IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SOCIAL WELFARE RESEARCH (JPASWR )

E-ISSN 2504-3597
P-ISSN 2695-2440
VOL. 10 NO. 2 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jpaswr.v10.no2.2025.pg79.92

---

Local Government Elections and Democratisation in Bayelsa State: A Study of the 2024 Local Election

Frank Prince Diepreye, Love Obiani Arugu PhD

---

Abstract

This study examines the implications of local government elections for democratization in Nigeria by assessing 2024 local government elections in Bayelsa State. It specifically focuses on ascertaining if the electoral outcomes reflected the preferences of electorates, and if the performance of democratic institutions during the elections showed a commitment to democratization. These two core objectives were crafted following the premise that local government areas, being the closest to the grassroots, should bolster participation and expand democracy. Weber’s theory of Patrimonialism was employed as a theoretical framework to explore the dynamics of political power and governance at the grassroots level. The study adopted a mixed-method approach, combining data from quantitative and qualitative sources,

keywords:

Democratisation, Democratic Institutions, Elections, Grassroots, Participation.

---

Achimugu, H., Stephen, M. R., & Agboni, U. J. (2013). Local government service delivery in
Nigeria: An empirical comparison of government efforts and the people’s
expectations. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 4(6), 335-345.
Adeyemi, O. O. (2019). Local government administration in Nigeria: A historical
perspective. Journal of Public Administration and Governance, 9(2), 161-179.
Arowolo, D. E., & Aluko, O. A. (2012). Democracy, political participation and good
governance in Nigeria. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 1(3),
797-809.
Dibie, R. (2003). Local government public servants performance and citizens participation in
governance in Nigeria. International Journal of Public Administration, 26(8-9), 1059-
Fatile, J. O., & Okewale, R. A. (2013). Corruption and democracy in Nigerian local
government. Review of Public Administration and Management, 1(3), 140-155.
Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) – Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Gambo, K. (2015). Local government elections and democratic consolidation in
Nigeria. Journal of Research in National Development: An International Publication
of the Transcampus Interdisciplinary Research and Study Group, 13(2A), 1-12
INEC (2023). Total number of registered voters and collected PVCs for the 2023 Governorship
election: Bayelsa State. https://inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Bayelsa-
2023-Governorship-PU-PVC-Collection-Figures.pdf
Mbah, O. (2024). CLO shows concern over April 6 Bayelsa council elections.
https://leadership.ng/clo-shows-concern-over-april-6-bayelsa-council-elections/
Mulisa, F. (2022). When does a researcher choose a quantitative, qualitative, or mixed research
approach?. Interchange, 53(1), 113-131.
Nwanna, C. R. (2014). Local government elections in Nigeria: A Comparative analysis of three
states. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 1(11), 180-
Olawoye, T. O., & Oduniyi, O. O. (2023). Local government administration: The state
governors and deficit of democracy in grassroots Nigeria. UCC Law Journal, 3(1), 322-
Olusegun, S. (2024). Voters’ Apathy, Boycotts by Political Parties Characterise Bayelsa LG
Polls. This Day. https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/04/07/voters-apathy-
boycotts-by-political-parties-characterise-bayelsa-lg-polls/
Oluwasuji, O. C., & Okajare, O. E. (2021). Participatory democracy, local government
elections and the politics of the states’ ruling parties in Nigeria. International Journal
of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 1, 370-378.
Onimisi, T. (2022). Democratic practices and local government elections in Nigeria:
Demystifying the emerging issues. Wukari International Studies Journal, 6(1), 19-19.
Uche, A. (2014). Analysis of local government performance and leadership in Nigeria. Africa’s
Public Service Delivery & Performance Review, 2(4), 130-150.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back