Trust and Reputation in Nigeria’s Electoral Process: The Context and Conundrum

Election is the hallmark of democracy. Any democratic regime that does not conduct election will be regarded as a dictatorship. The trust and reputation built on the electoral process impede its credibility and public acceptability. The higher the level of trust and reputation of the electoral process, the higher the acceptability of the leaders that emerges. The electoral process in Nigeria is in a state of total relapse, confusion and quagmire. To what extent does the reputation of the electoral process make Nigerians trust its process and output? How can Nigeria develop out of the electoral process conundrum credible leaders to emerge in the country? Modernization theory is used to explain the urgent need for Nigeria to develop its electoral processes. Methodology uses the Afrobarometer time series data. Rapid growth and development are products of the electoral process that has public trust.