Insecurity and Political Participation in the 2023 Presidential Election: A Study of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

The insecurity situations in Rafi local government area in Niger state has no doubt create a very serious level of fear, tension and anxiety in the minds of residents invariably leading to disenfranchisement of people from participating in the political affairs of their country. This study was embarked upon to examine insecurity and political participation in Rafi LGA of Niger State. The study adopts a quantitative method of data collection, the data was analyzed using simple percentage. This work is anchored and the theory was developed on structuralfunctionalism. This theory was developed by Gabriel Almond and James S. Coleman in 1960, which sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. Findings reveals that; ethno-religious conflicts among communities, electoral violence and intimidation, weak law enforcement agencies, socio-economic challenges, disenfranchisement and marginalization, insurgency and terrorism are the causes of insecurity on political participation in the 2023 general election in Rafi LGA of Niger State. The study recommends that, Strengthening Law Enforcement agencies, Community Policing, Intelligence Gathering and sharing among security personnel, address border security and other Socioeconomic Factors, etc, are the ways of curbing insecurity for effective political participation in Rafi LGA, Niger state.