DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

This study examine the Anti-corruption crusade under Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari administration: A comparative study, The specific objectives are to determine the extent to which the public are aware of the anti-corruption crusade of both administration, to ascertain the level of public knowledge about the anti- corruption campaign, to identify the source of public knowledge about the anti- corruption crusade, to examine the perception of the people about the anti- corruption crusade method of data analysis data collected were presented quantitatively using simple frequency tables, percentages and numbers. The findings of the study, it is safe to conclude that the awareness on the anti- corruption crusade of Mr. President Goodluck Jonathan has gained grounds in South-South, Nigeria. This, no doubt, is the reason for the impressive 60% knowledge of the crusade among the people. For which 55.5% of the respondents are not satisfied with the corruption drive so far. This raises a big question on the drive itself and the way it is being approached. The Recommendations of the public need to predispose themselves to the acquisition of knowledge on the anticorruption drive of President Buhari. This is because 60% knowledge might not be enough to appreciate the effort of this administration in fighting corruption. On the aspect of the sources of information, it is recommended that people should use their new media gadgets to source for more information regarding the anti-corruption drive. This will no doubt improve the knowledge of the people on the approach and strategies taken to curb corruption in the country.

This study investigates the role of religion in shaping voter turnout during the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, with a particular focus on how religious institutions, faith leaders, and religious identities influenced political participation. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined survey data from respondents with in-depth interviews from selected religious leaders, the research explored four key areas: religious mobilization efforts, turnout patterns in Christian and Muslim communities, the influence of religious affiliation on participation, and voters’ perceptions of religion’s role in electoral decision making.
The findings reveal that religion served as both a motivational and moral force In the electoral process. The quantitative results showed that a significant proportion of voters believed religious institutions shaped their willingness to vote and influenced how they assessed candidates’ credibility. In-depth interviews with religious leaders also buttressed this fact, especially in communities where political
apathy had been historically high. While some religious leaders actively encouraged civic participation, many expressed a commitment to political neutrality, highlighting the tension between moral guidance and partisan restraint. The study concludes that religion remains a powerful social force in Nigeria, capable of encouraging voter participation, shaping political judgement, and reinforcing collective identity. However, it also cautions that the intersection of faith and politics must be managed with care to avoid polarization.
The research recommends greater use of religious spaces for civic education, increased collaboration between faith groups and civic organizations, and further scholarly exploration of regional variations in religious political engagement. This work contributes to ongoing debates on democracy, identity, and political participation in multi-religious societies.

Examining Twitter Network Restriction: A Violation of Nigerian Citizens' Fundamental Rights (A Case Study of Twitter Ban) with Edo State as a case study is the study's main objective. The study readily enrolled 90 individuals and used a survey research approach. But from the recruited participants, a total of 85 replies were received and verified. Chi-Square was used as a statistical method to test the hypothesis (SPSS). The study's conclusions showed that the Twitter network ban severely violated Nigerian individuals' fundamental human rights. It also breaches Section 39 of the Constitution by impairing the social
and economic rights that Nigerian people are given by Chapter 11 of the Constitution by breaching their right to freedom of communication, association, and expression. Furthermore, the study's findings showed that the now-repealed Twitter ban was a grave abuse of power since it put the president's personal interests ahead of those of the nation and its citizens and was not implemented democratically. The study consequently suggests that, in the future, the federal
government of Nigeria should endeavour to follow constitutional processes and guidelines in ways of dealing with situations like these. The Nigerian federal government should also acknowledge that the Twitter Network ban has an impact on a variety of economic sectors

This study, titled Exploring Feminism and the Decline of Women’s Participation in Nigerian Politics, investigates the systemic and historical factors contributing to the underrepresentation of women in Nigerian political leadership, despite their significant demographic presence. Utilizing a feminist theoretical framework, the research examines the interplay of patriarchy, colonial legacies, and socio-cultural barriers that have marginalized women since Nigeria’s independence in 1960. Despite constitutional guarantees of non-discrimination and international commitments like the Maputo Protocol, women occupy only 5.2% of seats in the National Assembly as of 2023, with only 381 female candidates among 4,259 in the 2023 elections. Conducted in Ovia North East Local Government Area, Edo State, the study employed a survey research design with a sample of 120 respondents, using a structured questionnaire analyzed via SPSS for frequency and percentage distributions. Findings reveal low social acceptance of women’s political roles, with women constituting about 60% of the electorate but holding less than 20% of political offices. Historical data indicate a shift from pre-colonial gender balance to post-colonial patriarchal entrenchment, with challenges including inadequate knowledge of political rights (71.67% agreement), family responsibilities (74.17%), cultural stereotypes (64.17%), financial constraints (74.16%), and gender inequality (65%). Proposed measures to enhance participation include eliminating discrimination (77.5%), ensuring equal opportunities (85%), creating harassment-free environments (76.67%), empowering women through human resource development (80.84%), and building NGO coalitions (84.16%). The study aligns with existing literature highlighting patriarchy and resource gaps as key barriers while recommending policy reforms, economic empowerment, and advocacy to achieve gender parity in Nigerian politics. This research contributes to feminist discourse and provides actionable insights for policymakers, civil society, and stakeholders to foster inclusive governance and advance gender equality in Nigeria.

Underdevelopment in Nigeria has been attributed to numerous factors, both internal and external, which continue to hinder the nation’s socio-economic progress. Overcoming these challenges is a very necessary topic for both the general public and the government. It is essential for sustainable development and national growth. The study seeks to explain and understand the root causes of underdevelopment in Nigeria and examine its effect on society and the state. It also explores possible pathways for overcoming these challenges, drawing insights from scholarly suggestions and recommendations, empirical research, and past studies. The research adopts a qualitative approach, relying on secondary data from academic articles, books, government and international bodies reports, and publicized works. Through the use of theories like the Modernization theory, the Dependency theory, and the Human Development theory, we are able to understand the causes of and solutions to underdevelopment. Finding reveal that corruption, weak institutions, and the structural nature of Nigeria's economy has contributed significantly to underdevelopment. External factors such as unequal trade relations, foreign aid dependency, and the colonial legacy further compound the problem. All these have hindered development efforts, and continue to make life hard for citizens, while moving the state backwards.

This study examines the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in monitoring political party campaign financing in Nigeria, with particular reference to Edo State. The research explores the extent to which INEC fulfills its constitutional mandate of ensuring transparency, accountability, and compliance with electoral laws governing political financing. It identifies key challenges faced by the Commission, including inadequate legal enforcement mechanisms, limited financial and human resources, lack of political will, weak inter-agency collaboration, and the pervasive influence of money in politics. Using a mixed-method approach comprising
questionnaires, , and document analysis, the study assesses the effectiveness of INEC’s monitoring framework and the level of compliance among political parties in Edo State. Findings reveal that despite existing regulations, campaign financing in Nigeria remains largely opaque and under-regulated, thereby undermining the integrity of the electoral process. The study recommends strengthening INEC’s institutional capacity, revising electoral laws to include stricter sanctions for violations, enhancing transparency through digital financial tracking systems, and promoting civic education on campaign finance ethics. These measures are essential for fostering credible elections and deepening democratic governance in Nigeria

This study examined the relationship between interparty rivalry and national development in Nigeria, focusing on the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study aimed to assess how political rivalry, policy implementation, party system balance, and socioeconomic consequences influence national development. A quantitative survey research design was adopted, and data were collected through the administration of structured questionnaires to selected respondents. The data viii obtained were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, including multiple regression analysis, with the aid of SPSS Version 27. The results revealed that political rivalry had a significant negative effect on national development (β = 0.362, p = 0.000), indicating that excessive competition and political intolerance weaken governance and hinder progress. Policy implementation and party system balance both showed significant positive effects (β = 0.328, p = 0.001; β = 0.314, p = 0.002 respectively), suggesting that effective governance and stable political structures promote sustainable development. Socioeconomic consequences, such as unemployment and insecurity, had the strongest impact on national development (β = 0.386, p = 0.001). The regression model produced an R value of 0.734 and an R Square of 0.645, indicating that about 64.5% of the variation in national development is explained by the combined effects of the independent variables. The study concluded that interparty rivalry among major political parties in Nigeria poses a major obstacle to national development by fostering instability, policy inconsistency, and weak governance cooperation. It recommends the promotion of political tolerance, institutional reforms, policy continuity, and interparty dialogue to enhance democratic maturity and sustainable development in Nigeria.

This research work seeks to explore the herder/farmer conflicts and human security in Enugu State, Nigeria, with a view to situating its nature, causes, dynamics, effects and implications. By way of historical analysis of previous and present studies anchored on the political ecology perspective, the research posits that the conflicts have been informed by the desperate struggle for competitive survival and subsistence in an environment characterized by ecological scarcity and livelihood insecurity. The study had the following specific objectives; determine the socio-economic attributes of the rural crop herders/farmers; identify the sources of herders famers conflicts in rural farmers on rural development and describe the methods adopted to resolve herders assess the ecological effects of migration but others farmers on rural development and describe the methods adopted to resolve others from us conflicts with rural crops in the area. The research finds that the situation has been exacerbated by the phenomenon of climate change, whose dynamics tend to have been aggravating natural resource conflicts across the world. The research submits that the conflicts situation under review portends negatively for sustainable societal progress especially national security in Nigeria.

This study examines the anti-corruption efforts and their socio-economic impact during President Muhammadu Buhari's administration in Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. Buhari's tenure was characterized by a robust commitment to combat endemic corruption through legislative reforms, institutional strengthening, and high-profile prosecutions. The administration established new anti-corruption agencies, implemented stricter penalties, and introduced whistleblower protection programs, resulting in a notable increase in convictions and asset recoveries. However, challenges such as resource constraints, bureaucratic hurdles, and occasional political interference persisted, affecting the efficacy and public perception of these initiatives. Despite these challenges, Buhari's administration made significant strides in laying the groundwork for enhanced transparency, accountability, and governance in Nigeria, setting a precedent for future anti-corruption efforts in the country.

The impact of social media has been fundamental in increasing citizen’s political
participation in recent elections in Nigeria. The objective of this study is to examine if social
media has been a tool to rejuvenate the interest of the citizens in political participation with a specific focus on the 2023 election in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State. Democratic procedural theory was used to demonstrate how social media revitalized the interest of citizen in political participation. The research design is mainly qualitative study. Awell constructed questions tailored along the objectives of the study in formof an in-depth interview were used to collect data form 10 knowledgeable experts who resides withinthelocal government. It was found out that the social medial has increased voters’ participationin the 2023 election. The study also unveiled that social media has helped to sensitize citizento make aim informed decision in the 2023 election. The study recommends amongst others, the government and other concerned organization should help to spread internet to the rural
area of Nigeria to enable more political participation. The lastly, the study recommendthereduction of harsh Dracula laws that discourage citizens political process participation, thereby fostering freedom of speech and online community building.