SUSTAINING THE VALUES AND VIRTUES OF POLITICAL PARTICIPATION IN THE ELECTIONEERING PROCESS IN NIGERIA

This paper explores the ideals of political participation and the values and virtues it is supposed to propagate in a democratic setting as we approach the threshold of a new political dispensation. It takes a historical review of the electioneering process in Nigeria and how this has been riddled with thuggery, rigging of elections, god fatherism, political praise singing, constitutional manipulations and amendments to favour the party in power. Cases of assassinations, arson and murder have occurred as a way of destabilizing the opposition. Corruption has become the order of the day while the need for capacity building has been completely neglected. The culture of poverty has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society and so people sell their votes to the detriment of the political process. It concludes with the assertion that only an independent electoral commission free from governmental interference is desirable for the co1mtry. Also is the need for us to change our values towards selflessness, sincerity and integrity so as to enhance the gains of our nascent democracy