Voting Behaviour in Osun 2014 Governorship Election in Nigeria

Abstract

The August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun state, South West Nigeria was another test run for the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) towards the 2015 General election. The election was important because it occurred not long after the Ekiti state governorship election of June 21, 2014 which was largely adjudged to be free and fair. Besides, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate won the Ekiti election by defeating the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate who was the incumbent. The Ekiti election increased the momentum in Osun as the PDP was emboldened that it could pull the same feat in Osun, while the APC was hell bent on avoiding another slip.At the end of the day, the APC won in Osun and the PDP lost. What was responsible for this outcome? Why was the PDP not able to repeat the feat it achieved in Ekiti? These are the questions facing this paper. This paper will blend the unique aspects of the Osun election with a more general understanding of electoral behaviour to create a full explanation.

Keywords: Voting behaviour, Election, Nigeria, Osun state, INEC, PDP, APC, Aregbesola, Omisore