INEC and the 2015 General Elections in Nigeria: Matters Arising

Abstract

The paper examines the powers and responsibilities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the conducts of elections in Nigeria; particularly, that of the 2015 general election.  Content Analytical Approach was adopted and David Easton’s Systems theory was used as theoretical foundation.  Despite the general acceptance of the 2015 presidential election as free, fair and transparent, there were observed flaws that bedeviled the election.  However, it was indeed, an improvement on past elections in Nigeria.  The paper recommends amongst others; that INEC needs to be truly independent in all ramifications to discharge its duties impartially so as to ensure credible elections and enthrone sustainable democracy in the country; the new government should tackle the issues of corruption, security, unemployment and poverty frontally.  Instead of dissipating energies chasing those who have defrauded the country in the past, the administration should embark on aggressive reconciliation, reconstruction and rehabilitation of hitherto aggrieved factions; ensure institutional and human capacity development because, development itself, would raise its own armies to fight corruption.

Keywords: INEC, PDP, APC, Election, Challenges, Sustainable democracy.