Youth Electoral Participation, Youth Electoral Violence and Electioneering Process in Osun State

Abstract

Youths in Nigeria are part of the driving force of political activities like in the electoral process. Their enthusiasm toward participation in elections in Nigeria has been sustaining the democratic election value in the country. It is however observed that youths are not popular as elector or occupants of political officers) upon all their vigorous involvement in all other political events. This research assessed the motive for youths' participation in the electoral process in Osun State. which is the study area. Also, the mixed research design was used such that both quantitative and qualitative data were .gathered through questionnaire and in-depth interview. Descriptive statistics of tables, frequency distribution and percentages were used to analyse the questionnaire while content analysis was used to analyse the in-depth interview. Our findings revealed that youth's population in Osun state are mostly low-income earners, gasping for economic sustenance and therefore consider election participation as a survival means. They participate mostly in the electoral process, not because of loyalty to exercise their civic right, but it is due to factors like material gifts from the politicians, job promises and, or infrastructural facilities promises by the adult politicians etc. The research, therefore, recommended that governments at all levels in Nigeria should consider youth for better electoral education. while INEC and political parties should also work out mechanisms internally aimed at enhancing youth participation at the governance level