DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

This study examined the effect of party politics and the nature of political campaigns in Nigeria, with specific emphasis on the 2023 presidential election in Edo State. Proportionate stratified random sampling was used to select 135 respondents and this formed our sample size. Three hypothesis was formulated to guide the study. The data used in this study was collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary method or sources of data collection included the use of a research instrument (the questionnaire). Some research questions were asked as guide to the respondents in order to elicit firsthand information on the subject matter. Secondary sources of data collection on the other hand, included textbooks, journal, government documents and internet materials. The study adopted the use of simple percentage, tables, descriptive content approach and Chi-Square to analyze the data collected and test hypothesis. The study revealed that there is significant relationship between language used by politicians and electoral violence, it was also revealed that political debates/interview has positive significant influence on electorates during election in Edo State. Based on the research findings, the study recommended that Political candidates and parties should strive to practice politics without bitterness by making frantic efforts to inform or persuade electorates rather than deceive them with enticing words. Political candidates and parties should adopt simple expressions to communicate their political agenda without the use of force, violence, destructive tendencies and unhealthy rivalry.

This research study examined National Question of State Police as a Panacea to Security in Edo South Senatorial District, Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the crime rates in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, find out the most common crime in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, ascertain the roles of State Police in crime control in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, and determine the perception of the Edo South residents towards State Police if established. Anchored on structural functionalism theory as the theoretical framework of the study, the research descriptive survey design methods and questionnaires to obtain information and employ frequencies and percentages to analyze data. The research unveils that there is a high rate of crime in the senatorial district, kidnapping rank first among the common crime in the senatorial district, followed by cultism, theft/burglary, then rape, and fighting, Edo South senatorial district residents perceived that the if State Police get established, will be very good, worthwhile and commendable. It was suggested that the government should make a priority to meaningfully engage the youth in the county thereby reducing the rate of unemployment, for an adage says "idle hands are the devil's workshop, the establishment of the State Police is strategic to the national security of the country because of its size and heterogeneous nature. The State Police if created will not only decongest the administrative stress at the federal level but will also have a closer chief of security officer in the person of the governor monitoring to address security issues before they escalate, to this end if it gets initiated, it should be guided against abuse by State actors.

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 examined the impact of ethnic politics on voter apathy and behavior during the 2023 presidential election in Edo State, Nigeria. Guided by four key objectives, the study assessed the influence of ethnic loyalty, ethnic leaders, perceived marginalization, and ethnic sentiment over policy on electoral participation. A descriptive and explanatory survey design was adopted, with data collected from 100 purposively selected respondents across the three senatorial districts of Edo State. Primary data were gathered through structured questionnaires, complemented by secondary sources such as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) reports. Descriptive statistics and multiple regression analysis were employed to test the study’s hypotheses. The findings revealed a considerable level of voter apathy driven by distrust in the electoral process, fear of violence, poor voter education, and disillusionment with the political class. Ethnic identity emerged as a significant determinant of voting behavior, as loyalty to ethnic candidates, influence of ethnic leaders, and perceptions of marginalization strongly shaped political choices. The study recommends strengthening electoral institutions, enforcing laws against ethnic- based campaigning, enhancing civic and voter education, fostering youth engagement in governance, and ensuring electoral security. Addressing these challenges is critical to promoting inclusive participation, reducing voter apathy, and consolidating Nigeria’s democracy.

This study was to carry out a comparative study on the impact of social on the political mobilization and public opinion: a case study of the Nigerian 2023 presidential election. The study was necessary to examine how impactful social media was on political mobilization and public opinion a case study of the Nigerian 2023 presidential election. The study adopts the investigative survey research method. The research instrument was a well-structured questionnaire. The questionnaire was validated by the project supervisor for final correction. The reliability test was carried out using the test re-test method to arrive at a value that was reliable. Questionnaires were administered and answers offered were collated and analyzed using the frequency count, mean and standard deviation, while regression analysis was used to test for hypothesis. Findings from the study revealed that social media was impactful on the political mobilization and public opinion a case study of the Nigerian 2023 presidential election, it will help ordinary Nigerians understand how social media affected the 2023 presidential election; it will reveal both negative and positive effects of social media on political mobilisation and public opinion

This research study examined National Question of State Police as a Panacea to Security in Edo South Senatorial District, Nigeria. The study aimed to determine the crime rates in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, find out the most common crime in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, ascertain the roles of State Police in crime control in Edo South Senatorial District, Edo State, and
determine the perception of the Edo South residents towards State Police if established. Anchored on structural functionalism theory as the theoretical framework of the study, the research descriptive survey design methods and
questionnaires to obtain information and employ frequencies and percentages to analyze data. The research unveils that there is a high rate of crime in the senatorial district, kidnapping rank first among the common crime in the
senatorial district, followed by cultism, theft/burglary, then rape, and fighting, Edo South senatorial district residents perceived that the if State Police get established, will be very good, worthwhile and commendable. It was suggested
that the government should make a priority to meaningfully engage the youth in the county thereby reducing the rate of unemployment, for an adage says "idle hands are the devil's workshop, the establishment of the State Police is strategic to the national security of the country because of its size and heterogeneous nature. The State Police if created will not only decongest the administrative stress at the federal level but will also have a closer chief of security officer in the person of the governor monitoring to address security issues before they escalate, to this end if it gets initiated, it should be guided against abuse by State actors.

This study examines the impact of inflation on Nigerians' standard of living under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration (2023–2024). Inflation has significantly affected purchasing power, food security, income inequality, unemployment, and access to social welfare services such as healthcare and education. Using a quantitative research approach, data were collected from 127 respondents through a structured
questionnaire. The findings reveal that inflation has reduced household purchasing power, increased food insecurity, widened income inequality, and contributed to rising unemployment. Additionally, inflation has negatively impacted access to quality healthcare and education, as many households struggle to afford these essential services. Despite government efforts, existing policies have been largely ineffective in mitigating the effects of inflation. To address these challenges, the study recommends stronger monetary and fiscal policies to stabilize prices, targeted interventions to improve food security, wage and tax reforms to reduce income inequality, job creation initiatives to support small businesses, and increased investment in social welfare services. Implementing these measures can help reduce inflation's adverse effects, stabilize the economy, and improve the standard of living for Nigerians

This study examines how social media was utilized to shape Political discourse and citizen ’ s engagement in political processes during the 2023 obidient movement . It reveals the strategies employed By organizers of the campaign on social media and the challenges encountered. Data was collected from respondents via interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis using survey research methods. The findings indicate a strong link between social media, political discourse and citizen’s engagement during the Obidient movement with social media being vital in maintaining its momentum. However, a major challenge in using social media for the movement was the spread of false information among youths. After a thorough investigation, the researcher recommended that youths focus on educating themselves about media literacy and always analyze and verify information before dissemination

Political patronage plays a significant role in the implementation of public policies in Nigeria, often shaping the effectiveness and sustainability of such programs. This study examines the impact of political patronage on the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) in Benin City. The study explores how political interference affects policy execution, resource allocation, and beneficiaryselection, while also assessing the long-term consequences of patronage on policy sustainability. A survey research design was adopted, with data collected from 236 respondents using structured questionnaires. The findings reveal that political patronage has led to inefficiencies, favoritism, and misallocation of resources, undermining the original objectives of SURE-P. Moreover, the study highlights public concerns over political interference in beneficiary selection, which has limited the program’s developmental impact. The research recommends institutional reforms, enhanced transparency, and stronger anti-corruption measures to ensure effective and equitable policy implementation. These findings contribute to the discourse on governance and public policy in Nigeria.

This study examined the Impact of Social Media on COVID-19 Pandemic in Nigeria citing Edo State as its case study. Social media is fundamental in the dissemination of information about the deadly coronavirus as it has always been with several other phenomena. From the city of Wuhan, China, the deadly pandemic brought huge devastation to the international community. In the wake of this, Edo State which is one of Nigeria’s states isn’t spared as the visibility of the spread called for precautionary measures. To further understand the impact or role of social media, the study keenly adopted both primary and secondary sources of data. In the primary source, the quantitative methodology was adopted with questionnaires issued to respondents in both Ekpoma, Auchi and Oredo to make up for the three Senatorial Districts in the State. While secondary data such as newspapers, magazines, texts, the internets was employed for historical analysis. The findings of the study showed that the social media was instrumental in combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Edo State showing a positive relationship between the variables. Finally, the study recommended the importance of government assistance in boosting the position of technology in Edo State and Nigeria at larg