Elections are a fundamental mechanism for altering the power balance in any society. Ideally, they provide an avenue for the peaceful transfer of power, allowing citizens to choose their leaders through a transparent and credible process. However, in many contexts, elections are marred by violence, often fueled by unresolved grievances, political exclusion, socio-economic disparities, and the activities of spoilers who seek to maintain their influence by any means necessary. In Nigeria , electoral violence remains a recurring challenge, with each election cycle witnessing varying degrees of conflict, ranging from intimidation and ballot box snatching to large-scale communal clashes. There are many reasons for and causes of electoral violence in Nigeria but two key dynamics influence whether elections proceed peacefully or descend into violence. The first relates to the broader context in which elections take place. Countries or regions with a history of political violence, unresolved...
...so, why ask why?