Influence of Ethnicity and Religion in Nigerian Elections and the Imperative of Media Intervention

Sociology International Journal Research Article Open Access Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention Abstract Volume 1 Issue 3 - 2017 This study examines the influence of ethnicity and religion on the voting patterns of Godwin Ehiarekhian Oboh the Nigerian electorate. The paper employed the content analysis approach being the Department of Mass Communication, Benson Idahosa research method to evaluate the 2015 presidential election, and found that ethnicity University, Nigeria played a major role in the election. Since democracy is a game of numbers, it might be relatively difficult ever having a Nigerian President of an Igbo origin without Correspondence: Godwin Ehiarekhian Oboh, Department of the support of the other ethnic nationalities in the country. This is because the Igbo Mass Communication, Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria, Community falls within the category of the minority regions in terms of population. Email ehiarekhian2007@yahoo.com So, to create the platform that would enable the members of both the major and the minority ethnic groups to serve as the president of Nigeria, the paper recommends Received: June14, 2017 | Published: September 01, 2017 among other things that the office of the Nigerian president be rotated among the six geo political zones as earlier recommended by Chief Anthony Enaharo, architect of the six-geo-political zones in the Nigerian politics. In addition, the paper urges the media to support the formation of an inclusive government, cutting across tribes and religion in the country to reduce the negative impact of ethnicity and religion in the country. Keywords: media, ethnicity, religion, election, colonialist constitutions, clifford constitution, multi-national oil companies, pluralist model Abbreviations: PDP, people’s democratic party; APC, all named after the Harry Willink and former Vice-Chancellor of the progressives congress of nigeria; INEC, independent national electoral Cambridge University to investigate the fear that was being expressed commission; CIS, commonwealth of independent states; USSR, union by some of the minority ethnic groups in the country following the soviet socialist republic; RCCG, redeemed christian church of god overbearing attitudes of the major ethnic nationalities in Nigeria. The commission having carefully investigated the issue, recommended Introduction among other things: the creation of a special area for the Ijaws (Trust Territory), designation of Edo and Calabar as minority areas, a unified Nigerian Government has successfully conducted the 2015 police force, a central prison system for the entire country, and the presidential elections despite the failure the country recorded in the use promotion of the members of the minority groups to the position of card reader that was initially acquired by the Independent National of power in order to balance any inequity in power sharing in the Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that only the registered and Nigerian politics. Regrettably, the recommendations made by the accredited electorate voted in the elections. Nevertheless, it is very commission were not implemented in full. It is worth noting that easy for anyone to blame the federal government for failing to conduct Ken Saro Wiwa, renowned environmentalist and civil right activist, very credible elections except for those that understood the influence was killed under the leadership of General Sanni Abacha following of ethnicity and religion in the Nigerian politics. It could be recalled the determination by Saro-Wiwa to liberate the Ogoni Community that the present Nigerian political system evolved from the British from state-imposed poverty being the aftermath of the protracted oil colonialist constitutions. So, when the European guided political exploration and exploitation of the region by the transnational oil philosophy was eventually formulated as a paradigm for development companies. Corroborating this view, Ewhrudjakpor et al.3 noted that: in Nigeria, the leaders soon discovered that the model was essentially “as a result of these multi-national oil companies’ activities, things are abstract in nature as it paid no attention to the historical specificity of no longer the same in the various oil bearing communities in Nigeria. the people, but treated development as something that was no way The people also are no longer at ease.” Prior to the death of Ken connected to the Nigerian peoples and culture.1 In the series of the Saro Wiwa and the nine other Ogoni leaders, the proposal converting colonialist constitutions, the Clifford Constitution of 1922 made it Ogoni community into a trust territory had already attained the status possible for Nigerian citizens to elect their own representatives into of an agenda at the International Court of Justice in Hague, following the legislative council in Lagos, the Bourdillion Constitution of 1939 the petition filed by the Ogoni community on the allegation of the created the platform for regional government, the Richard Constitution marginalization of the Ijaw community by the federal government. of 1945 offered Nigerians a better platform to participate and discuss their own affairs, the Macpherson Constitution of 1951 established a It could be recalled that the British colonialists had wanted to central Legislative and Executive council for the entire country, the delay the process leading to the Nigerian political independence to Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 made Nigeria a federal state, while enable them have enough time to address the problem of ethnicity and the 1960 Constitution granted political independence to Nigeria.2 religion in the country based on the recommendations by the Willink Although ethnicity has always been a major impediment to the peace Commission. But the Nigerian nationalities were rather too in a hurry, and development of Nigeria, its effect was not as pronounced as it is so they were not ready to accept any condition that would delay Nigeria today. political freedom beyond October 1960. So, religion and ethnicity today have become the two major sources of conflict in the Nigerian In 1957, the British Government set up the Willink Commission politics. This may account for why the more established democratic Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Sociol Int J. 2017;1(3):79‒84 79 © 2017 Oboh. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.  Copyright: Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention ©2017 Oboh 80 nations tend to relate to the issues regarding religion and ethnicity of the federal government to resolve the issues regarding ethnicity with a sense of caution. Nigeria is among the leading countries today and religion. Although Nigeria is a secular state, the country shares exporting Christianity to the more established democratic nations of the attributes of Christianity and Islamic religion, depending on the the world. Nonetheless, some people are wondering the basis upon religious inclination of the incumbent president and state governors. which religious leaders can logically convince the western world to accept religion as a part of state practice considering its implications. Rationale However, religious institutions still remain one of the most reliable Ethnicity and religion have considerable influence on the voting custodians of moral values in society, so any country that rejects the patterns of the Nigerian electorate. Although the federal government teaching and practice of accredited religious institutions may find it often stresses the need for the citizens to put national interest above difficult providing the moral platform for the social conduct of its ethnic and religious considerations, yet there is no politician in Nigeria citizens. So, religion and ethnicity can be deployed to play a functional who will win an election without the support of the members of his role in the peace and development of society. Therefore, the central or her ethnic nationality. This is why most politicians tend to give objective of the study is to show how religion and ethnicity influenced priority attention meeting needs of their ethnic nationalities even at the voting pattern of the Nigerian electorate in the 2015 presidential the detriment of national interest. Unfortunately, the present Nigerian election, and possibly suggests ways the media as emerging power political system has no provision for the members of the minority blocs can reduce the negative influence of cultural politics to pave the ethnic groups becoming president of Nigeria without the support of way for an inclusive government in the country. the major ethnic nationalities in the country. This might be one of the reasons for the ongoing agitations for secession and the call for an Culture and conflicts in politics amendment on the present structure of the Nigerian political system The United Nations and the leaders of the international community by some ethnic groups in the country. So the press as an ombudsman now spend more time addressing the conflicts arising from ethnicity can serve as a nexus reconciling the dividing lines between and and religion in Africa, Asia and the East European countries than among ethnic nationalities and religious institutions in Nigeria, thus the time they spend on other issues. Atubi et al.4 noted that: “ since explaining the rationale for the study. September 19, 2002, Cote d’ Ivoire has been gripped by an internal conflict that has paralyzed the economy, split the political leadership, Theory and illuminated the stark polarization of Ivorian society along ethnic, Nigeria is a multi-lingual society having 374 ethnic nationalities political and religious lines.” Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Morocco, that speak 348 languages.10 It is a part of the Nigerian culture for Chad, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt and Burundi have had their share of children to show respect to their parents and the elderly ones in intra/inter-tribal conflicts.5 Observes that: “Among the raft of changes society, but the way and manner this respect is demonstrated among that have confronted the international community in the decade which Nigerians differ from one tribe to the other. Nevertheless, the ancestral followed the events of 1989, there exists an apparent dichotomy beliefs of many communities in Nigeria are gradually being eroded between, on the one hand, the collapse of the nation state (at least in and replaced with modern values consequent upon the assumption some countries) and the reassertion of national identity elsewhere”. that most African traditional religions are shrouded in mysteries. In Virtually all the countries in the West Africa sub-region, including the view of Manderson11 “Local cultures often adopt traditional forms Nigeria, have passed through the tunnel of crisis emanating from inter- (folks music, oral histories, pagan rites and festivals) to preserve cultural and religious conflicts. Culture is one of those imperceptible ancient customs against new theories, which were making important elements defining the identity of a people. It describes the character changes in the structure of legal subjectivity,” justifying why religion of a community, and influences the attitudes and behaviour of the forms the basis of human idiosyncrasies in many African and the people.6 Asian world. Each cultural nationality in Nigeria has a set of values that For example, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) is distinguishes one community from the other, and no community one of the leading Pentecostal Churches in Nigeria. The headquarters is ready to compromise its cultural identity in the interests of the of the Church is located in Ogun State, and the General Overseer of the other communities Omu7 noted that ethnicity usually undergoes an Church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, is a Nigerian of a Yoruba origin. Yet, evolutionary process whereby it starts as a latent and accommodating the Church has worship centres across the country. Similarly, the head feeling, and later become instigated or propelled as a weapon of of the Sokoto Caliphate, Alhaji Sa’adu Abubakar, is the head of the hostility, conflict and bitter tensions. What Omu perhaps forgot to Islamic religion in Nigeria. Islam has worship centres in all the states include is that the hostility and conflicts that later arise from the self of the federation. The intercultural communication among Nigerians determinism of an ethnic nationality may probably be associated with who are members of the same religion seems to be very harmonious the effort by the people to promote and sustain their ethnic identity in notwithstanding their tribal differences, whereas most religious the face of other contending cultural paradigms. In an earlier study, conflicts in Nigeria emanate from the intercultural communication Okechukwu8 affirms that: “It is axiomatic to posit that nationalism and between persons of different religious backgrounds. This is why it ethnic differences contributed to the final breakup of the Union Soviet may be necessary for the Nigerian government to imbibe the concept Socialist Republic (USSR), and have also contributed to plaguing the of the ‘Third Cultures’. According to McEwan et al.12 “Third cultures, Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), especially Russia.” So, a concept developed by Casmir (1978, 1997), are formed when culture plays a major role in the construction of the meaning underlining individuals from two or more cultures create a new hybrid culture, the attitudes and behaviour of the members of a community. “Some containing the components of each individual culture while developing cultural and communication patterns are relatively stable according unique cultural characteristics.” This concept when fully internalized to,9 while other aspects of cultural identification dynamically shift by the citizens may enhance the social integration among the people over time.” The major problem facing Nigeria today is the inability and create the basis for the effective social mobilization of the citizens Citation: Oboh GE. Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention. Sociol Int J. 2017;1(3):79‒84. DOI: 10.15406/sij.2017.01.00013  Copyright: Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention ©2017 Oboh 81 toward achieving laudable objectives in the interest of the peace and Voting pattern in nigerian politics development of society. “Culture and communication, according to,13 are intimately linked. Signs and symbols are communicated through The 2015 presidential election revealed how ethnicity and religion language and through cultural artefacts. Each culture also has its own can influence the chances of politicians winning elections in Nigerian worldview or expectations about its cultural artefacts, human conduct politics. The election campaign provided the platform for the candidates and identity.” It is the variations in the expectations of the people to advertise the ideologies and manifestoes of their respective parties. of different culture and religion that often creates the basis for the Former President Good luck Jonathan contested under the platform frictions that we witness intermittently in society. of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and used the public media for his electioneering campaign, while General Muhammadu Bahari, now Nevertheless, it is often the way and manner the media report on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, contested in the election initial disagreements arising from the intercultural communications under the auspices of the All Progressives Congress of Nigeria (APC) between people of different culture and religion that normally being the main opposition party in the election. The argument of the accentuates the tempo of conflict in society. As Kaylor14 “The Media PDP in the 2015 presidential election was on the need for the Nigerian depictions of Jesus are important cultural images to consider due electorate to vote for President Good luck Jonathan to enable him to the symbolic power of shaping Jesus to look and talk a certain complete the transformation agenda he started in the public and the way or address specific issues. Thus, Jesus often is remade to fit the private sectors of the nation’s economy. On the other hand, the APC cultural beliefs and norms of those crafting his image.” Unfortunately, requested Nigerians to vote for a change of the PDP led administration some journalists have a very narrow view knowing that Nigeria is to enable the citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.16 The media a pluralistic society, which accounts for the crises that occur each provided the platforms for both candidates to advertise the changes time the media fail to take into account those imperceptible socio- they intend to bring into governance when elected into office. It is cultural variables peculiar to each cultural nationality in Nigeria while worth noting that General Buhari refused all the entreaties made by reporting on issues cutting across cultures and religion. the Nigerian media for him to engage former President Jonathan in a public debate as it is customary in modern practice for presidential The pluralistic theorists believe that society comprises many candidates explaining to the people using the forum of a public debate interacting groups having individual interests to accomplish. This the changes they intend to bring into governance when elected into is based on the assumption that the various groups in society have office. more or less equal access to public resources and influence. It is upon this premise that some people sometimes wonder at the complaints As General Buhari refused the invitation by the media for a public of the seemingly very poor members of the society on the erroneous debate, President Jonathan decided to unilaterally present himself and assumption that everyone has equal opportunity and access to succeed the members of his cabinet for a public debate, where each of his in life. So the media being a creation of the society function mainly cabinet ministers explained to the nation the contributions they made to represent the different segments of the society, depending on toward the growth and development of the country while in office. the editorial mission of the particular media concern. Most media Unfortunately, the effort made by President Jonathan and his cabinet practitioners do not make any conscious effort to evaluate the likely could not change the negative perception that the majority of Nigerians implications of their reports on the peace and development of society; had toward President Jonathan’s administration, following the so long they are convinced that their reports reflect the true account allegations of corruption leveled against some of the key members of his of an event or issue under review. For example, a polemic publication cabinet. Most people had expected President Jonathan to demonstrate of Moslem ethics and values will lead to crisis anywhere in the world, his apathy for corruption by isolating himself from allegedly corrupt whereas, making a disparaging comment about any other religion, persons, and to prosecute the public officers who were indicted to have could at best lead to a heated argument or debate. Therefore, media been involved in cases of gross misconduct. Unfortunately, President understanding the dynamics of intercultural communications, to Jonathan was not someone who could easily be persuaded to act in some extent, could reduce the tempo of conflicts in society. “Several line with public expectations for his government. So, he lost the 2015 reasons exist to support face-to-face intercultural contact, compared Presidential election among other reasons, for associating with people to mediated contact, as more effective in the reduction of prejudice that were not very favoured by the key members of the PDP. This among people in advantaged groups.15 For individuals who perceive was notwithstanding the improvements his government made in the stereotypical beliefs as exaggerated generalizations, not based on public and the private sectors of the nation’s economy. General Buhari factual information, exposure to counter-stereotypical exemplars can won the 2015 Presidential because of the overwhelming support he influence shifting attitudes.” received from the three Northern geo-political zones, including the South-West zone of Nigeria. The appointment of Professor Yemi Method Osinbajo as the running mate to General Buhari accounted largely The study used the content analysis approach to evaluate the for the support he received from the South-West zone of Nigeria, voting patterns of the Nigerian electorate in the 2015 presidential in addition to the common sense revolution adopted by the APC election. In addition, the paper employed the cross tabulation according Alhaji Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos frequency distribution table to show the degree of support each of State and leader of the APC. The common sense revolution was a the presidential candidates received from his or her ethnic nationality. technique adopted by the APC whereby its candidates focused on the The cross tabulation frequency distribution table makes it easier for failures of Jonathan’s administration during the election campaign one to see at a glance the states as well as the geo-political regions without the candidates explaining to Nigerians the changes the APC where each of the presidential candidates won and lost in the 2015 government intends to enact when elected into power. presidential election. The unit of analysis for the study is the result of Nonetheless, General Buhari had clean reputation and integrity that the 2015 presidential election. could not be faulted by the members of the opposition party. He was Citation: Oboh GE. Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention. Sociol Int J. 2017;1(3):79‒84. DOI: 10.15406/sij.2017.01.00013  Copyright: Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention ©2017 Oboh 82 a Military Head of State from December, 1983 to August, 1985. He of Nigeria until it became very obvious that the majority of Nigerians launched an anti-corruption crusade and the War against Indiscipline wanted a replacement of the PDP led administration in the country. (WAI) to restore dignity to public service. But a section of the media The negative perception of the media of Buhari’s inclination towards felt that General Buhari having earlier promulgated the infamous democratic principles and values may have accounted for why he Decree No 2 and 4 of 1984 that took away the fundamental human decided to shun the public debate organized in his honour by the rights of Nigerians, such a person could not have suddenly possessed Nigerian journalists. Let us take a look at the official results of the the civility of a democrat to lead Nigerians in the 21 First Century. So, 2015 presidential election as published by the Independent National some arms of the Nigerian media initially doubted the candidacy of Electoral Commission (INEC) to see how ethnicity influenced the General Buhari for the office of the President of the Federal Republic voting patterns of the Nigerian electorate (Table 1). Table 1 The analysis of the results of the 2015 Presidential in the six-geo-political zones and the FCT S/N Six-geo-political zones & the FCT PDP APC Total 1 FCT 157,195 (1%) 146,399 (1%) 303,594 (1%) 2 North-East 796,588 (6%) 2,848,678 (18%) 3,645,266 (13%) 3 North-West 1,339,706 (11%) 7,115,199 (46%) 8,454,905 (30%) 4 North-Central 1,558,623 (12%) 2,264,614 (15%) 3,823,237 (14%) 5 South-South 4,714,725 (37%) 418,590 (3%) 5,133,315 (18%) 6 South-East 2,464,906 (19%) 198,248 (1%) 2,663,154 (9%) 7 South-West 1,821,416 (14%) 2,433,193 (16%) 4,254,609 (15%) Total Six geo-political zones & FCT 12,853,159 (100%) 15,424,921(100%) 28,278,080(100%) Discussion votes that accounted for (37%) of the entire votes polled by President Jonathan who is an indigene of the South-South region of Nigeria. Findings General Buhari had the highest number of votes in the North West In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), PDP polled 157,195 votes zone, where he polled 7,115,119 votes (46%) of the entire votes he had being (1%) of the total votes earned by the PDP candidate in the 2015 in the election. General Buhari is an indigene of the Fulani tribe from presidential election, while APC received 146, 399 votes accounting the North-West region. Each of the candidates that contested in the for (1%) of the total votes polled by the APC candidate. The PDP 2015 Presidential election received the highest number of votes from candidate received 796,588 votes in the North-East region being (6%) the states comprising the ethnic nationality/region of the candidate of the total votes received by the PDP candidate in the election, while concern, confirming that there is a positive correlation between the the APC candidate polled 2,848,678 votes being (18%) of the total chances of politicians winning elections in Nigeria and their state of votes received by the APC candidate in the election. In the North- origin. Based on the statistics of the last elections, it looks like a win- West zone, the PDP candidate polled 1, 339,706 votes (11%) of the win situation for a Nigerian citizen of Hausa-Fulani origin contesting total votes polled by the PDP candidate in the election, while the APC for the office of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, so long candidate had 7,115,119 votes being (46%) of the total votes the APC the candidate has the support of the three geo-political zones in the candidate got in the election. In the North-Central, the PDP candidate northern region, whereas, it is a no-win situation for a candidate from polled 1,558,623 votes (12%) of the votes the PDP candidate polled any of the three geo political zones in the southern part of Nigeria in the election. The APC candidate had 2,264,614 votes being (15%) to win presidential election without the goodwill and support of the of the total votes received by the APC candidate in the election. The voters in the northern geo political zones. It is worth noting that 46 % PDP polled 4,714,725 votes in the South-South region being (37%) of of the votes upon which General Buhari emerged the winner of the the votes PDP candidate polled in the election and the APC candidate May 2015 presidential election were realized from the North-West had 418,590 votes (3%) of the votes APC got in the election. In the geo-political zone. South-East, the PDP candidate had 2,464,906 votes (19%) of the total Media as emerging power blocs votes PDP candidate polled in the election, while the APC candidate polled 198,243 votes (1%) being the total votes the candidate polled The media as emerging power blocs in the Nigerian politics can in the election. In the South-West, the PDP polled 1,821,416 votes help to reduce the negative impact of cultural politics on the voting (14%) being the total votes the candidate polled in the election, while patterns of the Nigerian electorate. The media provide reports on the APC candidate had 2,433,193 votes (16%) of the total votes the election activities and write editorials on public assessment of APC candidate had in the election. the credibility of election results. Unfortunately, the press being an offshoot of the society seems to be incapable of providing the The PDP candidate, President Jonathan, had the highest number of information framework whereupon the problem of ethnicity and votes in the FCT, the South-South zone and the South-East zone, while religion can be solved in the Nigerian politics. This is because; the the APC candidate, General Buhari, polled the highest number of votes press for whatever reason is usually not able to capture the historical in the North-East, North-West, North-Central and the South-West antecedents accounting for most of the contemporary socio-cultural zone. Data revealed that President Jonathan had the highest number conflicts in society. The media would normally write their reports on of votes in the South-South region of Nigeria, recording 4,714,725 the issues and events that occur daily in society to keep citizens abreast Citation: Oboh GE. Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention. Sociol Int J. 2017;1(3):79‒84. DOI: 10.15406/sij.2017.01.00013  Copyright: Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention ©2017 Oboh 83 of the happenings within and around their environments. Ideally, it is parts of the country. The implication of this is the possibility of the the responsibility of the media to educate the public on the origin of media setting agenda for public discussion based on the comments the social conflicts being reported by journalists. This is because; it is and actions of the Nigerian citizens living in the southern parts of the the links between the past and the present occurrences in society that country. Therefore, it may be unfair expecting the federal government give historians the insight to make intelligent predictions regarding to respond to public needs based on media recommendations alone. future events. Assuming the Nigerian press is able to explain the This is because of the likelihood of the media not being able to origin of the crises currently confronting the nation, such information accommodate the views of Nigerian citizens, cutting across tribes and would have enabled the members of the public to have a balanced religion regarding public assessment of government policy agenda for view of the issues being reported by the media, and then, able to make development. meaningful contributions toward resolving whatever conflict in the So, it is incorrect to assume that Nigerian media would normally interest of peace Otete et al.17 agrees that the mass media serve as provide objective coverage while reporting on issues cutting across vital bridge builder (in society). Even the political conflicts arising tribe and religion in the country. For example, the media have different from the conduct of elections have some elements of ethnicity when views on the ongoing anti corruption campaign of President Buhari’s carefully examined. This was the case of the violent protest that administration. Virtually all the federal government owned media trailed the governorship election in the South Western Nigeria during stations report favorably on the ongoing anti-corruption campaign by the Second Republic, where Chief Akin Omoboriowo of the National the federal government, whereas some private media organizations Party of Nigeria (NPN) was declared the winner of the governorship believed that President Buhari is fighting a war of personal vendetta election in Ondo State instead of the actual winner of the election, against some key members of the opposition parties using the Chief Adekunle Ajasin, member of the Unity Party of Nigeria.17 Economic and Financial Crime Commission to prosecute the war. A Constitutionally, media organizations are expected to provide situation whereby media organizations that should ideally maintain objective assessment on election activities whereupon the public the same position, condemning anti-public policies and supporting decides whether or not to support the results of elections as approved public oriented programmes, are now expressing dissenting voices by the electoral commission. Lasswell 1948 Folari18 explains the three on obvious national issues; certainly, it is something a rational mind traditional functions of the media in society, which are: surveillance should worry about. The consequences of the public and the private of the environment being the news function of the media, correlation media in Nigeria failing to take an objective position in reporting on of the different parts of the environments, explaining the editorial ethno-religious matters have the potential to convert the intermittent function of the media and the transmission of the cultural heritage of disagreements between the southern and northern Nigeria into a cold the society from one generation to another, depicting the entertainment war similar to the relationship that exists between the United States role of the media. Going by the above explanation, the Nigerian media and Russia. There is the possibility of the Nigerian media (going have a responsibility to support an inclusive government that will by the current development), later taking side with an ethnic or a accommodate both the major and the minority ethnic groups in the religious group even at the expense of the nation. When that happens, country. Unfortunately, the Nigerian media are not so free as to be it will be a repeat of the role the Nigerian press played culminating in able to objectively report on election results without first considering the collapse of the Nigerian First Republic in January 1966. the stand of their proprietors on the election. The government would normally expect the public media to endorse the results of elections as Conclusion approved by the electoral commission notwithstanding the claims and In the western world, the effect of ethnicity is not as pronounced as objections that may be arising from the elections. On the other hand, it is in Africa. In Nigeria for example, the choice of who becomes the the private media operators also consider the views of their owners on President of Nigeria is often decided by a group, comprising the retired election results before taking a stand on the outcome of any election generals, traditional rulers and the captains of the Nigerian industries. so as not to contradict the views of their proprietors on the election. It is the preferred candidate of this group that subsequently emerge This is however in contrast with public expectations for journalists. the winner in every election. Therefore, one tends to wonder what is Unlike the politicians, journalists are not expected to fan the democratic about the Nigerian democracy, where a few individuals embers of cultural interests or take side with sectional groups at the can impose a candidate on a party, ignoring primaries. Ideally, it is detriment of public interest. But there are some media houses that are the party executive that should organize the primaries where the most not public orientated in their news coverage as a result of external deserving candidates within the party are elected to contest in the influence, which explain why the degree of objectivity of media main elections. This is not the practice in the Nigerian democracy. content is usually a function of the editorial mission of the particular It thus appears that the Nigerian electorate has no choice for now of media outfit. The media houses operating from the perspective of the who becomes the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, so libertarian theory are likely to be more objective in their assessment of long ethnicity and religion remain the major considerations in the issues than media organizations having other considerations forming Nigerian politics. This is why this paper is recommending that the the basis of their editorial missions. The Nigerian media system has Federal Government adopts a model where the office of the President two types of ownership patterns (the public and the private ownership) of Nigeria will be rotated among the six geo-political zones as was with a preponderance of the government dominating the electronic earlier recommended by Chief Anthony Enahoro. It could be recalled media, while the private ownership controls the print media. The that Chief Enahoro evolved the ideology of the six geo-political zones majority of the private media houses in the country are owned by to minimize the negative effects of the north and south dichotomy Nigerian citizens of the southern extraction (Igbos, Yorubas and the in the Nigerian politics. The present political arrangement does not indigenes of the South-South region of Nigeria). Since ownership has appear to have made room for a fair representation by the six geo- the potential to influence the editorial content of the media, there is political zones in the office of the President of Nigeria. Therefore, the possibility that the politicians in the southern parts of the country while the ‘brain-box’ of the Nigerian politics is deciding on who may have more access to using the media than the citizens in other becomes the next President of Nigeria after Buhari’s administration, Citation: Oboh GE. Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention. Sociol Int J. 2017;1(3):79‒84. DOI: 10.15406/sij.2017.01.00013  Copyright: Influence of ethnicity and religion in Nigerian elections and the imperative of media intervention ©2017 Oboh 84 it is important to consider as a matter of national interest the election 7. Omu FIA. Ethnicity, Nationalism and Federalism in Nigeria: An of a Nigerian President of an Igbo origin. 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