Securing The Electoral Process And Democratic Stability In Nigeria: The Role Of The Nigeria Police Under Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration (2015-2020)

Abstract

Elections and electoral process occupy significant position in democratic governance but these processes have been marred by various electoral irregularities due to lapses in the security of electoral process thereby threatening democratic stability in Nigeria. This paper examined securing the electoral process and democratic stability in Nigeria with a review of the role of the Nigeria Police Force under Muhammadu Buhari’s administration (2015-2020).  It adopted descriptive method and gathered data through the use of secondary source of data and also used the structural functionalism theory as a theoretical framework of analysis. The paper argued that the effective performance of the police force, among others, is a necessary ingredient of securing the electoral process with a view to attaining democratic stability. The paper further contended that the challenges confronting the Nigeria Police Force constitute a stumbling block to its effective performance. This situation, the paper argued, encouraged the politicians, who want to win at all costs to influence the police in order to realize their vested interest. The paper therefore, recommended that for the Nigeria police Force to be more active in the discharge of their duties in securing the electoral process, the government should improve the personal emolument and working conditions of the police personnel; the police should be provided modern sophisticated equipment in terms of logistics and communication gadgets to promote the efficiency of its operations; continuous training and re-training exercises should be organized for the police officers to acquaint them with current security techniques and knowledge required to succeed in the electoral duties.