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Public Perception of Election Petition Tribunals’ Decisions and Challenges of Legitimacy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic

Adisa, Olalekan ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8006-7736, Keshtiban, Amir ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1647-3094 and Hunge, Comfort (2024) Public Perception of Election Petition Tribunals’ Decisions and Challenges of Legitimacy in Nigeria's Fourth Republic. In: Inclusive Development and the Future of Democracy in Africa: The Role of the AU and the RECs,2 nd African Union Studies Annual Symposium, 4-6 November 2024, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

This chapter explores public perception of election petition tribunal decisions in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic and their impact on democratic legitimacy. Though these tribunals play a vital role in resolving electoral disputes and enforcing the Electoral Act, concerns remain about how their judgments are perceived by the public. The chapter adopts a qualitative case study approach to assess whether courts, rather than voters, are principally determining electoral outcomes, raising questions about judicial hegemony. It discovers that negative public perception of tribunal rulings undermines trust in the electoral process, weakens the legitimacy of elected officials, and threatens democratic sustainability. The chapter recommends civic education to raise awareness about the role of tribunals, along with amendments to the 2019 Electoral Act, as key steps to restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Keywords: Legitimacy, Elections, Electoral Act, Election Petition Tribunal, Public Perception, Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Status: Unpublished
School/Department: London Campus
URI: https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/13006

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