By Samiah Ogunlowo
Recently, a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs), under the umbrella of Joinbodi Cohort, held a conference to launch a research report on political accountability and elections in Nigeria.
The report, which examines political accountability and the 2023 General Elections and was held on May 22, 2023, was attended by stakeholders in Nigeria’s political, electoral, academic and civil society spaces.
A former Federal Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Okey Ibeanu, delivered the keynote address on Promoting Accountability in Nigeria.
Indeed, in Nigeria, a country with an estimated population of over 200 million, political accountability and elections play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s democratic landscape. Since its return to civilian rule in 1999, Nigeria has made significant advancements in its electoral processes, establishing itself as a vibrant democracy in Africa.
However, the journey towards political accountability and a transparent electoral system has encountered numerous challenges and imperfections. Despite notable progress, there remain crucial issues that impede the development of a robust and transparent democratic system.
While the country has experienced several general elections characterised by peaceful transition of power, concerns regarding political accountability and electoral integrity persist, prompting reflections on the strength and effectiveness of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
One of the primary challenges is the issue of corruption, which has deeply entrenched itself in Nigeria’s political landscape. Allegations of embezzlement, bribery, and misappropriation of public funds have eroded public trust in elected officials. The lack of transparency and accountability in governance has hindered socioeconomic development and perpetuated a culture of impunity.
The electoral process in Nigeria has been marred by various shortcomings. Voter intimidation, vote-buying, and irregularities during voter registration and ballot counting have cast doubt on the legitimacy of election outcomes. The influence of money and the misuse of state resources in campaigns have also raised concerns about the fairness and level playing field for candidates.
To address these challenges, Nigeria has taken steps towards electoral reforms. However, more efforts are needed to strengthen the independence and capacity of INEC, enhance voter education, and improve the credibility of elections.
The report launched by Joinbodi, a coalition of 17 CSOs, agrees that players in the civil society space, the media, security agencies, the judiciary, and the electorate themselves have played a vital role in advocating political accountability and electoral transparency. Their efforts in monitoring elections, exposing irregularities, and demanding accountability from elected officials have been instrumental in pushing for positive change. However, their work often faces resistance and threats, highlighting Nigeria’s uphill battle to achieve full political accountability.
Sadly, according to the reports, Nigerians witnessed the most monetised political party primaries ever in the 2023 general elections.
Prof. Ibeanu’s keynote address emphasised the importance of media organisations, CSOs, and traditional rulers in ensuring the accountability of elected officials and the electoral umpire (INEC). He highlighted the close connection between democracy and accountability, emphasising the need for political leaders to be responsive to the people.
According to him, “Political accountability has gained global significance because of awareness creation by several developing countries. There is a great affinity between democracy and accountability. The demand is for political officials to be responsive to the people. A major tenet of political accountability is that the leaders are answerable to the people for their actions and inactions while in office.
The report also revealed that clientelism poses a significant challenge to political accountability, good governance, and democracy in the country. Clientelism is a form of client politics that involves an asymmetric relationship between groups of political actors described as patrons, brokers, and clients. It erodes the political system because organised minority or interest group benefits at the expense of the public.
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The also report shed light on additional challenges, including, political apathy, loopholes in electoral laws and enforcement mechanisms, and concerns regarding campaign financing and political party regulations. It brought attention to the deficiencies in political party laws and regulations related to political financing, revealing that numerous parties failed to submit mandatory reports on assets, liabilities, contributions, and election expenses.
Notably, major political parties such as the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party were found to have exceeded legal spending limits without facing repercussions. The report also identified loopholes in monitoring party and candidate expenditures.
Regarding vote buying, the study found it to be most prevalent in the North Central region, followed by the North-East, South-East, South-West, North-West, and South-South. The report also noted a growing political apathy among citizens, with diminishing trust in the electoral and political processes. Insecurity and the poor performance of elected officials were cited as reasons for the lack of confidence in INEC’s ability to ensure a successful electoral process, as expressed by 39 per cent of the respondents.
Several measures were proposed to improve political accountability and address challenges such as vote buying and inadequate regulation of political financing. For instance, the report recommended that political parties submit regular financial reports, explore alternative sources of funding, and reduce corruption risks.
The establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission was suggested to investigate and punish electoral offenders. The report also called for collaboration between CSOs and INEC, media involvement in monitoring and reporting violations, and increased law enforcement efforts to detect and prevent vote buying.
As emphasised in the various stakeholders sessions during the conference, political accountability goes beyond elections and encompasses the broader governance of a nation, requiring strong institutions, adherence to the rule of law, and efforts to combat corruption.
Nigeria’s future should prioritise reforms that enhance political accountability and uphold the integrity of elections by combating corruption, implementing and enforcing effective anti-corruption legislation, and establishing mechanisms to hold elected officials responsible for their actions. It also entails fostering civic engagement, empowering the electorate, and encouraging active participation in democratic processes.
Although Nigeria’s journey towards political accountability and electoral transparency has seen progress, it still faces significant challenges. Corruption remains a major obstacle, eroding public trust and hindering socioeconomic development. Flaws in the electoral process, such as voter intimidation and irregularities, have raised concerns about fairness and legitimacy.
The Joinbodi Cohort report’s recommendations, such as regular financial reporting by political parties and the establishment of an Electoral Offenses Commission, offer potential solutions. Ultimately, prioritising reforms, combating corruption, and fostering citizen engagement are essential for achieving lasting political accountability and strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
