Title:   MILITARIZATION OF 2019 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN RIVERS STATE AND VOTERS’ PARTICIPATION IN NIGERIA: A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

Abstract
The paper investigated critically the implication of the militarization of 2019 presidential election
on voters in Rivers State, and the appropriation of the Operation Crocodile Tear/Smile by the
military for political gains by the incumbent politicians. The study adopted a documentary method
in generating its data; and was analyzed using content analysis. The framework of analysis was
anchored on the tout theory of politics. The findings of the study have significantly revealed that
2019 presidential election in Rivers state has disenfranchised and impinged on the voters’ turnout
during the election due to the anti-democratic actions of the security personnel before and during
the election. Therefore, arising from the findings of the study, the paper recommended among
others that there should be a clear distinction on the role of the security agencies and the
functions performed by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and the voters should
be re-educated that it is only the Civil Defense officers without guns or any other weapon, and
duly stationed at the poll boots are allowed to man the conduct of election.
Keywords: Election, Incumbency, politics, security, Voter Education.

Citations:

Publication Date: 2021-07-09