FACTORS INFLUENCING VOTERS APATHY AS IMPLICATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL NIGERIAN ELECTION: ANALYTICAL PERCEPTION OF PEOPLE IN OYO TOWN

Abstract

Fundamentally, the national task of empowered body (Independent National Electoral Commission) is to conduct a free, fair and transparent election nationwide,but the seeming declining people's interest to participate in every election as they have been discouraged and challenged by a number of factors thereby calls for questioning. This study therefore aims at examine perception of people in Oyo town on the factors influencing voters apathy as implications for successful election in Nigeria through analytical process. The study adopted a descriptive research design and primary sources of data collection as method of information gathering. The instrument for data collection was questionnaire, The population for the study comprised all categories of people at different locations include local government secretariats, markets, schools and areas/streets in Oyo Town, as far as they are qualified to enfranchise or participate in the elections. The sample involved a total of one hundred and sixty (160) respondents. Data collected were analysed by using Special Package for Social Science (SPSS) and the results were presented in simple percentages. Consequently, the results from the study revealed that various factors constituent to voters apathy in every election in Nigeria and that have contributed negatively to successful election in the country because people's participation or voting turn out declining in every election. Therefore, the study recommended that government, non government organisation, electoral body, political parties,religious organisations, education sector, individual, society have roles to play to encourage free, fair and standard elections in Nigeria.