https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/46 MEPP 2026-08-07T18:41:47Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3558 Political parties in Nigeria: A comparative analysis of APC and PDP manifestos (2013-Date) Umar, Suleiman Yakubu The study examined the role and ideological orientations of Nigeria’s two dominant political parties, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), through a comparative analysis of their manifestos spanning from 2013 to 2025. The core motivation stemmed from the observation that, despite their prominence, Nigerian political parties often articulate similar policy goals yet diverge in their ideological commitments and governance approaches, raising concerns about the authenticity of their ideological adherence and the implications for democratic consolidation. This concern was compounded by the persistent influence of ethnicity, religion, and patronage politics, which often overshadow ideological commitments, thereby weakening democratic accountability and policy coherence. The specific objectives of the study were to analyze and compare the manifestos of PDP and APC, identify their core ideological stances, assess their policy priorities, and evaluate the degree of adherence to these policies in practice. The study adopted a qualitative desk-review methodology and in-depth interview involving use of secondary and primary sources, including official party manifestos, scholarly articles, government and electoral reports, media commentaries, and historical documents. Thematic content analysis was employed to systematically code and classify the data into recurring themes and ideological categories. The analysis was contextualized within the theoretical framework of Elite Theory, which posits that political power remains concentrated among a small ruling elite, and the theory of Historical Materialism, emphasizing economic and social class influences on political ideologies. The key findings revealed that both PDP and APC articulated overlapping commitments to key national issues such as economic growth, security, education, agriculture, infrastructure, and anti-corruption efforts. Despite their ideological differences, both parties exhibited a pattern of pragmatic adaptation, often falling short of their ideological promises during governance, primarily due to systemic corruption, ethnic loyalties, and internal party dynamics that diluted ideological coherence. The study found notable similarities where both parties prioritized economic diversification, security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation, with overlapping policy emphases on anti-corruption, job creation, and infrastructural development. Nonetheless, their strategies differed, PDP favored government-led initiatives and social welfare programs, while APC emphasized deregulation, private sector participation, and institutional reforms. The study also highlighted critical divergences in their approaches to economic policy, security strategies, and governance philosophies, reflecting their underlying ideological orientations. Based on the findings, the study recommended that Nigerian political parties should reinforce their ideological commitments through institutional reforms promoting internal democracy and accountability. Enhanced public engagement, transparency in policy implementation, and rigorous anti-corruption measures will foster ideological integrity and democratic accountability. Furthermore, fostering inclusive policies that represent marginalized groups and emphasizing evidence-based policymaking can bridge the gap between ideology and practice. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3554 Assessing the impact of technology on electoral credibility in Nigeria Young, Queenba Regular and credible elections are the cornerstone of every democracy, as the absence of such processes threatens democratic stability. However, in many developing democracies, political actors often view elections as a zero-sum contest where the winner takes all, frequently resorting to corrupt means to secure victory. In response, Nigeria has undertaken a series of reforms aimed at establishing a credible electoral system that fosters public trust in both the process and outcomes of elections. A key component of these reforms is the introduction of electoral technology. Thus, the study examines the role of technology in enhancing credible elections in Nigeria with a focus on the 2023 Bayelsa state gubernatorial election. Specifically, it examines the impact of election technologies in the November 2023 Bayelsa state gubernatorial elections, and examine the observed weaknesses or challenges in the election despite the application of election technology. This research is essential for understanding the complex intersection of technology, electoral governance, and democratic accountability in Nigeria. It offers evidence-based recommendations that can help reshape electoral reforms and promote sustainable democratic practices. The study adopted a case study research design, a purposive sample of thirty (30) stakeholders including INEC officials, observer groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) was selected. Data were collected using interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis techniques. The study deployed thematic analysis to analyze the data gathered through interview. In objective one, the study found that the 2023 elections, particularly in Bayelsa State, benefited significantly from improved electoral technology especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS). This advancement enhanced accessibility to polling materials, reduced voting time, and boosted public trust by improving the credibility of both the process and the outcomes. However, regarding the second objective, the study identified several challenges. These included logistical and technical issues, equipment malfunctions, poor staff training, inadequate infrastructure, and concerns over data security and vote authenticity. These setbacks caused delays and confusion at polling units and posed risks to the overall integrity of the election process. For objective one the study recommends among others that INEC should synergize with other democratic institutions to continually improve election technology to foster its efficacy and ease the voting and accreditation process. Thus, BVAS malfunction and delays in accrediting voters should be sorted out. The study recommends that INEC should base election result collation and calculation on the results snapped and uploaded to IReV as a measure towards building public trust and avoiding manipulation. For objective two, the study recommends among others that INEC should prioritize experience over cost by recruiting and retaining experienced auxiliary staff whose responsibility is to man the BVAS machines during elections instead of relying on NYSC members. The study concludes that electoral technology as introduced in Bayelsa 2023 election positively impacted the outcome and built public trust in INEC and the electoral process. Although, it encountered a few challenges, those challenges can be effectively addressed by INEC in subsequent elections. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3553 Evaluating the effectiveness of the 2023 campaign slogan of the Labour Party: “we no dey give shishi” via-a-vis the menace of vote trading in the 2023 presidential election. Alika, Festus Uche The evaluation of the slogan's effectiveness is specifically scoped to its interaction with vote trading. The project likely seeks to determine if the slogan had any discernible impact on the prevalence of vote trading, voters' susceptibility to vote trading, or public perception regarding vote trading, in connection with the Labour Party's campaign during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria. The phrase "vis-a-vis" indicates a comparison or a consideration of one thing in relation to another. Therefore, the project is examining the slogan's effectiveness in the face of or in contrast to the challenge posed by vote trading. Vote buying has been a persistent issue in Nigerian elections, undermining democratic processes and influencing electoral outcomes. Historically, political candidates have resorted to financial incentives to sway voters, often leading to a transactional relationship between politicians and constituents. Studies indicate that this practice is prevalent across various regions and demographics, making it a critical factor in understanding voter behavior (Ojo & Adebayo, 2022). Scholars underscore the power of slogans as tools for shaping public perception and voter behavior in electoral campaigns (Nwankwo, 2020). A slogan serves as a rallying cry for a party's vision and ideology, encapsulating its core message in an accessible and memorable phrase (Ekpe, 2019). The Labour Party’s slogan, "We No Dey Give Shishi", explicitly rejected vote-buying, signaling a commitment to ethical politics. A campaign slogan is a short, memorable phrase used in politics and advertising. In politics, where people get elected to office, slogans are used as a short idea. Slogans can be for or against any particular political issue. They are a clever way to advertise and promote your political ideas. A memorable one-line statement used in political campaign advertising. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.nilds.gov.ng//handle/123456789/3549 The role of the European Union observation mission in Nigeria's 2023 General Election Mohammed, Fatsuma Maina This study examined the role of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) in the conduct of Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, which were pivotal in shaping the nation’s democratic trajectory. Nigerian elections had long been plagued by significant challenges, including violence, logistical failures, and allegations of fraud, and political interference, all of which contributed to a decline in public trust in the electoral process. Despite recent reforms, such as the enactment of the Electoral Act 2022 and the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), skepticism about the transparency and fairness of the elections persisted. The objectives of the study were to analyze how the European Union promoted democracy in Nigeria amid evolving domestic challenges and to assess the impact of the EU EOM on the 2023 general elections. The study was significant in strengthening electoral democracy in Nigeria by providing a critical appraisal of the EU EOM's influence. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological case study design, the study selected a sample of twenty (20) stakeholders, including INEC officials, observer groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), and members of academia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. Findings revealed that the absence of clear legal frameworks and weaknesses in electoral administration undermined the transparency, inclusiveness, and credibility of the elections, further eroding public trust in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Additional findings offered several recommendations to address these challenges, such as clarifying ambiguities in electoral law, establishing transparent and accountable procedures for appointing INEC members, ensuring real-time access to election results, enhancing protections for media practitioners, addressing gender discrimination in politics, and combating impunity for electoral offenses. The study recommended that EU observers broaden the scope of their activities to include pre-election and post-election processes, noting that focusing solely on Election Day was insufficient and could not withstand rigorous integrity assessments. Furthermore, the study advocated for comprehensive legal and operational reforms to enhance accountability and transparency, ensure adherence to human rights and the rule of law, and enforce INEC’s campaign regulations through robust monitoring and sanctioning mechanisms to prevent abuse of incumbency and government interference. Ultimately, the study concluded that the EU EOM played a significant role in advancing Nigeria’s democratic development during the 2023 general elections. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z