Military deployment and the conduct of the 2015 general election in southwestern Nigeria.
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Date
2016
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Political science,Obafemi Awolowo University
Abstract
The study examined the rationale behind the deployment of the military in the 2015 general elections in Nigeria and analysed public opinion on the legitimacy of military deployment in the conduct of the elections in southwestern Nigeria. It also assessed the conduct and performance of the military in ensuring security during the general elections in southwestern Nigeria. These were with a view of reaching consensus on the legitimacy of military deployment in Nigerian elections.
The study made use of primary and secondary sources of data collection. Primary data were sourced through semi-structured interview and administration of questionnaire. The 12 respondents purposively selected for interview were from the leading political parties, the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party; the Independent National Electoral Commision (INEC); the military and the civil society. One respondent was selected from each category in Ogun, Osun and Ekiti states. The selections were based on positions as party heads, high ranking military officers, INEC officials and involvement in the elections through observer status. Tape recorder device was used and note-taking utilised as back up during the interview. Considering the total number of registered voters in southwestern Nigeria which INEC puts at 14, 296, 163; and relying on the position of Krejcie and Morgan (1970) on sampling, the sample size for questionnaire administration was 384 spread across the respective capitals of selected states. This was proportionally divided thus; 71 for Ado-Ekiti in Ekiti, 136 for Osogbo in Osun and 177 for Abeokuta in Ogun State. Respondents were selected using simple random sampling technique. Secondary data were sourced from textbooks, journals, the Internet, magazines, government publications, publications by organisations and newspapers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed through content analysis.
The study found that the history of violence that characterised past elections in Nigeria, the disdain with which members of the public view policemen, the need to curb violence and ensure security and to create a free and fair atmosphere for the smooth running of the electoral process topped the list of rationale behind the deployment of military in the conduct of elections in Nigeria (82% of respondents agree that the military were deployed to prevent violence which had negatively affected previous elections). It also found divergent public opinion on the legitimacy of military deployment in elections with some respondents opining that the military were deployed by the Federal Government to intimidate the electorate, while a vast majority felt that military deployment was crucial to safeguarding the sanctity of the elections and to provide a sense of security among the voting public considering the developing level of political culture (78.2% of respondents felt comfortable with the use of the military). Finally, the study found that military presence at strategic places were appreciated by a significant portion of the voting public and that the military contributed largely to the success of the elections through responsiveness when called upon to manage crisis situation, creating a sense of security among poll officials and the voting population, handling of potentially violent scenarios and the control of arms and political thugs mobility across locations (81.1% agree that the use of the military enhanced security of voters and polling officials) .
The study concluded that the military should be deployed for subsequent elections in Nigeria, though it is not a sustainable strategic choice.
Description
xiv, 141p
Keywords
Military, Election, Legitimacy, Military deployment
Citation
Aborisade,A.L(2016). Military deployment and the conduct of the 2015 general election in southwestern Nigeria. Obafemi Awolowo University