The study examines Electoral Malpractice and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria with reference to Benue state. This study utilized both primary and secondary sources of data and also adopted prebendal theory as its framework of analysis. The findings from this work revealed that, the most common forms of electoral malpractice in Benue state includes ;announcement of electoral result where election are not held, under age voting, snatching of ballot boxes, and harassment of voters. it can also be induced from the analysis that, electoral malpractice is an affront on the practice of democracy in Benue state electorate have brought about political instability in Benue state. The study recommends that, elections are the corner stone of any democratic system of government. In Nigeria, elections are always marred by a lot of attention from scholars, election managers, civil society among others.                                                                                  

Table of content vi

Abstract ix

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Background to the study..............................................................................1

Statement of the problem.............................................................................5

Objectives of the study..................................................................................6

Research question.........................................................................................7

Significance of the study................................................................................7

Scope of the study.........................................................................................8

Research methodology................................................................................8

1.7.1 Research design.......................................................................................8

1.7.2 Population of the study......................................................................9

1.7.3 Sample size and sampling technique.................................................9

1.7.4 Methods of Data collection...............................................................10

1.7.5 Methods of data analysis..................................................................11

1.7.6 Limitations to the methodology.......................................................11

1.8   Operational Definitions of concepts..................................................11

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1   The concept of Electoral Malpractice.................................................13

2.2  Democracy.............................................................................................17

2.3 Causes of Electoral Malpractice in Nigeria..............................................20

2.4 Electoral Malpractice: The Bane of Democracy in Nigeria.....................23

2.5 Theoretical Framework.........................................................................25

CHAPTER THREE: BENUE STATE IN PERSPECTIVE

3.1 Benue state in Historical context..........................................................28

3.2 Socio Economic profile of Benue State...................................................29

3.3 Social setting...........................................................................................32

3.4 The Political setting..............................................................................34

3.5 The Practice of Democracy in Benue state............................................36

CHAPTER FOUR: AN ASSESSMENT OF ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE AND DEMOCRACY IN BENUE STATE

4.1 Introduction........................................................................................40

4.2 Data presentation and Analysis..........................................................40

4.3 Discussion Findings..............................................................................51

CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 Summary..............................................................................................53

5.2 Conclusion...........................................................................................54

3.3 Recommendations...............................................................................55