The impact of manipulated re-elections on accountability and legitimacy of democratic regimes in Africa: Observations from Nigeria, Zambia and Kenya

Abstract

This study analyzes causes and impact of pharisaic free and fair elections on African democracies. It is absurd
when democratic governments in Africa perform poorly in office, yet they continue to renew their mandates in
supposedly free and fair elections. This problem derives from regarding political offices by incumbent elites as
sources of private wealth accumulation without suffering negative consequences. This engenders poor
government performances, inveterate corruption and vitiated accountability. As political elites depend
extensively on mobilization of ethnic solidarity and electoral frauds to retain power, the problem continues to
recycle, with deleterious consequences for democracy in Africa.