POLITICAL POWER ALTERNATION AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN POST COLONIAL AFRICA: EXPERIENCES IN NIGERIA AND KENYA, 1999 - 2016

Authors

  • Netchy MBAEZE Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu , Enugu State, Nigeria.
  • Chukwuma Rowland OKOLI Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu
  • Willy OKONKWO Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu

Keywords:

Alternation in Power, Democracy, Development, Violence

Abstract

This study examines whether alternation in power has minimized the incidence of electoral violence in selected post-colonial African states. The study is anchored on the theory of Post-Colonial State. It adopted documentary method of data collection and content analysis of data. Based on evidence from Nigeria and Kenya which formed our case studies, we demonstrated that in post-colonial African states, where the political power alternation is achieved via rainbow coalition of opposition political parties, the emergent regime is bound to be consumed with the quest to consolidate their hold on state power and to annihilate the opposition. This will ignite vicious circle of battle for state power at all cost thereby escalating electoral violence in the polity. The study avers that focusing on democratic consolidation through strengthening the electoral institutions by the incumbent would mitigate the incidence of electoral violence and ipso facto stabilize the polity in post-colonial African states.

Author Biographies

Netchy MBAEZE, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Enugu , Enugu State, Nigeria.

Department of Political Science

Chukwuma Rowland OKOLI, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu

Department of Political Science and International Relations

Willy OKONKWO, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu

Department of Political Science and International Relations

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Published

2018-07-17

How to Cite

MBAEZE, N., OKOLI, C. R., & OKONKWO, W. (2018). POLITICAL POWER ALTERNATION AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN POST COLONIAL AFRICA: EXPERIENCES IN NIGERIA AND KENYA, 1999 - 2016. Socialscientia: Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(3). Retrieved from https://journals.aphriapub.com/index.php/SS/article/view/165

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