Election Violence and Democracy in Nigeria: A Study of the 2011 and 2015 General Elections in Lagos State

This paper examines election violence and democracy in Nigeria with focus on the 2011 and 2015 general elections in Lagos State. The study adopts a qualitative method basically from primary data (oral interview) and secondary data, using observations, journal articles, newspaper reports and report of INEC obtained online. The study was anchored on the Frustration Aggression Theory in understanding the rational for engaging in electoral violence. It reveals that election violence was caused by many factors including; lack of internal democracy within political parties, inefficiency of the electoral commissions, inadequate security personnel, inadequate voter education, voters’ bribery, rumour of rigging, among others. Therefore, the paper recommends among others that political leaders should play positive roles in building effective government through their constitutional duties and mandates. All political parties in Nigeria should endeavour to make internal democracy within the party a top priority