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Abstract
The study examined ethnicity and voting in Nigeria: A case study of the 2023 general
elections in Edo State. The objectives of the study were to examine how ethnicity act as significant determinant of political allegiance in Nigeria; to evaluate whether ethnic Composition of Edo State influence the Political Landscape; to ascertain if ethnic voting patterns in the 2023 General Election in Edo State, to find out factors influencing ethnicity and voting in 2023. The study adopted survey design using questionnaires as instrument of data. The study adopted the percentage and chi-square statistical instrument to analyze the data collected from field survey. The findings revealed that ethnicity act as significant determinant of political allegiance in Nigeria, this implies that key drivers included a sense of ethnic solidarity, the perception of political exclusion, and promises of local development. Many voters expressed the belief that electing a candidate from their ethnic group would result in better access to government services and development projects. The ethnic composition of Edo State influence the political landscape, while ethnic voting can be seen as a reflection of communal solidarity, it also poses a threat to democratic ideals by undermining merit-based selection of leaders. It promotes division, fosters electoral violence, and reduces the likelihood of cross-ethnic cooperation. The ethnic voting patterns in the 2025 General Election in Edo State, that is analysis of voting data revealed a strong correlation between ethnic identity and candidate preference. Voters from specific ethnic groups predominantly supported candidates from their communities, particularly in local government areas with high ethnic homogeneity. The study recommended that strengthen civic education programs to emphasize the importance of competence, integrity, and policy alignment in candidate selection. Voters should be educated on the negative consequences of ethnic voting and the benefits of merit-based leadership. Governance foster inclusive equitable distribution of development projects and public appointments across all ethnic groups. This can reduce the perception that political power benefits only specific communities. Introduce electoral reforms to promote proportional representation, which would encourage candidates to seek support beyond their ethnic constituencies. This could be achieved by adjusting constituency boundaries or introducing multi-member constituencies. Political parties should be mandated to promote diversity in candidate selection and ensure that party tickets are distributed in a manner that reflects ethnic balance. Parties should al so be held accountable for promoting inclusion and tolerance.
elections in Edo State. The objectives of the study were to examine how ethnicity act as significant determinant of political allegiance in Nigeria; to evaluate whether ethnic Composition of Edo State influence the Political Landscape; to ascertain if ethnic voting patterns in the 2023 General Election in Edo State, to find out factors influencing ethnicity and voting in 2023. The study adopted survey design using questionnaires as instrument of data. The study adopted the percentage and chi-square statistical instrument to analyze the data collected from field survey. The findings revealed that ethnicity act as significant determinant of political allegiance in Nigeria, this implies that key drivers included a sense of ethnic solidarity, the perception of political exclusion, and promises of local development. Many voters expressed the belief that electing a candidate from their ethnic group would result in better access to government services and development projects. The ethnic composition of Edo State influence the political landscape, while ethnic voting can be seen as a reflection of communal solidarity, it also poses a threat to democratic ideals by undermining merit-based selection of leaders. It promotes division, fosters electoral violence, and reduces the likelihood of cross-ethnic cooperation. The ethnic voting patterns in the 2025 General Election in Edo State, that is analysis of voting data revealed a strong correlation between ethnic identity and candidate preference. Voters from specific ethnic groups predominantly supported candidates from their communities, particularly in local government areas with high ethnic homogeneity. The study recommended that strengthen civic education programs to emphasize the importance of competence, integrity, and policy alignment in candidate selection. Voters should be educated on the negative consequences of ethnic voting and the benefits of merit-based leadership. Governance foster inclusive equitable distribution of development projects and public appointments across all ethnic groups. This can reduce the perception that political power benefits only specific communities. Introduce electoral reforms to promote proportional representation, which would encourage candidates to seek support beyond their ethnic constituencies. This could be achieved by adjusting constituency boundaries or introducing multi-member constituencies. Political parties should be mandated to promote diversity in candidate selection and ensure that party tickets are distributed in a manner that reflects ethnic balance. Parties should al so be held accountable for promoting inclusion and tolerance.
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