UNIVERSAL SUFFRAGE IN NIGERIA: DEMOCRACY'S DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD

This paper critically examines the concept of universal suffrage in Nigeria, highlighting its role as a double-edged sword in the country’s democratic process. While the right to vote is a constitutional guarantee for all Nigerian citizens above the age of 18, its implementation has exposed significant vulnerabilities, particularly among economically disadvantaged and uneducated populations. The paper explores how poverty, vote buying, and underage voting undermine electoral integrity, compromising the true representation of the people's will. It argues that these challenges hinder the development of an accountable political system and perpetuate poor governance, as elected leaders are more often beholden to financial backers than to the electorate. The doctrinal method of research is adopted for this study. Furthermore, the study also investigates the role of local governments and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in addressing these issues through stricter voter verification processes, improved voter education campaigns, and poverty alleviation programs. The study found out that vote buying remains one of the most pervasive threats to electoral integrity, as politicians exploit the economic vulnerabilities of citizens to secure votes through financial inducements and thus inter alia recommended that a comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, emphasizing the need for greater transparency, enforcement of electoral laws, and initiatives that reduce socio-economic vulnerabilities be put in place to curtail these vices. Again, the paper advocates for responsible universal suffrage to safeguard Nigeria's democracy from manipulation and ensure that every vote truly counts.