Good Governance and Credible Elections in Nigeria

Abstract

The electoral process is an ideal and integral part of the democratic process, whether in developed or developing societies. A mat-functioning of electoral system inadvertently produces mat-administration. The mal-function of electoral system is caused by the incident of leadership failure and political violence. In most developing countries, crisis of governance is usually the major problem because of the kind of people chosen into elective position. This paper however examines good governance and credible elections in Nigeria using relative deprivative rising expectation model and frustration aggression mode as it theoretical framework of analysis. The paper also examines credible elections as a determinant factor for good governance in any society. Critical analyses of African countries have clearly shows elections as selective and carry go process which in turn produces bad governance across all levels of government. The paper also recommended some remedies for credible elections such as review the structure, compositions operations and finding of INEC so that it can attain autonomy. INEC to develop a code of conduct for political parties. INEC should institutionalize continuous voter’s registration and make review at the local government level, INEC should develop and popularize a code of conduct for the security agencies’ security sector transformation is a vital component of democratic reform and is crucial to guaranteeing respect for civil rights. New standards of behavior should be set for all members of the security services, including an end to impunity and institutional cover-up. This could necessitate that the National Assembly make changes to existing statues. The government should provide security sector officials with contiuonous training in democratic values, while civil society should develop the capacity to monitor effectively the security agencies and their operations .For any credible elections; those mentioned above remedies must be implemented.