Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Political participation plays a crucial role in the process of democratic consolidation within a society. The 2015 election in Nigeria serves as a significant case study to understand the relationship between political participation and democratic consolidation. This research project aims to analyze the various forms of political participation observed during the 2015 election and their impact on the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria. The research will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. Surveys will be conducted to gather quantitative data on the levels of political participation, including voter turnout, engagement in political campaigns, and participation in protests or demonstrations. In addition, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions will be conducted to explore the motivations and perceptions of individuals regarding their political participation during the 2015 election. The findings of this research project will contribute to the existing literature on political participation and democratic consolidation by providing insights into the specific dynamics at play during the 2015 election in Nigeria. By examining the different forms of political participation, such as voting, activism, and engagement with political parties, this study aims to shed light on how these activities influence the process of democratic consolidation. Moreover, the research will also investigate the role of political institutions and electoral processes in shaping political participation and its impact on democratic consolidation. By analyzing the electoral system, party structures, and legal frameworks surrounding the 2015 election, this study seeks to understand how these institutional factors either facilitated or hindered political participation among Nigerian citizens. The implications of this research project extend beyond the case of Nigeria and can provide valuable insights for other countries seeking to strengthen their democratic processes. By identifying the factors that promote political participation and democratic consolidation, policymakers and stakeholders can develop strategies to enhance citizen engagement in political processes and promote the sustainability of democracy. In conclusion, this research project on political participation and democratic consolidation in the 2015 election in Nigeria aims to deepen our understanding of the complex relationship between citizen engagement and the consolidation of democracy. By examining this critical juncture in Nigeria's political history, this study seeks to provide valuable insights for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in promoting democratic development in diverse contexts.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

 Background to the Study

Throughout the World today, political systems are undergoing qualitative transformation from authoritarian to participatory regimes. This worldwide trend, otherwise known as democratization (Elekwa, 2008:iv) has made the issue of election a critical political imperative. Election as a democratic practice refers to the system whereby the citizenry (organized as electorate) consciously choose people into civic roles through a competitive selection process (Raymond, 2000:164). International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences vol.5 defines election “as a procedure of aggregating preferences of a particular kind”. The two features of this definition are procedure and preferences. By procedure, the concept is used to describe a special way of doing something while preference connotes choice between alternatives. Election can also be described as a procedure that allows members of an organization, community or a nation to choose representatives who will hold positions of authority within it. According to Givinn and Norton, (1992) election is the formal process of selecting a person for public office or accepting or registering a political proposition by voting. They state further that an election is one of the means by which a society may organize itself and make specified formal decisions, adding that where voting is free, it acts simultaneously as a system for making certain decisions regarding the power relations in a society and as a method for seeking political obedience with a minimum of sacrifice of the individual‟s freedom.

The essence of a democratic election is a freedom of choice. During elections, the electorate is given the opportunity to choose between alternative programmes of contestants. Elections also promote public accountability. The threat of defeat at the polls exerts pressure on those in power to conduct themselves in a responsible manner and take account of popular interests and demands when they make their decisions. There is no one accepted procedure of election. In ancient Greece, various types of procedures were used. These include voting by show of hands, written votes and ballots. In the old Roman Republic, elections of principal officers were by a plurality of tribes. In the medieval church, the election of superiors was by a small electorate consisting of those next in rank. However, with the emergence of liberal democracy in the seventeenth and eighteenth century in Western Europe, the concept of election took new meaning anchored on the principles of consent franchise and representation.