The Signature of Voter Behaviour and Participation in the 2015 Gubernatorial Elections in Nigeria: A Study of Ebonyi State.

Abstract

This study examined the determinants of voter behaviour in the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Nigeria with particular attention to Ebonyi State. The cardinal objective of the paper is to identify the factors affecting voter behaviour in recent times in Nigerian elections. Experimental survey design was adopted in the study. Data were elicited from both primary and secondary sources and was analyzed using content, percentage and Chi-square statistical tools. The paper revealed among the other things that gratification and party affiliations significantly influenced voter behaviour during the 2015 gubernatorial elections in Nigeria especially in Ebonyi State. It therefore recommends inter alia; that voters should be enlightened further by relevant agencies in Nigeria on the choice of candidate(s) based on party manifestoes, policy and programmes rather than heavy dependence on gratification. Implication of this finding for Nigerian citizenry is that it is only through voting of candidate in an election on the basis of lined-up policies and programmes that can bring about popular choice of candidate that would eventually deliver the democratic dividends to the citizenry.