The majority of Nigerians believe that elections are the best way to choose leaders, according to the latest Afrobarometer survey. But as the presidential election approaches in February, less than a quarter of citizens say they trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The majority of survey respondents said that different political parties are needed to give voters a genuine choice and that once the elections are over, the losing side should accept defeat and work with the government to help the country develop.
While the majority of citizens believe that the last national elections in 2019 will be generally free and fair, popular trust in INEC – the agency responsible for ensuring free and fair elections – is on the decline.
Key findings
Most Nigerians (71 percent) support elections as the best way to elect their leaders (Figure 1).
The same majority (69 percent) said that Nigeria needs more political parties to ensure that voters have a real choice, a rebound of 13 percent from 2020 (Figure 2).
More than three-quarters (78 percent) of respondents said that once the election is over, the losing party should accept defeat and work with the government to help develop the country, instead of monitoring and criticizing (Figure 3).
A majority (56 percent) of respondents said the last national elections, in 2019, were generally free and fair, but nearly four in 10 (38 percent) believed otherwise (Figure 4).
READ ALSO: Nigeria begins national business sample survey
Only 23 percent of Nigerians trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “somewhat” or “a lot”, while more than three-quarters (78 percent) say they have “little” or no trust at all. election management body (Figure 5).
Confidence in INEC has dropped by 12 percentage points since 2017 (Figure 6).
Afrobarometer survey
Afrobarometer is a pan-African, non-partisan survey research network that provides reliable data on the African experience and evaluation of democracy, governance, and quality of life. Eight rounds of surveys in up to 39 countries have been completed since 1999. Round 9 surveys (2021/2022) are currently underway. Afrobarometer’s national partners conducted face-to-face interviews in the language of the respondents’ choice.
The Afrobarometer team in Nigeria, led by NOIPolls, interviews a nationally representative sample of 1,600 adult citizens in March 2022. This sample size produces state-level results with a margin of error of +/-2.5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level. Previous surveys were conducted in Nigeria in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2020.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afrobarometer.
Support the integrity and credibility of PREMIUM TIMES journalism
Good journalism costs a lot of money. But only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, responsible democracy, and transparent government.
For continued free access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider making a modest contribution to this noble effort.
By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help keep journalism relevant and ensure it remains free and available to all.
contribute
AD TEXT: Call Willie – +2348098788999
