Enabling Factors for Peaceful Political Power Alternation and Democratic Consolidation in Ghana and Nigeria

Harrison Adewale Idowu ； N. Oluwafemi Mimiko

《Taiwan Journal of Democracy》 16卷1期 (2020/07) Pp. 161-195

摘要

This essay investigates the critical factors contributing to peaceful power alternation and, by extension, charts the path for democratic consolidation in Ghana and Nigeria. It adopts an exploratory research design which involves systematic collection, presentation, and analysis of data through relevant texts, observations, interviews, and documentary evidence. The essay relies on primary and secondary data from Ghana and Nigeria. The results show that, for Ghana, factors such as the country's transparent electoral management system and formidable democratic culture have been major contributors to the nation's democratic trajectory. Whereas in the Nigerian experience, an improved electoral management system; the perceptions of the electorate; pressure from stakeholders; and the personality of the incumbent president have had significant effects. The essay concludes that the transparent electoral management system and solid democratic culture in Ghana and the improved electoral management system and the personality of the incumbent president in Nigeria have been the greatest influences on power alternation and the democratic process. However, Ghana has fared better than Nigeria in these respects.

關鍵字

Democratic consolidation ； Ghana ； incumbent ； Nigeria ； opposition government

參考文獻

Wonbin Cho and Carolyn Logan, “Looking toward the Future: Alternations in Power and Popular Perspectives on Democratic Durability in Africa,” Comparative Political Studies 20, no. 10 (2013): 1-25.

Joshua Shola Omotola, “Unconstitutional Changes of Government in Africa: What Implications for Democratic Consolidation?” Discussion Paper 70 (Uppsala, Sweden: Nordic Africa Institute, 2011)

Ibrahim Bukunle Sanusi and Rizzan Nassuna, Emerging Trends in Africa’s Electoral Processes, Policy Briefing 158 (Johannesburg: South African Institute of International Affairs, January 2017).

Harrison Adewale Idowu, “Election Management and Peaceful Democratic Transition in Ghana and Nigeria” (M.Sc. Thesis, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, 2018).

Arnold Wehmhoerner, Elections and Democracy in Southern Africa (Brussels: Foundation for European Progressive Studies, 2014)