PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF CANDIDATE AND VOTING PATTERN IN ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA: A DISCOURSE

Gabriel Akobagwu Noah ¹&Orokpo, Ogbole Francis. E, PhD²

ABSTRACT

The thrust of this paper is to critically examine the level of political participation and voting behaviour of Nigerian citizens in the electioneering process. The paper also seeks to assess the extent to which participation and voting behaviour contributed to the credibility and success of the polls. To this end, the study applies the system theory as basis of analysis and content analysis in its discussion. The study concludes that effective political participation and the voting behaviour of citizens is critical to the effectiveness of the political process and it is thus recommended amongst other things that for political stability to be maintained, the electoral process must be accommodating, and allow for expression of the electoral freedom of the people as well as giving cognizance to the socio-economic wellbeing of the people. Thus, to avoid dissatisfaction, the political candidate should emphasis and give attention to workable political institution and improve on their official public performances and the political aspirants in all elections should give attention to those factors that influences public perception and improve on them among others.