FEDERAL ELECTORAL COMMISSION AND THE CONDUCT OF PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA, 1979–1983

Abstract

The conduct of presidential election is a means of political recruitment and selection and an important aspect of democratization. In modern democratic institutions, the holding of periodic and regular presidential elections which has become part and parcel of the process of expanding and deepening the democratic space requires Election Management Bodies (EMBs) to conduct all elections within the polity. Between 1979 and 1983, FEDECO conducted two presidential elections in Nigeria. However, the performance of FEDECO during the presidential elections was unsatisfactory. The paper critically assesses the management of presidential elections in Nigeria. The work begins with the origin of FEDECO in Nigeria and examines its performance in the conduct of presidential elections in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983. The paper employs qualitative research methodology relying on both primary, secondary and tertiary sources to appraise the performance of FEDECO during the period under review. The main objectives of the research are, to trace the origins and rationale for the establishment of FEDECO in Nigeria, examine its performance in the conduct of presidential elections in Nigeria and the challenges it encountered in the conduct of presidential elections from 1979 to 1983. The research found that a combination of factors such as lack of independence and financial autonomy, inadequate preparation, lack of loyalty of the ad-hoc staff, the attitude of the political class, corruption and poverty, among others, were responsible for the poor performance of FEDECO. The work is an expansion of the knowledge on the role of FEDECO in the management of presidential elections in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.