Politics of Inconclusive Election and the Role of Elites in Nigerian Politics: A Review of Gubernatorial Elections in Northern Nigeria 2019-2023

Abstract

Election is one of the vital mechanisms that allow citizens to select their representatives who take charge of their leadership. Elections in most contemporary democracies have been a serious dilemma due to the massive irregularities associated with their conduct, which affect the credibility of the election and turn to inconclusive elections. Inconclusive elections in Nigeria became the biggest challenge that has been troubling the Nigerian democratic journey, and it has been used either as a source of winning the election or to disrupt the election process through some illegitimate ways. The study, therefore, examined the role of elites in determining the outcome in favor of the ruling party during the gubernatorial election in Northern Nigeria from 2019-2023. The paper used a qualitative research approach where both primary and secondary data were collected using in-depth interviews with some selected stakeholders as informants, and secondary data were also collected from journals, books, and government documents. The study found that there is a mixed reaction toward the factors that determine the outcome of the gubernatorial election such that the incumbent factor plays a significant role in determining the election outcomes, the study also found that the political elites use all avenues to win the election at all costs using state resources, court litigation and security agency and manipulation to change the election result in favor of their party and candidates. The study recommended that to avoid elite interference in election outcomes, the appointment of the INEC chairman and other positions should be independent of the government, and all other stakeholders should stick to their assigned duties and responsibilities.