Preventive action and conflict mitigation in Nigeria’s 2015 elections

Prior to the 2015 Nigerian general elections, there were concerns that the fierce political contest would lead to electoral violence in the country. However, the elections were conducted peacefully, with fewer disputes and election-related deaths than previous elections. This study accounts for the fall in the level of electoral violence in Nigeria and discusses the lessons that Nigeria’s experience presents. It argues that the avoidance of destructive electoral disputes in Nigeria was the result of preventive action taken by the country’s electoral commission, civil society groups, and development partners. The specific preventive actions taken include innovations in election administration aimed at enhancing electoral transparency and credibility, election security measures such as early warning and peace messaging, and preventive diplomacy urging the main candidates and the political elite to embrace peace. The key lesson that can be drawn from Nigeria’s experience is that a well thought out conflict prevention strategy should be an integral part of electoral governance, especially in countries with a high risk of electoral violence.     

Bahamas: procedural law

This article investigates the legal basis for the implementation of sustainable development in Nigeria. It analyzes several contemporary challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria as well as the obstacles hindering the effective implementation of sustainable development in Nigeria. The article suggests several legal and policy strategies that will enhance the implementation of sustainable development in Nigeria and emphasizes the need for legal and policy measures that will stimulate the participation of citizens in the implementation of sustainable development.     

Public infrastructural development and economic performance in Africa: a new evidence from panel data analysis

Economic Change and Restructuring - This study examined the effects of both aggregate and disaggregated infrastructural development indices (such as transport, electricity, ICT, and water and...     

Making democracy safe: Policies tackling electoral violence in Africa

This article analyses the ways in which African countries are grappling with the problem of electoral violence. It argues that, although electoral violence has posed a serious challenge to democratic consolidation and peace in Africa, knowledge of how to prevent and or manage it is largely inadequate. Much of the academic interest in electoral violence has focused on defining the phenomenon, particularly analysing its causes, scope, patterns and consequences. This article examines the measures adopted by Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria to manage electoral violence. The specific measures analysed in this study include: (1) establishment of commissions of inquiry; (2) mediation in high-tension situations; and (3) regulation of political activities. While these measures represent significant efforts to curb electoral violence in Africa, they do not, of course, directly address the underlying causes of the problem. Electoral violence will continue to pose serious challenges to democracy and peace in Africa until the lingering socio-economic and political tensions and the lack of credibility of the electoral process in many African countries are addressed; however, in the meantime, to save lives, it is worth putting into place effective deterrents to election violence wherever it threatens.     

An appraisal of the legal frameworks for the control of environmental pollution in Nigeria

This article examines Nigeria’s pollution abatement laws. It highlights some of the problems of these laws, as well as other factors hindering the control of environmental pollution in Nigeria. The article suggests a comprehensive review of most pollution abatement laws with a view to entrenching adequate penal sanctions and enhancing the powers of regulatory institutions and also increasing public participation in environmental protection.