NIGERIA 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The introduction and imposition of ethnic identity and religious bigotry on the Nigerian body politics by the colonial masters, the country suffered devious nomenclature that keeps on dividing, creating suspicion with an enthroned animosity among the people. As political governance of the state consistently centred on these factors, the country gradually snowballed into a fledging state. Thus, the people in 2015, aware of the utilities of democracy and democratic governance, a panacea to arresting this problematic hydride puts aside ethnic identity and religious bigotry, even when it was employed to the extreme, to deciding on merit on who leads them. The 2015 election, a democratic revolution towards actualizing the aspirations of many is situated on game theory framework. The study utilizes analytical concepts and documentary approaches. The study notes that the populace had been manipulated by the political actors for long using these factors. The study observed that ethnic identity and religious bigotry was totally ignored by the masses in making their choice. The study shows that the people, determined for change were eager to use their votes judiciously. The study revealed that despite huge financial inducement acting as catalysis(m), that the electorates were not deterred. The study suggests that politicians and political parties electioneering campaign should be issues based.