The study identified ways in which the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) informally gets involved in the electoral process in Southwest Nigeria. It also ascertained the implications of the activities of the NURTW on the electoral process and investigated whether there was a uniformity of perspective and approach among the different state branches of the NURTW vis-à-vis their involvement in the electoral process. It also examined how the electoral process in Nigeria may be enhanced to improve voters’ confidence thereby deepening the country’s quest for credible election in Southwest, Nigeria. These were with a view to establishing possible nexus between the NURTW and the electoral process.
Data for the study were gathered through primary and secondary sources. Primary data were sourced via in-depth interview of 50 Key Informant Respondents (KIRs), which comprise personnel from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NUTRW), some academics in relevant disciplines from Nigerian universities, card carrying members of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) as well as commuters and electorates. Secondary data sources included books, journal articles, online publications, newspaper editorials, published and unpublished dissertations and via the internet. The data gathered were analysed through thematic analysis.
The study revealed that NURTW informally gets involved in the electoral process in Southwest, Nigeria, through the provision of logistics services such as transportation of election materials. Also, the study established that the involvement of the NURTW in the electoral process enhanced hitch-free conduct of elections. The study found that the nature of the transport union in the Southwest vis-à-vis its leadership structure and modes of operations made it impossible to achieve uniformity in their involvement in elections in the country. The study established that the use of technology in the electoral process during voters’ registration and on the day of election would improve voters’ confidence.
The study concluded that the involvement of the NURTW in the electoral process through the provision of logistics services contributed towards achieving successful elections in Southwest, Nigeria.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Research Objectives
1.5 Working Assumptions
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Significance of the Study
1.8 Operational Definitions of Terms
1.9 Organisation of Study
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Review of Concepts
2.1.1 Democracy
2.1.2 Elections
2.1.3 Interest Groups
2.2 Empirical Review
2.2.1 Elections and Electioneering Process in Nigeria
2.2.2 Politics and Democratization in Nigeria
2.2.3 Interest Groups and Democratic Practice in Nigeria
2.3 Theoretical Review
2.3.1 Theoretical Framework
2.4 Gap in Literature
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1 Research Design
3.2 Study Area
3.3 Study Population
3.4 Sampling Technique and Sample Size
3.5 Research Instruments
3.6 Validity/Reliability of Research Instruments
3.7 Data Collection
3.8 Data Analysis
CHAPTER FOUR: HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF INTEREST GROUPS IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ELECTIONEERING PROCESS
Overview
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS
Introduction
5.1 Data Presentation
5.2 Ways in which the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Informally gets Involved in the Electoral Process in Southwest, Nigeria
5.3 Implications of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on the Electoral Process in Southwest, Nigeria
5.4 Uniformity of Perspective and Approach among the different State Branches of the NURTW vis-a-vis their involvement in the Electoral Process
5.5 How the Electoral Process in Nigeria may be enhanced to Improve Voters’ Confidence thereby deepening the Democratic Process in the Country
5.6 Discussion of Findings
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Summary
6.2 Findings of the Study
6.3 Conclusion
6.4 Recommendations
6.5 Limitation of Study
Research Objective and Themes
The study aims to investigate the informal involvement of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the electoral process in Southwest Nigeria between 2015 and 2020, assessing the implications of their activities on election credibility and examining the consistency of their approach across state branches to provide recommendations for deepening democratic practice.
- The informal and formal role of the NURTW in Nigeria's electoral process and logistics.
- The influence of political elites on interest groups and the resulting implications for democratic practice.
- Structural challenges and lack of uniformity within state branches of the NURTW.
- Strategies for enhancing voters' confidence and improving the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background of the Study
Liberal democracy, given its core principles, which include popular sovereignty, periodic election, separation of power, existence of checks and balances, rule of law, fundamental human rights, among other tenets, is arguably one among the systems of government that is most practised in the comity of nations. The reasons are attributed to the position that liberal democracy guarantees, perhaps more than any other system of government, the participation of the citizenry in governance regardless of their background or creed. These roles are manifest in the inalienable rights of the electorates to select their preferred candidate(s) through an electoral process as well as the liberty to demand accountability of their representatives whom they have elected into public offices. Frey (2016: 6) acknowledged that ‘while there is no perfect system of government anywhere in the world, democracy remains a widely practised style of governance due to the degree of rights and privileges it places on the people to determine the calibre of persons that will constitute the government’.
The practice of democracy is one that allows to a certain degree, the people’s right to decide who controls the machinery of government. Given that democracy places the people at the centre, human values and rights are core values the system upholds. Democracy is far from perfect, but when it comes to running a government, it has a number of built-in mechanisms for promoting fairness and participation (p.7).
Summary of Chapters
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION: This chapter introduces the core principles of liberal democracy and identifies the specific challenges and research questions regarding the NURTW's role in Nigeria's electoral process.
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW: This chapter examines existing concepts and empirical studies on democracy, interest groups, and the history of Nigeria's electioneering process to establish a theoretical framework.
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY: This chapter outlines the qualitative research design, study population, and data collection techniques, including the use of semi-structured interviews with 50 key informants.
CHAPTER FOUR: HISTORY AND EVOLUTION OF INTEREST GROUPS IN NIGERIA AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ELECTIONEERING PROCESS: This chapter traces the historical development of pressure groups in Nigeria and analyzes their complex relationship with political actors and electoral outcomes.
CHAPTER FIVE: DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS: This chapter presents and interprets the field data regarding the NURTW's involvement in electoral logistics, the implications of these activities, and the uniformity of branch operations.
CHAPTER SIX: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: This chapter synthesizes the study's findings, draws final conclusions, and provides policy recommendations to enhance electoral transparency and voter confidence.
Keywords
NURTW, Electoral Process, Democracy, Interest Groups, Nigeria, Southwest, Electioneering, Voter Confidence, Logistics, Political Elites, Governance, Structural-Functionalism, Clientelism, Transparency, Political Participation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this thesis?
The thesis examines the role and influence of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) within the electoral process in Southwest Nigeria, specifically analyzing how their logistics support and political involvement affect the credibility of elections.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The work covers democratic theory, the role of interest groups, the history of electioneering in Nigeria, the impact of patron-client relationships on politics, and strategies for electoral reform.
What is the primary research objective?
The primary objective is to identify how the NURTW informally engages in electoral processes and to determine whether this involvement promotes or hinders the country's quest for credible elections.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The research employed a qualitative methodology, utilizing semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 50 key informants, including INEC personnel, NURTW members, academics, and political party representatives, alongside a thematic analysis of secondary sources.
What does the main body analyze?
The main body analyzes the evolution of interest groups in Nigeria, the specific ways the NURTW is involved in electoral logistics, the political implications of this involvement, and the challenges regarding uniformity across different state branches.
Which keywords characterize this research?
Key terms include NURTW, electoral process, democracy, interest groups, electioneering, voter confidence, political participation, and structural-functionalism.
How does the NURTW contribute to the electoral process formally?
Formally, the NURTW collaborates with INEC through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide logistics, specifically transporting sensitive election materials and personnel to polling units across the country.
Why is the lack of uniformity across state branches significant?
The lack of uniformity highlights the decentralized and factional nature of the NURTW, showing that political allegiances often differ by state and that local leadership tactics significantly impact how the union interacts with local government and political parties during elections.
How can the electoral process in Nigeria be enhanced according to the findings?
The findings suggest enhancing the use of technology, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), reforming the Electoral Act to promote transparency, and ensuring strict enforcement of laws against political thuggery and voter intimidation.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Rasak Salaam (Autor:in), 2023, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Electoral Process in Southwest Nigeria (2015–2020), München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1591627
