THE ROLE OF ELECTORAL REFORMS IN SHAPING GOVERNANCE IN KOGI STATE FROM 1999 TO 2021

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background of the Study Elections play a critical role in the democratic process and are vital for maintaining political stability. This is because conducting elections remains a fundamental pillar for the consolidation of democracy in every country. The manner in which elections are conducted has become an essential criterion in ranking and categorizing nations. In countries with diverse cultural populations, the conduct of free and fair elections is instrumental in fostering peaceful coexistence among various ethnic and racial groups. Conversely, elections riddled with widespread fraud and malpractice pose a significant threat to both political stability and sustainable development. This viewpoint may partly explain why many African countries continue to experience political instability and sluggish progress toward sustainable development (Arowolo & Lawal, 2019). Historically, elections across Africa, particularly in Nigeria, have often been fraught with problems. The issue does not lie with the elections themselves, but rather with political actors who disregard established rules and instead manipulate the electoral process to suit their own interests, thereby destabilizing the system. Elections themselves are not the root cause of these problems. Nigeria has scarcely witnessed an election free from rigging or electoral malpractice, with a few exceptions such as the June 12, 1993 election and the gubernatorial elections in Edo and Ondo states in 2012. Elections such as the 1964 federal election, the 1965 Western Nigeria election, the 1979 and 1983 General Elections, and even the annulled 1993 elections have been associated with violence and military interventions in Nigerian politics (Imobighe, 2016). Though the general elections of 1999, 2003, and 2007 did not incite widespread violence or military involvement, they were widely criticized for poor conduct. Observers, both foreign and local, identified the 2007 general elections as the most flawed in Nigeria's history. These elections failed to meet basic international and regional standards for democratic elections. Persisting with such flawed electoral practices risks creating an undercurrent of unrest that could eventually escalate into chaos if corrective measures are not taken promptly. It is within this context that intellectual discussions on electoral reform become highly relevant (TELL, 2017). The failure to conduct free and fair elections represents Nigeria's most pressing challenge. Electoral fraud has led to the loss of numerous lives and significant destruction of property. The spectrum of electoral malpractice includes political instability, loss of life and property, official incompetence and irresponsibility, corruption, mismanagement, political assassinations, voter apathy, governance challenges, and legitimacy crises (Arowolo & Lawal, 2019). Hence, this study aims to investigate the role of electoral reforms in shaping governance in kogi state from 1999 to 2021. 1.2 Statement of the Problem A fundamental challenge facing post-colonial African governments, Nigeria included, is how to effectively sustain and consolidate democracy—principally through legitimate elections based on the principle of one person, one vote (Kolawole, 2017). What was once a straightforward task has become exceedingly difficult across Africa, with only a few countries genuinely conducting free and fair elections as widely accepted. Frequently, compromised versions of democracy are presented under the guise of expediency to legitimize government authority, reflecting the common practice of distortion (Iwu, 2018). In Nigeria, it has been difficult for elected presidents to alter the constitutionally mandated two-term limit (eight years), as evidenced by the subtle attempts of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Although Nigeria legally restricts presidents to two terms (1999-2007), subsequent elections have often fallen short of being free and fair. This situation underscores the importance of studying electoral reforms and governance specifically within Kogi State during the period 1999 to 2021. 1.3 Research Questions This study will address the following research questions: i. What impact have electoral reforms had on governance in Kogi State? ii. What challenges are encountered in implementing electoral reforms in Kogi State? iii. What benefits have electoral reforms brought to governance in Kogi State? iv. What recommendations can be made to improve electoral reforms in Kogi State? 1.4 Objectives of the Study The main objective of this research is to investigate the role of electoral reforms in shaping governance in kogi state from 1999 to 2021. The specific objectives include: i. To assess the impact of electoral reforms on governance in Kogi State. ii. To identify challenges involved in the implementation of electoral reforms in Kogi State. iii. To explore the benefits of electoral reforms on governance in Kogi State. iv. To provide recommendations on how electoral reforms in Kogi State can be improved. 1.5 Hypotheses of the Study The study has formulated the following hypotheses for testing: H01: Electoral reforms have no impact on governance in Kogi State. H02: Electoral reforms have no benefits on governance in Kogi State. 1.6 Significance of the Study This study holds significance for the government as it will reveal various malpractices committed by political party agents during elections, encouraging the deployment of security personnel to safeguard ballot papers and protect voters. It will also benefit the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) by highlighting current challenges in electoral processes, enabling the commission to implement measures to address these issues. Additionally, the research will contribute to the academic community by enriching the existing literature on electoral reforms and governance. 1.7 Scope and Limitations of the Study The study will focus on the role of electoral reforms in shaping governance in kogi state from 1999 to 2021, exploring the challenges of implementing these reforms and the benefits accrued. It will also provide recommendations for improvement. However, the research is subject to certain limitations typical of academic inquiries. Funding constraints affected the researcher's ability to access all necessary resources, literature, and data collection methods such as the internet, questionnaires, and interviews, leading to a moderate sample size selection. Furthermore, the researcher balanced this study alongside other academic responsibilities, which limited the time available for research. 1.8 Definition of Terms Electoral reforms: Refers to changes made to the electoral systems to better reflect public will in election outcomes. Governance: The manner or method by which a state or organization is governed or managed.