ETHNICITY AND 2023 POST ELECTION VIOLENCE IN LAGOS STATE: A STUDY OF ALIMOSHO LOCAL GOVERNMENT

ABSTRACT vi Post-election violence remains a persistent threat to democratic stability in Nigeria, especially in multi-ethnic urban communities. This study examined post-election violence and the influence of ethnicity during the 2023 general elections in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State. The objectives included assessing the nature of the violence, evaluating the role of ethnic identity in its occurrence, examining the impact on democracy and determining the effectiveness of stakeholder interventions in curbing the unrest. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and utilised a random sampling technique to distribute 400 questionnaires, out of which 372 were retrieved and analysed using SPSS (version 26). Descriptive statistics were used for response interpretation, while Chi-square was applied to test the hypotheses. Anchored on the ethnic mobilisation theory, findings revealed that ethnic affiliation significantly influenced the outbreak and nature of violence. It also established that the violence disrupted democratic processes, weakened civic trust and discouraged future participation. The study concluded that while stakeholders such as religious leaders and NGOs made notable efforts, their impact was uneven. The study recommended community-based civic education, institutional peace structures, judicial accountability and inclusive electoral reforms to mitigate ethnic-based electoral conflicts and promote peaceful coexistence in Nigeria’s democratic system. Keywords: democracy, democracy stability, election, ethnicity, post-election violence