TOWARDS A BETTER ELECTORAL PROCESS IN NIGERIA 

The Electoral process is a system through which the people of a given state choose or Elect those that will represent them in government positions. It involves the formation of an electoral body responsible for the conduct of elections, registration of the electorate forming and joining of political parties, the nomination of a candidate by the parties, political campaigns, elections of the candidate, collation of results, declarations of results etc. 

In Nigeria, the electoral process has been surrounded by different challenges which have crippled the system. In a nascent democracy, the electoral process holds sways. This is because it is where the people's choice is estimated respected. It is disheartening that in Nigeria, the electoral process is relegated to the background as a result of corruption. Corruption is at its peak in Nigeria. During the nomination of candidates in different political parties, people no longer look at the credibility of the candidates. They only consider how many candidates can offer them. This has seriously affected the process. 

Tribalism is another serious challenge to the electoral process in Nigeria. Meritocracy has been pushed to the mud as far as electoral process is concerned in Nigeria. In as such as the person contesting is from this “tribe or that tribe” he goes. 

Another problem of the electoral process in Nigeria is “God Fathers” this problem has eaten deep in the society that if a candidate is not anointed by any Godfather from the party, he/ she will not get there no matter the qualification. Once the candidate is chosen by any so-called God-Father, he/she is considered an  automatic winner of the post irrespective of who the person is. 

The insincerity of heart  among the personnel of the electoral  body is another challenge to the electoral process in Nigeria some staff of the independent electoral Commission (INEC) are not sincere  in discharging their constitutional duties. Many at times, they assist Politician in manipulating election results. 

Another serious problem of the electoral process in Nigeria is insecurity. The level of insecurity in Nigeria is very high that if urgent steps are not taken to remedy the situation, it will cripple the entire system. Many people have lost their lives and properties worth billions of Naira have been destroyed as a result of different crisis such as kidnapping, Boko Haram, menace, Niger Delta Avengers, Herdsmen attack to mention only but a few. So many people have been living with fears of the unknown as a result, the electoral process has been affected. 

There are other challenges but space may not permit me to state them all. So the question is, what do we do to remedy these ugly situations in Nigeria? I think for every problem there is certainly a situation. There are many ways in which we could remedy the situation or totally overhaul the electoral process  in Nigeria. 

One of these ways is that Families, schools, Religious bodies should try as much as possible to instil values and morals to their wards. This will go a long way towards stamping out moral decadence in our society. 

Furthermore, the issues of tribalism, ethnicity and sectionalism should be totally pushed to the back. The people should be re-oriented on the need for nationalism. There should be a selection of candidates based on merits no matter where the person is coming from. 

Also, the entire nation should rise up and say “No' to God –fathorism”. The government should promulgate a law on “God-fatherism”. Anyone caught perpetuating such act should be severely punished according to the law.

Security should be the concern of all and sundry Everybody in Nigeria must be security conscious. Also, those involving in such dastardly acts should refrain from them. They should embrace peace and dialogue, knowing fully well that peace is a panacea to development. 

Again, electoral materials should be adequate secured and the personnel  should be properly trained especially in handling the electronic  devices and also adequate security should be provided for the staff of the electoral body (INEC) to carry  out their civic responsibilities  effectively .

In conclusion, I foresee a very standardised electoral process in Nigeria only if our electoral system is properly put in place. When the electoral process is totally overhauled in the way acceptable to all, there will be room for a lasting democracy in Nigeria.