'Bunker' democracy and the challenges of sustaining democratic values in Nigeria: an appraisal of the 2011 general elections

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Periodical article

Title:	'Bunker' democracy and the challenges of sustaining democratic values in Nigeria: an appraisal of the 2011 general elections
Author:	Ojo, Emmanuel O
Year:	2016
Periodical:	Journal of African Elections (ISSN 1609-4700)
Volume:	15
Issue:	1
Pages:	93-112
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Nigeria
Subjects:	elections 2011 political violence democracy
Abstract:	This paper has two focal points. It undertakes a critical review of Nigeria's 2011 general elections vis-à-vis manifestations of violence across all the regions and zones of the country. It also attempts an in-depth and dispassionate overview of the nexus between democracy and violence. The paper infers that Nigeria is currently operating an 'insecurity-based democracy' which can literally be called a 'bunker democracy', allegorically describing Nigeria as a country where politicians and the electorate are in constant fear and trepidation for their lives when an election is imminent. I argue that this unwholesome situation should be addressed so that Nigeria does not suffer democratic regression and undue relapse to military autocracy and absolutism. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]