ELECTIONS AND CRISIS OF ACCOUNTABILITY IN NIGERIA GOVERNANCE: A CAUSAL ANALYSIS

Nigeria is a troubled nation–state grappling with myriad challenges of national development. Accordingly, this paper argued that these daunting challenges stem from failure of accountability in governance exacerbated by flawed process of election. In reference to secondary source of data collection and, non– observational method, the researchers explored issues underlying irregularities that fraught Nigerian election process and its effects in the process of state governance. Theory of structural–functionalism was applied to illuminate the vicious cycle of failed elections and crises of accountable governance from the perspective of dysfunctionality of structures and roles in Nigerian political system. The discourse further revealed that election chaos in Nigeria is historic (despite intermittent efforts to strengthen its process) with multifarious effects on governance structures and process. From these findings, the discourse recommends plausible measures for new attitudinal orientation among other fundamentals to strengthen state institutions for credible elections and accountability in governance.