Electoral Malpractice and Pathway to Sustainable Development: Interrogating 2023 General Elections in Nigeria

ABSTRACT This study examined electoral malpractices and pathway to sustainable development: interrogating 2023 general elections in Nigeria. This study formulated three (3) research questions, objectives of the study (specific and broad) and basic assumptions). This study used the thematic style of literature review to look into past and present works of scholars through empirical review. By its methodology, this study is purely quantitative. This is because it generated its data from the field through the use of questionnaire. This study revealed that politics generally in Nigeria defy rationality and rational thinking. This was as a result of the unending cases of electoral malpractices. On trying to understand the motive behind this ugly trend, this study revealed that the absolute control of state power is one of the motives for electoral malpractices in Nigeria. Also, the unlimited access to state resources by politicians explains the motives behind electoral malpractices in Nigeria. It is therefore clear that there are motives fueling this trend in every electoral cycle in the country. Furthermore, it was discovered in this study that there are factors that aid electoral malpractice in Nigeria. Some of which are but not limited to the corrupt nature of security apparatus towards elections aid electoral malpractice in Nigeria. As well, the incumbency factor (federal/state might) towards elections aid the level of malpractice in Nigeria. This particular factor has been expressed in the control and appointment of the Election Management Body (INEC) which constitutionally is under the whims and caprices of the Chief Executive (President) in Nigeria. Put differently, whoever that pays the piper, dictates the tune. Succinctly, this study revealed that electoral malpractice is an anathema to democratic consolidation in Nigeria. This is as this unending monster that has eaten into the length and fabrics of Nigeria’s political system has facilitated voter apathy, passive political participation and bad political socialization. The worst of them all which is that electoral outcomes predicated on malpractice create an atmosphere of distrust for the leadership, state institution and the judiciary.