Abstract
This study intends to address the gap in the literature on the influence of anger on voting behaviour in Nigeria. In 2015 for the first time since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, a sitting president was defeated by an opposition candidate. Apart from the traditional determinants of voting behaviour in Nigeria, such as Ethnic and Religious considerations, what role did anger play in this presidential election?
A case study approach was used for this study for its suitability to investigate the influence of anger on voting behaviour in Nigeria. The youth emerged as the preferred demographic because they constitute a significant voting bloc in Nigeria. Also, this select group is easily identifiable. Data were collected through personal semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and questionnaires.
The findings from the study show that the media used the agenda-setting theory to determine the key issues in the election cycle, and voters relied on news media to source information, which could have an emotional impact on the masses, and which in the end triggered anger. While the initial assumption was that the voters’ anger was directed primarily at the incumbent, this study showed that both the incumbent and the opposition candidate were at the receiving end (bi-directional anger).
These findings point to a need for the government to take the following key issues more seriously: the safeguarding of human lives and the security of properties on election day, the easing of all restrictions on the movement of persons on election day, as well as an effective voter sensitisation and education programme regarding these issues in preparation for election day.
Keywords: Voter behaviour and Anger, Nigerian Youths, Nigeria 2015 Presidential Elections, Nigerian Elections