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THE USE OF CHILDREN IN ELECTION IN NIGERIA: A CASE STUDY OF 2015 GENERAL ELECTION
Chapter One Introduction 1.1 Background of the Study An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office Robert, (2011).However, elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operated since the 17th century Ugwu, (2010). Elections is also a process of selecting people to fill in offices like the legislature, the executive and for regional and local government a certain period of time as enshrined in the constitution of the country e.g Nigeria’s public office holders is a fixed term of four (4) years with an option for second term. The history of elections in Nigerian state has been characterized by threats to statehood based on the manipulation of ethnicity as divisive mechanism for the acquisition of political power by political actors, the fragile nature of political cum democratic institutions is acquainted with poor democratic culture among Nigerian citizen (Omodia and Egwemi, 2011). Children involvement as a tool for rigging election in Nigeria is becoming alarming and therefore, a grave violation of our electoral laws and the corruption of our electoral process. According to Suleiman (2016) In truth, child voting, which is rampant in the Northern parts of the country, has been with us for a long time. The reluctance or unwillingness of stakeholders in our electoral process to eradicate it is baffling. The phenomenon is widely condoned. These children freely participate in the voter registration process and the officials who are aware that it is illegal surprisingly register them and allow them to vote. The law enforcement agents sent to provide security and ensure law and order allow this illegality to proceed as if it is normal. Musa and Idris, (2015) survey on the implications of underage involvement in election process in Nigeria, asserts that some officials sometimes claim that the children are allowed to vote because their parents insist they are up to 18. Sometimes they also claim that they allow children to vote because any attempt to stop them could lead to violence in these usually “volatile” parts of the country. These arguments do not hold water. The law enforcement agencies are sent to ensure that all elections are conducted within the provisions of the constitution and the electoral laws. Allowing ineligible children to register and vote is a total abdication of responsibility both by the electoral officials and the law enforcement agents, and we condemn this in the strongest of terms Effiong, (2007). It also amounts to giving unfair advantages to contestants whose strong support bases are in areas where child voters are prevalent, especially during nationwide or presidential elections. 2019 Nigeria general election is by the corner, curbing this menace of underage participation of children in election would take a toil but it would doing to protect the image of Nigeria democracy. According to Ekike, (2017) all voters must report for the cleanup with their Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) for age verification. It is very worrisome that the law enforcement agencies have reduced themselves to mere figureheads or mannequins at the electoral centres instead of enforcing the law or reporting infractions to the appropriate quarters. 1.2 Statement of the Problem The electoral process is a complex process that encompasses the good intentions and undesirable outcomes of election administration, particularly in emerging democracies where general elections are often marred by culturally hued electoral malpractices like underage participation in electoral exercise. In Nigerian case, the truth remains that the electoral process is immensely characterized by a culture of electoral malpractices like illegalities committed by government officials responsible for the conduct of elections, political parties, groups or individuals with sinister intention to influence an election in favour of a candidate or candidates. 1.3. Objectives of the Study 1. To examine the effect of children involvement in election on the image of Nigeria in international society 2. To examine the effect of children involvement in election on the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria in international society 3. To examine the effect of the use of children in election on post-election crisis Nigeria 1.4. Research questions 1. What is the effect of children involvement in election on the image of Nigeria in international society? 2. What is the effect of children involvement in election on the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria in international society? 3. What is the effect of the use of children in election on post-election crisis Nigeria? 1.5. Statement of the hypothesis 1. There is no significant effect of children involvement in election on the image of Nigeria in international society 2. There is no significant effect children involvement in election on the sustenance of democracy in Nigeria in international society 3. There is no significant effect of the use of children in election on post-election crisis Nigeria 1.6. Significance of the study This study has both theoretical and practical significance. Theoretically, the study will add to the existing knowledge on electoral misconducts. It would also serve as an addition to the existing literature on election thus serve as a source of secondary data for future researchers. Practically, the study will help INEC who serve as the “watch dog” of the political transition programmes of governments and policy makers to strive and develop a workable theory and principles founded on the people’s culture, aimed at guarding and guiding the electoral process of Nigeria and undue excesses and recklessness of political leadership. 1.7. Justification of study There are enormous justification of the present study, however, one among others distinctiveness of the rationale of the study is, the study will intersect the existing inquires in this area to form a dependable pool of literature to the benefit of students, scholars, policy makers and researchers. 1.8 Scope of the study The scope is of the study is delimited to the use of children in election Nigeria. A case study of 2015 general election in Nigeria. 1.9 Definition of terms Study Election: An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual to hold public office Children:is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty Democracy: a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives Voting: Voting is a method for a group, such as, a meeting or an electorate to make a decision or express an opinion, usually following discussions, debates or election campaigns Electoral Process: The act or process of electing someone to fill an office or position References