![Sample our Social Sciences journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/110822/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Social-Sciences.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
The study analyzes President Obama electoral diplomacy during the 2015 Nigerian election in distinct sense: persuasive appeals, and describes its differential effects on electoral behavior in Nigeria. Obama’s electoral diplomacy had counterintuitive effects – resulted to vote-switching and electoral misconduct. Based on qualitative research methods, the study revealed that the U.S. electoral diplomacy in Nigeria unwittingly undermined electoral credibility, even after effectively influencing peoples’ electoral behavior and choices toward the directions/interests of US foreign policy objectives and priorities in Nigeria. The US should assist Nigeria in achieving the goal of strengthening electoral institutions and frameworks through inter-agency support and electoral aid.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
1. Interviews with a 45 year-old House of Representative member, Abuja on 21 January 2016; two local-level politicians and a young civil society leader along Somade Crescent Surulere, Lagos on 28 January 2016.
2. Interviews with local government chairman, Uzo Uwani, Enugu on 4 February 2016; three APC party candidates for House of Assembly in Lagos state, and two PDP officials, along Megbon Primary School Mushin, Lagos on 27–29 January 2016.
3. This was a common opinion among all the interviewees. It reflected opinions of all PDP officials and stakeholders interviewed in Abuja, Lagos and Enugu.
4. Interviews with three APC candidates for House of Assembly in Lagos state, along Megbon Primary School Mushin, Lagos on 29–31 March 2016.
5. Interviews with two PDP officials, along Megbon Primary School Mushin, Lagos on 30 March 2016; a PDP councilor in Enugu North LGA on 7 March 2016, and two PDP chieftains, along Oshodi road, Lagos on 24 March 2016.
6. Interviews with three APC party candidates for House of Assembly in Lagos state; and two PDP officials, along Megbon Primary School Mushin, Lagos on 29–31 March 2016.
7. Interview with a female electoral officer Uzo-Uwani LGA, Enugu on 23 March 2016; two INEC senior officials in INEC office, Enugu North LGA Secretariat, along Nkwonike, Enugu on 13 May 2016.
8. This reflected in opinions of about 85% of participants in FGD across Abuja, Lagos and Enugu.
9. Interviews with three PDP top officials in Bwari Council Area, and two PDP leaders, in Gwagwalada Council Area, along Secretariat road, Gwagwalada, Abuja on 25–27 January 2016.
10. Interviews with two PDP officials at Enugu South LGA headquaters, along Nnobi street, off Ziks Avenue, Enugu South LGA, Enugu; and one PDP agent at Enugu North LGA Secretariat, along Nkwonike, Enugu on 14–17 March 2016.
11. Interviews with two INEC staff, in INEC office, in Gwagwalada Council Area, along Secretariat road, Gwagwalada, Abuja on 26 January 2016.
12. Interviews with two middle-aged civil society leader in Gwagwalada, Abuja; and 51 year old human rights advocate in Bwari, Abuja on 25–27 January 2016.
13. Interview with two INEC staff, in INEC office, Oshodi road, Oshodi LGA, Lagos; and one electoral officer, in INEC Office, Surulere LGA, Somade Crescent Surulere, Lagos on 2–3 February 2016.
14. Interviews with two middle-aged civil society leader in Gwagwalada, Abuja; and 51 year old human rights advocate in Bwari, Abuja on 25–27 January 2016.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Victor Chidubem Iwuoha
Dr. Victor Chidubem Iwuoha is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He is currently serving as Editorial Board member of two Springer’s journals, namely: Society and SN Social Sciences. His research interests include: international relations, development studies, diplomacy, peace and conflict studies, political economy, strategic studies and nuclear politics.
Elias Chukwuemeka Ngwu
Dr. Elias Chukwuemeka Ngwu is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also teaches in the Social Science Unit, School of General Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. His research interests include: international relations, peace and conflict studies, pubic policy and political economy.
Jasper Chidiebube Uche
Dr. Jasper Chidiebube Uche has served for ten years in Government in various capacities, including the National Assembly, Abuja, before joining academia. He teaches at the Department of Political Science, and Institute of Development Studies of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He has consulted for a number of organizations which include: Centre for Democracy & Development (CDD), CLEEN Foundation, European Union I-WASH Project, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). His research interests are: governance, political economy, and conflict/peace studies.
Victor Chibuike Obikaeze
Dr. Victor Chibuike Obikaeze is a lecturer in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria. He is a member of Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA). He is published in a number of international journals. His research interests include: International Relations, foreign policy, Identity politics, governance, and development studies.
Olihe Ononogbu
Dr. Olihe Ononogbu is a Senior Lecturer and holds a PhD in International Relations at the Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her research interests include: International Relations, peace studies, political analysis and development studies.