Research
Electoral Democracy, Security Concerns and Street Litigations in Nigeria
The contestation of elections is considered to have both conventional and unconventional elements. As a matter of fact, disputes are considered an inherent part of an election and electoral litigation is a common feature of most electoral processes. Nigeria is not an exception to this observable trend as elections are coterminous with brinkmanship and legal fireworks. However, street Litigation, a form of trial by public opinion whereby people revel in passing judgments on political cases outside the four walls of the courtroom, is an emerging practice in the country. Thus, it presents an interesting research scenario in post-election security and litigation. This paper interrogates election security issues in Nigeria particularly as they relate to people’s grievances and concerns. It also examines the periodic electoral violence and its effects on the electoral process with special focus on the combustible nature of street litigation in the country.
The Vulnerable Macho-Man: Exploring the Socio-Cultural and Legal Perspectives to Gender Based Violence in Nigeria
Domestic violence, having women as perpetrators, has been on the increase in Nigeria, particularly in the last few years. The increase, largely attributed to the renewed media focus on this aspect of gender-based violence, is often rationalised on the premise of self-defence or revenge attacks by the women. Thus, in what may be regarded as one of the landmark changes in human history, the trend is empirically turning the conventional narratives against men in an African society like Nigeria. Curiously, despite numerous studies that report the preponderance of domestic violence being perpetrated by men against women, the latter are becoming perpetrators of some of the most heinous domestic violations in their marriages. Partially due to the socio/cultural inhibitions- the Nigeria society is a highly patriarchal one, in which men have bloated egos- men generally feel ashamed and sometimes confused when abused by the opposite sex. Though the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Bill was signed into law in May 2015, the concern in the public domain, especially by the civil society groups, has always been on the protection of women and girls from violence as exhibited in the initial draft of the bill titled: Violence Against Women (Prohibition). Two questions are therefore, germane to this study: how effective is the Act likely to be in solving the challenges of gendered violence in the country, given the existing popular bias against men in this regard? As happened to the women overtime, are men not being trapped in certain gender-based stereotypical straightjackets? This study examines the interplay of cultural norms, legislation and gender-based violence particularly against men in Nigeria. It also advocates gender equality in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria on issues of gendered violence.
The Multi-Dimensional Impacts of Insurgency and Armed Conflicts on Nigeria
The failure of the state to contain the proliferation of foreign extremist groups and their links with domestic religious groups exacerbates the incidence of extremism and violence in the country. It has been noted that the costs of crime are tangible and intangible, economic or social, direct or indirect, physical or psychological, individual or community. In this essay, the effects of insurgency are discussed under four headings, namely: national security, socio-economic impact, collapse of infrastructure/humanitarian crisis and diplomatic relations.
Interrogating Nigeriaas Governance Failure through the Prism of Insecurity
The minimum requirements of a social contract are supposed to be delivered by the State, especially one in which democracy and good governance hold sway. Nigeria has never had this; and certain social, political and economic indicators predispose scholars and observers to speculate that Nigeria is destined for classification as a failed state. It has, however, been affirmed that the primary justification for the state is its role as the guarantor of last resort of the personal safety, liberty and property of the citizen. A state that cannot or does not perform this function has no reason to exist. It can be arguably said that no other time since the civil war era has the Nigerian state been seriously engulfed in perennial security challenges that threaten the very foundation of the country than now. This essay discusses the trends, dimensions and manifestations of insecurity in Nigeria. It interrogates the Boko Haram terrorism in some parts of the country and how it largely reflects failure of governance in the polity.
