Ihaza Folorunsho

Elections are central to democratic governance, yet their integrity is often undermined by the influence of money politics, particularly in developing democracies such as Nigeria. This study examines the political economy of elections with a specific focus on the implications of money politics on voting behavior in Ovia North-East Local Government Area during the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election. Grounded in political economy perspectives, the research explores how financial inducements, vote buying, and clientelistic exchanges shape electoral outcomes and weaken democratic accountability. The study adopts a qualitative approach, drawing on both primary and secondary data sources to analyze the interaction between the supply and demand sides of money politics. It highlights how socio-economic factors such as poverty, weak institutional frameworks, and limited voter education contribute to the persistence of vote buying. The findings reveal that money politics significantly influences voter decision-making, reduces electoral competitiveness, and distorts representation by prioritizing short-term material benefits over long-term policy considerations. Furthermore, the study finds that the prevalence of money politics undermines electoral credibility, fuels political violence, and weakens public trust in democratic institutions. In the context of Edo State, persistent electoral malpractices have contributed to political instability and hindered democratic consolidation. The research concludes that addressing money politics requires a comprehensive approach, including electoral reforms, strengthened institutions, transparency in political financing, and intensified civic education. The study recommends stricter enforcement of campaign finance regulations, improved oversight by electoral bodies, and targeted voter sensitization programs to reduce the demand for vote buying. Ultimately, promoting credible, free, and fair elections is essential for strengthening democracy and ensuring sustainable political and socio-economic development.

The study examined N-Power policy and youth unemployment in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The objectives of the study include the following: to examine how N-Power programme has reduce the rate of unemployment in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, to investigate N-Power programme influence on skill acquisition amongst youth in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, to examine the challenges facing N-Power programme in the reduction of unemployment in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, and give possible recommendations to the challenges facing N-Power programme towards unemployment reduction in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The study adopted a survey research design. The population of the study comprises all staff of Egor Local Government Area and all beneficiaries of the Npower programme in Egor Local Government Area. According to the Human Resource Department of Egor Local Government Area, the total staff strength of council members is 1087, while that of Npower (N-Agro, N-Comm, N-Health and N-Tech) beneficiaries is 556. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire, which was administered to the study's sampled respondents. Out of the 185 questionnaires distributed, 177 copies were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and chi chi-square analytical method to test the hypotheses generated for the study. The study discovered, amongst others, that, N-power programme has contributed to the reduction of unemployment in Egor Local Government Area. The study also discovered that factors like inadequate funding, lack of fairness in the selection, and inadequate supervision are challenges facing the N-Power policy and youth unemployment in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include, amongst others, that adequate funding of the N-power programme should be made available for the sustainability of the programme. Also, programme continuity should be ensured at all costs. Every succeeding government should evaluate the social intervention programmes of the preceding government, adopt, implement and sustain the positive impacting ones and abrogate the negative ones.