sotayo

Anuoluwapo, Yekini Akeem (My imam), Seriki Olabisi, Ezeogbo Esther

and Taleat Bisiriyu (Germane).

I will also thank my entire friends Fagbemi Segun, Fawole Sanmi,

Adedosu Adediwura, Ikugbonmire Joseph, Ogunjuyigbe Sunkanmi,

Adefeso Azeez, Raji Sheriff, Salami Sheriff, Ibrahim Opeyemi to mention a

few.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGES

Title page i

Certification ii

Dedication iii

Acknowledgment iv-v

Table of contents vi-viii

List of tables’ ix-x

Abbreviations xi

Abstract xii-xiii

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study. 1-3

1.2 Statement of the Problem. 3-4

1.3 Objectives of the Study. 4-5

1.4 Research Questions. 5

1.5 Research Hypotheses. 5-7

1.6 Scope of the Study. 7

1.7 The Justifications of the Study. 7-8

1.8 Methodology. 8

1.9 Definitions of Terms. 8-9

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1.10 Limitations to the Study. 9

1.11 Organisation of the Study. 9-10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW, CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL

FRAMEWORKS

2.1 What is an Election? 12-19

2.2 Theoretical Framework of the Study. 19-23

2.3 Structure of Electoral Management Body. 23-36

2.4 Elements of Electoral Processes.

i. Appointment of INEC Head at Local Government Level. 36-37

ii. Voters’ Education in Local Communities. 38-39

iii. Voters’ Registration Exercise at ICLG in 2011. 39-41

iv. Conduct of Election at ICLG Area in 2011. 41-43

2.5 Role of Civil Society Organisations, Political Parties, Security Agencies,

Traditional Institutions and the Press in Electoral Processes. 44-48

2.6 Functions of Electoral/Poll Officials at Local Government Level. 48-60

2.7 Voting Method and Procedure. 60-68

2.8 Post Election Analysis. 68-69

2.9 Challenges Posed to the Electoral Processes. 69-72

CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Area of the Study. 75-77

3.2 Method of Investigation. 77

3.3 Sample Procedure. 78

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3.4 Measurement of Variables. 78-79

3.5 Research Instruments. 79-81

3.6 Data Analysis Techniques. 81-82

CHAPTER FOUR: PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF

DATA.

4.1 Method of Data Presentation and Analysis. 84-97

4.2 Data Presentation and Interpretation. 97-98

4.3 Test of Hypotheses. 98-105

CHAPTER FIVE: FINDINGS, SUMMARY, RECOMMENDATIONS AND

CONCLUSION.

5.1 Findings. 107-112

5.2 Summary. 112-113

5.3 Recommendations. 113-

115

5.4 Conclusion 115-117

Bibliography

viii
LISTS OF TABLES PAGES

TABLE 4.1: Percentage distribution of respondents by age 84

TABLE 4.2: Percentage distribution of respondents by marital status 85

TABLE 4.3: Percentage distribution of respondents by educational level 86

TABLE 4.4: Percentage distribution of respondents by religion 87

TABLE 4.5: Percentage distribution of respondents by occupation 88

TABLE 4.6: Percentage distribution of respondents by ethnic group 89

TABLE 4.7: Percentage distribution of respondents by level of income 90

TABLE 4.8: Percentage distribution of respondents according to their

employment status 91

TABLE 4.9: Percentage distribution of respondents who identified the

variations between the 2011 election and previous ones as Positive change or
Negative change 91

TABLE 4.10: Percentage distribution of respondents on the new trends of the

electoral processes 92

TABLE 4.11: Percentage distribution of respondents by their assessment of the

role of institutions of governance in electoral practices 93

TABLE 4.12: Percentage distribution of respondents on the level of

participation of the universal adult suffrage 93

TABLE 4.13: Percentage distribution of respondents showing if there are

differences between 2011 election and the 1999, 2003 & 2007 elections 94

TABLE 4.14: Percentage distribution of respondents who considered their

polling units to be conducive and peaceful for electoral practices 95

TABLE 4.15: Percentage distribution of respondents who agreed/disagreed with

the use of corps members as Ad-hoc officials for the election 95

TABLE 4.16: Percentage distribution of respondents who are being encouraged

or discouraged from electoral practices due to their religion 96

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TABLE 4.17: Percentage distribution of respondents who are being encouraged
or discouraged from electoral practices due to their culture 96

TABLE 4.18: Percentage distribution of respondents who participated in

electoral practices due to economic situation 97

Table 4.3.1: showing whether there are changes / variations from the past
perpetual characteristics of the electoral processes in Nigeria. 99-100

Table 4.3.2: showing whether the new trends in electoral processes make it to
be efficient. 101-102

Table 4.3.3; showing whether the role of institutions of governance has

contributed to the electoral systems. 102-103

Table 4.3.4: showing the level of political participation of the universal adult
suffrage. 104-105

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 ABBREVIATIONS

ICLG - IFE CENTRAL LOCAL GOVERNMENT

INEC - INDEPENDENT NATIONAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION

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 ABSTRACT

Election and electoral processes have become significant in any

democratic system in the world. This democratic exercise has been faced with

so many challenges and has also undergone series of metamorphosis.

In Nigeria, since 1923 when elections started, various options have been

used to conduct general, presidential, parliamentary, governorship, local

government elections e.t.c. However, accuracy and total credibility have not

been achieved in this democratic exercise.

Various definitions of elections were reviewed; elements of the electoral

processes were discussed within the scope of the area of the study. Structures

and functions of electoral management bodies and officials were highlighted;

voting methods and procedures were explained; electoral systems were also

analysed. The roles of institutions of governance were examined and various

challenges were identified; and solutions were provided.

This thesis attempted to identify whether there are changes / variations

from the previous characteristics of the electoral processes in Nigeria; to

describe the new trends in electoral processes such as modified voting methods

and procedures and the use of technological tools in electoral exercise; to

examine the role of institutions of governance in electoral process; and

determine the level of political participation of the universal adult suffrage.

xii
 The methodology used in this study involved both sources of data

collection. That is, information was sourced through questionnaire

administration, interview and some textbooks. Newspapers and internet were

also consulted. Survey method was used in this research and questionnaires

were administered on some selected electorates, that is, people of ICLG. I also

used method of on the spots observation and survey of the electoral spots in Ife

town and its environs. A simple percentage approach was employed in

analyzing and interpreting the data collected to break it down and it was

flashed up by the tabulation of tables, descriptive interpretation and discussing

of findings.

Some facts were discovered in this thesis such as poor logistics of

distributing materials to centres all over Nigeria; election malpractice like

multiple voting has been identified as one of the problems during an election in

Nigeria; election violence aimed at disrupting either voting in an opponent’s

stronghold or collation of results; so much trust has been placed on the ad-hoc

personnel; vote counting is still manual; non-availability of means of

communicating the results from the rural areas to the state Headquarters.

In conclusion, a number of relevant recommendations were made such

as institutions have to be built in order to ground democracy both in

institutional and attitudinal terms among Nigerian people; islam, Christianity

and other religions should acknowledge election as a means of choosing

leaders (as discerned in Rome, Mecca, India e.t.c in their early medieval

xiii
periods). INEC should be an independent institution whereby it must be

removed under the office of the presidency of the federal republic of Nigeria for

the sake of enjoying full autonomy. More civil groups should be allowed for

election monitoring and establish rules and regulations that will govern such

exercise. Voters’ registration should be a recurring exercise. This thesis

recommends that all the institutions of governance should engage in voters’

education, curbing electoral violence as well as enacting laws which would

assist Nigerians to exercise their franchise.

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