Covenant University Journal of Politics and International Affairs

Fake News and Political Misinformation: Implications for Democratic Process in Nigeria

John Adegoke Akinola — 2024-12-02

The media space in Nigeria has morphed over the years from traditional to digital outlets, with social media as a critical instrument in information dissemination. The transition has revolutionised and democratised the distribution and consumption of
information. However, this has also created opportunities for fast and widespread fake news (misinformation and disinformation). Given this, this study examines the implications of political misinformation for the democratic process in Nigeria. Using a qualitative approach based on secondary sources and content and thematic analysis, this study discovers that the unregulated nature of new media, with the proliferation of fake news, consequently impacts voter attitudes, electoral outcomes, public trust, and social cohesion, all of which bears consequences on the country’s democratic process. It further highlights the government's endeavours to regulate social media to contain the dissemination of news that threatens the political, economic and social foundations of the Nigerian state. It proposes recommendations, including strengthening media literacy, collaborative fact-checking, promoting social media platform responsibility, revising the legal framework, international collaboration, encouraging responsible online behaviour, and launching public awareness campaigns. These recommendations collectively aim to safeguard Nigeria's democratic integrity, uphold public opinion, and fortify the credibility of its institutions within the digital age's interconnected world.

Judiciary and the Doctrine of Separation of Powers in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic

Hakeem Olatunji TIJANI — 2024-12-03

As a branch of the government, the judiciary plays a crucial role in guaranteeing that, in a democracy, the principle of separation of powers is rigorously upheld. Like other democratic governments worldwide, Nigeria's 1999 Constitution upholds the principle of
separation of powers, which greatly influences how well a nation is run. Once again, the judicial branch is a crucial political institution because of its many functions, which are rooted in the rule of law, and safeguard a democratic government to remain viable.
However, the judiciary's numerous transgressions, which range from open corruption to inadequate case management, have rendered it weak. This paper examines the judiciary's role as a branch of government in upholding Nigeria's theory of separation of powers using secondary data. It determines that the rigorous adherence to the theory has not been upheld by the judiciary. It, therefore recommends that, among others, the implementation of the 1999 Constitution's Section 121(3) that ensures the heads of the courts receive payment from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State for any sum standing to the credit of the judiciary, members of the Executive and Legislative branches who violate the 1999 Constitution's provision on the financial autonomy of the Judiciary as reflected in Section 121 (3) be subject to jail time as a criminal penalty. Also, the states should not be involved in the financing of capital projects at state high courts and their subsidiaries to break the governors' control over these entities.

Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Energy Security in East Africa: Challenges and Opportunities

Aaron Ayeta Mulyanyuma — 2024-12-04

Climate change poses significant challenges to energy security in East Africa, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and creating new risks for the region's energy infrastructure, supply chains, and access to reliable energy sources. Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events threaten the reliability of hydroelectric power generation, a vital component of the region's energy mix. Additionally, agricultural productivity and water availability shifts impact biomass and hydropower resources, further straining energy systems. However, amidst these challenges lie opportunities for innovation and adaptation. Investments in renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, offer sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels and can enhance energy resilience. Strengthening regional cooperation, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing adaptive capacity are essential for mitigating the impacts of climate change on energy security in East Africa and fostering a sustainable energy future for the region

Patron-Client Politics and the 2023 Governorship Election in Enugu State, Nigeria

Udeogu, Celestine Uchechukwu — 2024-12-05

The study empirically examines the interplay between patron-client politics and the dynamics of the 2023 governorship election in Enugu state, Nigeria. Until the 2023governorship election, political domination and repeated arm-twisting of other political parties by the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its extended powerful party machine (the Ebeano political family) almost rendered the state a one-party state since 1999. The objectives of the study are to ascertain whether Peter Mbah’s association with the Ebeano political dynasty contributed to his emergence as both the PDP flag bearer and governor of Enugu state, on the one hand; and to ascertain the role of Peter Obi’s personality cult in the competitiveness of the 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. Utilizing the
patron-client theory, the study investigates the manner in which patronage network exerted influence on electoral dynamics and voters’ behaviour during the gubernatorial contest. The mixed methods approach, encompassing qualitative interviews, archival scrutiny, and questionnaire survey analysis, was adopted. The findings show that the Ebeano leaders were not as key to Mbah’s poll victory as they were to his emergence as the party’s flagbearer; and that Peter Obi’s personality cult injected unprecedented competitiveness to the 2023 gubernatorial election in Enugu state. The study recommends mitigating the less desirable effects of patron-client politics and promoting more equitable, transparent and democratic political process in Nigeria through appropriate legislations and emphasis on civic/political education in schools.

Safeguarding Taiwan's Sovereignty and Advancing Economic Relations with China: A Japanese Perspective

Adedotun Jamiu Saka — 2024-12-06

The recent Taiwan and China conflict can be traced back to 1949 after the end of the civil war between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and the Republic of China (ROC); the PRC won the civil war, and they took over the Mainland China and the ROC retreated to Taiwan and maintain the control of Taiwan till date. The PRC wants a unified China, and the ROC wants an independent Taiwan, which has increased tension in Asia. Japan has official relations with the PRC and unofficial relations with the ROC. PRC is the biggest Japanese trade partner, and a full-blown PRC and ROC conflict will affect the bilateral trade between the PRC and Japan; hence, this paper focuses on how Japan can prevent the Chinese takeover of Taiwan and increase its economic ties with China. The paper adopted a qualitative research method; secondary data and thematic analysis were used to analyze the study's objectives. The study proposed policy recommendations on how Japan can prevent the PRC from taking over ROC and how Japan can improve economic ties with the PRC amid the conflict. Some of the proposed recommendations of the study are that Japan should broker a peace and conflict resolution between China and Taiwan, Japan should review Article 9 of her constitution, a tripartite ministry of trade that involves China, Taiwan, and Japan should be proposed, and a prior agreement on the status and management of each waterway or straits for economic purpose.

From Tradition to Trafficking: Sex Work, Stereotypes, and Legal Challenges in Nigeria and India

Zekeri Momoh — 2024-12-09

Commercial sex work is among the oldest professions globally, governed by a patchwork of laws ranging from full legality in some parts of Europe to outright prohibition elsewhere. This study investigates the legal dimensions and ethical considerations surrounding prostitution, focusing on factors driving individuals into sex work in India and Nigeria and examining the unique contexts within these countries. Adopting a doctrinal approach, this study involves a comprehensive examination of secondary sources. Findings reveal that legal responses to prostitution vary greatly across nations, from the death penalty to total legality. Contributing factors to female trafficking include poverty, unemployment, and societal norms, with cultural and religious customs emerging as significant influences, particularly in India. In Nigeria, while the constitution prohibits gender-based discrimination and the National Gender Policy promotes women’s empowerment, there remains an urgent need to evaluate whether these frameworks adequately protect the human rights of vulnerable women. Despite these legal safeguards, deeply rooted patriarchal values, traditions that subordinate women, high illiteracy rates, feminized poverty, and the low social status of women leave many Nigerian women susceptible to violence.

The Quest for National Integration in Nigeria: The Federal Character Principle Revisited

Lambert Chidi Nwachukwu — 2024-12-10

The federal character principle has remained one of the most sensitive issues in Nigeria starting from the late seventies. This is because it has become a necessary factor to Nigeria’s federal practice, as it has been applied in the composition and operation of
virtually every public concern like the civil service, the armed forces, education, government appointments, party politics, etc. After about four decades of the introduction of the federal character principle, this paper re-visits the principle vis-à-vis Nigeria’s quest
for national integration. In doing this, the paper relied substantially on secondary method of data collection and content analysis. The core assumptions of the Social Justice Theory as developed by John Rawls (1971), were appropriated for the study. The paper finds out
that the implementation of the federal character principle has come with a good deal of commendations, controversies, rancour, misgivings and criticisms over the years. The paper argues that as long as Nigeria remains a federation with diversities, the need to balance these diverse interests in the country will always be there. The federal character principle as the normative expression of the equal rights of Nigerians to participate in the affairs of the country was therefore formulated to take care of these differing interests. What is therefore required is to continue to find ways and means of making the principle acceptable to all and sundry by dealing with the rancour, ill-feelings, misgivings and problems that come with its implementation so as to bring about the needed unity and national integration. The paper accordingly made some recommendations in this regard.

ECOWAS, the Politics of ECO Currency and Economic Development in West Africa

Felix Ayeni — 2024-12-11

This paper examined the attempt made by ECOWAS member states concerning the adoption of ECO Currency and identified the challenges militating against the monetary policy vis-à-vis the laid down criteria. Group Theory was adopted for this study. Also, secondary method of data collection was adopted for the study. The findings revealed that the inability to fulfil the macro-economic
convergence criteria is the bane of adopting the ECO Currency, coupled with the trust deficit syndrome in relation to the disunity amongst member states; over the subject matter. The study concluded that the interest shown by President Emmanuel Macron of France appears to be partially responsible for the trust deficit vis-à-vis the disunity in adopting the ECO Currency. Consequently, this study recommended that there should be transparency amongst ECOWAS member states in order to come to terms with operating a unified monetary policy that would subsequently lead to the implementation of Eco-currency. Besides, member states should look inward in order to guarantee economic development and enhance financial benefits for residents within the sub-region.

An Analysis of the Paradox of Dumping and Economic Development in Nigeria.

Funke Amanda Olowoniyi — 2024-12-12

Protectionist policies have failed to stem the tide of second-hand clothes imports in Nigeria despite its declaration as contraband. Nigeria’s attachment and preference for foreign goods, among other factors, continue to further dumping from different nations.
This study assesses why dumping is still thriving despite government protectionist policies. It explores the policy-practice gap and uncovers critical factors undermining Nigeria’s textile industry, where dumping poses a significant threat. Using thematic analysis and
expert interviews, we identified essential obstacles to policy success: bureaucratic inadequacies, corruption, the intricacies of global value chains, and smuggling. The study was situated within the ambits of the theory of Dependency and national comparative
advantage. The study reveals that protectionist policies thrive with strong institutions, infrastructures, and supporting industries in a nation. It highlights the need for pragmatic policy reforms. By implication, policymakers in Nigeria must consider a multifaceted
approach to the menace of second–hand textile dumping. The study recommends that a holistic strategy combining capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and regional cooperation is vital to combat dumping rather than merely focusing on protectionism.

Rebooting the System: Nigerian Foreign Policy and Economic Development beyond the 2023 General Elections

Casmir Chukwuka Mbaegbu — 2024-12-09

The foreign policy of nations is directed at harnessing and mobilizing their foreign policies towards economic development of the domestic structures. This study xrays the questions: What is the consistent behavioral pattern of the present Nigerian government in external relations for her economic development in the wake of the 2023 general elections? Is the weak capacity of the Nigerian leaders to mobilize and deploy productive forces towards the realization of the goals and objectives of Nigerian foreign policy implicated in the external dependence of the Nigeria’s economy? The study was anchored on system and complex interdependence theoretical frameworks while data (documentary sources) was generated and interpreted through content analysis and trends
analytical technique. By exploring historical contexts and contemporary issues, this study offers insights into how Nigeria can position itself as a leading player on the global stage while addressing the pressing domestic socio-economic challenges. Ultimately, the study
found that a proactive and coherent foreign policy framework based on creativity and indigenous technologies are essential for achieving sustainable economic development beyond the 2023 general elections. The study concluded that technological capability which creates new industrial and economic bases is underdeveloped in the pursuit of the country’s foreign policy and thus, make her leaders dependent on foreign aid while promoting the economic interest of the metropolitan bourgeoisie.