Politics, Violence, and Historical Change in Ekiti: A Study of Aramoko-Ekiti from the First Republic to the Fourth

Abstract

From time immemorial, violence has manifested in various ways and has had a severe impact on human existence. Several aspects of human life, such as economy, infrastructure, and migration, are accompanied by violence, and political activities are not exempt. The peaceful conduct of elections is an indispensable component of democratic governance. However, the Nigerian electoral process has been marred by recurring incidents of political violence. Ekiti State, in particular, and Aramoko-Ekiti by extension, has witnessed significant episodes of political violence during the 2007, 2011, 2015, and 2019 general elections. This article, which is of significant importance, employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating surveys, interviews, and secondary sources, to gather data and investigate the causes and consequences of political violence in Aramoko-Ekiti. The article provides an analysis of the deep-rootedness of political violence, its causes, such as Ethnic and religious tensions, use of inflammatory language, fierce competition for resources and power among political actors. As a unit and focus of analysis, the Aramoko area in Ekiti is examined in the context of the political violence that erupted following the 2007 general elections and continued up to the 2023 general election. The article presents practical recommendations, including strengthening traditional institutions, robust voter education, and scaling up community security to prevent the repetitive pattern of political violence, particularly during electioneering periods.

Keywords: Violence, Resolution, Politicians, Political Violence, Ekiti