Credible elections in nigeria: Panacea for stability, growth and development authours

Credible election is sacrosanct for the realization of all the index of development. There cannot be enduring stability and growth in any nation with election process that is clean, acceptable and credible. Therefore, election without integrity is farce and Nigeria in particular cannot grow with election rigging. Hence, this paper utilizing the secondary data studied credible elections in Nigeria as a panacea for stability, growth and development. The study found that credible elections serve as checks on the excesses of government in their policies and programmes, give the electorates voice in the running of the affairs of their country and promotes peace and stability as the winners represent the wishes of the voters. The paper also found out that elections in Nigeria are militated by forces ranging from poor/weak electoral laws, ignorant voters, weak institutions of the states particularly the Independent Electoral Commission and the security agencies among others. To achieve credible election, the study recommended among others that the 2018 Electoral Act as passed by the National Assembly be signed into law and obeyed, Electoral College system be adopted for gubernatorial and presidential elections.