Electoral Promises and Democratic Accountability: Strengthening Government–Citizen Engagement for National Unity in Nigeria
https://doi.org/10.56225/ijassh.v4i3.440
Keywords:
Accountability, Citizen Engagement, Electoral Promises, Fiscal Constraints, Governance, Nigeria, TransparencyAbstract
This study examines the dynamics of electoral promises in Nigeria’s political landscape between 2015 and 2023, with a particular focus on their implications for government–citizen engagement and national unity. Employing a mixed-methods approach, it identifies the factors that drive overpromising, assesses the extent to which fiscal and administrative constraints hinder fulfillment, and explores strategies for strengthening citizen participation. Data were collected through surveys, interviews, media content analysis, and official documents across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The findings indicate that ethnic and regional sentiments, amplified by media narratives, contribute to unrealistic electoral pledges. Fiscal pressures and bureaucratic inefficiencies further impede policy implementation, eroding public trust and diminishing democratic participation. Grounded in Social Contract, Principal–Agent, Political Communication, and Public Choice theories, the study reveals how weak accountability mechanisms widen the gap between political rhetoric and governance outcomes. It argues that evidence-based pledging, transparent fiscal management, and institutionalized citizen engagement are essential for restoring public confidence. In general, the research contributes to ongoing debates on democratic accountability and governance reform in Nigeria.
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