ARMS PROLIFERATION, SECURITY CHALLENGE AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN THE 2019 RIVERS STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION

Abstract

The increasing rate of arms proliferation which has accentuated the prevalence of electoral violence has triggered severe security challenge for the populace and government of Nigeria to grapple with. This paper examined arms proliferation, security challenge and electoral violence in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic using the 2019 gubernatorial election in Rivers State as a focus. This paper adopted descriptive method, garnered information through secondary sources of data and as well adoptedelitetheory as its theoretical framework. The paper argued that many factors such asthepractice of prebendal politics, phenomenon of do-or-die politics, absence of internal democracy, marginalisation, porosity of borders and weak security system, among others, accentuated the alarming rate of arms proliferation cum electoral violence in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic. The paper further canvassed that arms proliferation has been a major factor triggering electoral violence, which constituted a major security challenge that has claimed many lives and destroyed valuable properties in the country. The paper contended that government efforts at curbing the trend of arms proliferation, which accentuate electoral violence was inadequate and thus yielded limited success. The paper thus recommended, among others, that thestakes of political offices should bedownwardly reviewed in order to reduce the intense quest for political powers; thatNigeria should partner with neighbouring countries on effective management of itsborders;that those who violate existing laws on arms proliferation and conduct of election should be sanctioned while the government shouldembark on increased orientationfor the citizenry in order to cultivate the values of law abiding, peaceful coexistence and violent-free election with a view to checkmating the scourge of arms proliferation and electoral violence.